AF community invited to ‘adopt a musician'

It is common to hear of people adopting a child, a pet and even a highway, but what about adopting a musician?

The Chandler Symphony Orchestra offers a unique opportunity to individuals, families, companies, etc. with its “Honor a Musician” program. Pam Hahn, principle harpist with the orchestra, is one of the musicians available for “adoption.”

The orchestra is made up entirely of volunteers and all their concerts are free so this program helps get them the funding they need for advertising, renting music, hall rental, etc.

“The musicians play without payment,” Hahn said, “we do it because we love to play.”

According to Hahn, adopting, or sponsoring, a musician allows the benefactor to have their names printed in the programs next to the musician they are supporting. Hahn believes this is a good idea for businesses who want to get their name out because it shows they take an interest in the local arts.

“There are different levels of giving. People can sponsor a musician, a section, a concert or even the whole season.” Hahn said.

Dr. Kelly de Simone of Eye Priority is a local business owner that participated in this opportunity.

“It just sounded like a good thing to do,” de Simone said. “It’s local and it’s somebody doing something they love and I always enjoy supporting that.”

This season the orchestra is performing in the Desert Vista High School auditorium. They are on hiatus from their normal venue, the Chandler Center for the Arts, while it is undergoing renovations. According to president of the Chandler Symphony Board of Directors, Nell Dunivent-Hill, the renovations will include an upgrading of the heating/cooling systems, lighting capabilities, repairs to some of the theater seating and more.

The venue committee for the orchestra chose the DV auditorium because it was relatively close to their core audience, had the space they needed for the audience and orchestra, and a shell backdrop for the stage.

Hahn, who lives in Ahwatukee Foothills, said she enjoys having the concerts so close to her home, but said she also wishes that more people in Ahwatukee Foothills knew about the orchestra.

“We really want to get more people to come to the concerts,” she said, “It’s packed in Chandler, but not as many people know about us here.”

Hahn hopes that local businesses will take advantage of the “Honor a Musician” program, especially while they are in Ahwatukee Foothills. Prices for the different musicians are listed at www.chandlersymphony.org/honor.htm.

Brandi Bell is interning this semester for the Ahwatukee Foothills News. She is a sophomore at Arizona State University.