Syracuse University Students Attend Free Symphony World Premier Concert

Written October 15, 2008

Syracuse University's Graduate School Associate Dean and renown vocalists Eileen Strempel's face contorted in pain as her angelic soprano voice wrapped itself around the disturbing nocturnal sounds that seeped out of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra's instruments.

The dark and eerily beautiful songs Strempel sang effortlessly were part of framed composer Libby Larsen's world premier of "The Unbearable Stillness: Songs from the Balcony."

Amy Mertz, scheduler in the Setnor School of Music, is in charge of organizing events and ensuring that visiting artists have everything they need.

SSO performs at Syracuse University, at least once a semester, said Mertz.

"It's important form on campus because a lot of the school of music students have teachers in the SSO," Mertz said. "Just as their teachers support them, it's important for them to see their teachers [perform]."

The world premier performance, which was free and open to everyone in the community, was sponsored by Pulse and the Syracuse Symposium this semester, according to Pulse's website.

Senior Maggie O'Hara, a family Psychology major, was one of hundreds of SU students that attended the performance.

"I enjoyed the show," O'Hara said. "I've never been one to attend orchestra symphony before and I ended up really enjoying it. It has really broadened my horizons."

Mertz said it's imperative that cultural experiences be available to all students.

"It's a very important event because SSO is a very large part of the culture center in Syracuse," Mertz said.  "For arts education, it's important that you have the opportunity to be exposed to all different kinds of event."

Partners for Arts Education Connects Schools, Arts Organizations, and Funders

Written October 1, 2008

For nearly eight years, Syracuse Stage, Symphony Orchestra, The Everson Museum, The Community Art Center, Light Work and many other other organizations have received through Partner for Arts Education, a non-profit organization that matches funders with arts programs in need.

During a meeting in 1999, Laura Reeder, founder of Partners for Arts Education, noticed serious communication issues between arts organizations, Syracuse schools, and funders who were eager to donate money to arts education.

"I saw a major funder trying to bring arts education dollars to Syracuse and I didn't see anyone wanting to take their money," Reeder said. 

Reeder, with the guidance and support of a few friends, worked out the foundational elements for her organization, PAE.  Sh discovered a way to get money into the hands of Syracuse schools and cultural organizations.  PAE creates opportunities for schools and arts organizations to work together and how to utilize their funding to develop their arts programs.

"Our local arts and culture organizations have never wanted to stop being relevant to the schools," Reeder said.  "But it's an ongoing struggle to chase bureaucracy in education becaause they change it every year.  We're just trying to make it easier."