Biz Magazine | Vol. 23, Issue 5 by Albany Area Chamber of Commerce

BECOME PART OF ALBANY’S BUSINESS ORGANIZATION Membership in the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce helps you CONNECT to other businesses and valuable resources; BUILD on current momentum and maximize INFLUENCE change in your industry sector and in the community; and LEAD your peers into the next era of prosperity for the Albany Area. Investment levels are designed to help support your unique goals, giving you access to resources and help your business thrive, at any stage in its growth. Learn more at albanyga.com

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C LA I R E F OX

Hillard A MAESTRO'S MUSICAL LEGACY

For more than three decades, Dr. Claire Fox Hillard has been the guiding force behind the Albany Symphony Orchestra. As the music director and conductor of the Albany Symphony Orchestra since 1988, Hillard's legacy is one that has transformed the cultural landscape of the region. Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., Hillard's journey into the world of music began at an early age when he started studying the piano and the violin. His passion for conducting was ignited at the age of 18 when he made his conducting debut, foreshadowing the illustrious career that lay ahead. Hillard earned his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Iowa, becoming one of the youngest conductors to be appointed as the music director of a professional orchestra at the age of 25. His educational journey was enriched by the guidance of renowned conductors such as James Dixon, Leonard Slatkin, Pierre Boulez, Maurice Abravanel, Jorge Mester and John Barnett, each of whom contributed to shaping his unique style and approach to orchestral leadership. Hillard has received numerous career accolades. Notably, he is the recipient of the League of American Orchestra's distinguished Helen M. Thompson Award, a recognition of his outstanding contributions to the world of classical music. Georgia Trend has also honored him as one of the "outstanding leaders in Georgia," a testament to his significant impact on the

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cultural scene in the state. The Meridian (Miss.) Council for the Arts honored Hillard with its Artist’s Achievement Award, and he has been awarded a Dream Award from Albany’s annual King Celebration. In addition to his role with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Hillard wears many other musical hats. He serves as an associate professor at Albany State University, nurturing the next generation of musical talent. He also lends his expertise as the conductor for the Gulf Coast Steinway Society Concerto Competition, furthering the cause of emerging musicians. In 2023, he began a four-year term as the president of the International Conductors Guild. Hillard's influence extends far beyond Albany. He has previously served as the music director for orchestras in various locations, including the St. Joseph Symphony in Missouri, the Missouri Western Philharmonia, and the Meridian Symphony Orchestras in Mississippi. Additionally, he served as music advisor to the Cobb Symphony Orchestra. His wide-ranging experience encompasses teaching positions at Indiana State University and Missouri Western State University, where he shared his knowledge and passion for music with students. One of the hallmarks of Hillard's career is his commitment to diversity and innovation in programming. His repertoire seamlessly weaves together major symphonic works, choral compositions, opera, American classics and new compositions. This versatility has earned him seven American Society of Composers, Authors and Publisher (ASCAP) awards for innovative programming. Hillard has collaborated with a host of distinguished composers and artists, including Virgil Thomson, Aaron Copland, Alvin Singleton, Adolphus Hailstork, Hilary Hahn, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill, William Warfield, Ray Charles and actresse Debbie Reynolds. His musical collaborations span genres, from classical to jazz, and have left an indelible mark on the world of music. Notably, Hillard has graced international stages, making

his European debut in 1994 conducting the Karlovarsky Symfonicky Orchestra. Since then, he has conducted orchestras across the globe, including those in the Czech Republic, Belgium, Romania, Honduras, Ukraine, Poland, Russia, Brazil and Kazakhstan. His international presence has further solidified his reputation as a distinguished conductor with a global perspective. Back on American soil, Hillard has also conducted an array of orchestras, from the Abilene Philharmonic to the Symphony of Southeast Texas, showcasing his versatility and adaptability as a conductor. In the realm of classical music, where tradition meets innovation, Hillard is a notable figure. His commitment to orchestral performance, education and musical diversity has made a lasting impact on the Albany Symphony Orchestra and the broader classical music community. Hillard's journey, fueled by passion and artistry, continues to inspire those who have the privilege of experiencing his musical direction.

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PERSPECTIVES

The challenge of competing principles

•Page B3

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July 18, 2023

The Albany

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Serving readers and online viewers in Metro Albany, Camilla, Tifton and Americus www.albanyherald.com

IN SPORTS

Cleanup underway at West Oglethorpe eyesore By Alan Mauldin alan.mauldin@albanyherald.com

ALBANY — The cleanup of a building that has been an eyesore for decades is welcome, but Albany officials are mostly in the dark about what’s going on at the former National Linen Service site. The building that housed the former business that rented and cleaned work uniforms has been near or at the top of elected officials’ cleanup lists for years, an eyesore with broken windows and possible contamination due

Since July 1, more than 87,000 adults without children in Georgia have been required to work at least 80 hours a month to receive benefits provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps.

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to cleaning chemicals used near the intersection of two busy thoroughfares, South Slappey Boulevard and West Oglethorpe Boulevard. “I can say praise be to God,” Albany City Commissioner Jon Howard said when told of the cleanup on Monday afternoon. “That place has been closed for 30-something years. It’s really an eyesore. The saving grace was that there were bushes where you couldn’t see it from the road.” At the site, wood and other materials were piled and being moved. The debris visible from the road-

way Monday included a mattress and a large number of tires that apparently have been dumped on the site. And while several city officials told The Albany Herald Monday that they were not aware of any activity at the location, a city official said that Concrete Enterprises has a demolition permit for the site. An company official did not confirm purchase of the site when contacted on Monday. At the time The Herald wrote a

Staff Photo: Alan Mauldin

An equipment operator moves debris at the 1125 W. Oglethorpe Blvd.

See CLEANUP, A5 site that once housed National Linen Service.

Phoebe CEO fills Dougherty Commission Find Us on FACEBOOK in on ongoing facebook.com/albanyherald projects By Alan Mauldin alan.mauldin@albanyherald.com

ALBANY — In a lengthy presentation on Monday, Phoebe Putney Health System President and CEO Scott Steiner gave the Dougherty County Commission some large numbers to consider: $1.8 billion in total economic impact, $425 million in annual payroll, $56 million in charity and indigent care, and $59.3 million in other community benefits. The presentation to the commission also outlined the way the health system is working to improve care at its facilities and train nurses locally that will provide service in the future. “It’s a big impact,” Steiner said. “(That) $56 million is the cost of providing care to those who do not have the ability to do so. Thanks to your partnership, we’re able to do that for 18,000 patients.”

306 W. Broad Ave. | Albany, GA 31702 229-888-9300 | www.albanyherald.com Photo contributed to Georgia Recorder by Deborah Myers

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