Letter from Board President

Board President MICHAEL ANDRY

Dear Asheville Symphony friends and family,

In January of 2020, we were wonderfully oblivious to all that we would face over the following months. Who knew that we would be forced to cancel nearly two years of live performances, including an entire Amadeus Festival? Who knew that our then Executive Director would take an exciting new career opportunity, necessitating a national search for his successor? And who knew that the Asheville Symphony would rise to the occasion and deliver a fantastically diverse series of events, staying connected with its patrons and re-emerging stronger than ever before?

Many of you likely participated in the ASO’s Splendor on Your Grass program, offering intimate chamber music concerts on the front lawns, driveways, and backyards of our patrons for months. And many of you likely also enjoyed Aaron Diehl’s virtual piano recital, broadcast from Steinway Hall in New York City, or the world-class virtual performances that we created in the Diana Wortham Theatre, featuring Darko, ASO musicians, and a variety of soloists. Some of you may even have experienced the multi-cultural, virtual educational experiences developed for our Music in the Schools program, in collaboration with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, aka Cactus.

In July, we welcomed a new Executive Director, Daniel M. Crupi, who joined us from The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. With his new energy, connections and vision, there are great things ahead for the ASO in the next few years. Pay attention—this should be very fun.

This past September, as COVID restrictions allowed, we presented a fantastic, free performance to an absolutely packed Pack Square Park. We estimate that about 7,000 Ashevillians enjoyed the energy, weather, and community of that extraordinary evening.

We hope that you are delighted to return to live performances. We know that our musicians, Darko, and the ASO staff and Board are excited to be back and thrill audiences once again, while simultaneously abiding by government mandates to ensure that we are providing as safe an environment as possible. As this season evolves, and best practices on COVID evolve, please work with us as we continue to focus on your safety.

The Board is proud of the manner in which we made it through the last two years. It wasn’t easy—but we have emerged stronger and wiser, with excellent new leadership, and look forward to engaging and delighting you this season and into the future.

Michael Andry Board President