Four local celebrities are competing for Chattanooga’s votes in a contest that will allow them to conduct a musical selection at the July 3 “Pops on the River” concert under the direction of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera’s Maestro Robert Bernhardt. Jeff Styles, Carolyn Thompson, Jim Catan-zaro and Linda Friberg are each vying for this honor in the first ever Celebrity Conductor Contest, and are employing everyone within their sphere of influence to give them the vote.
Styles says, “I am glad to support the symphony (which is a remarkable) and the local arts, particularly music, whenever possible. I can’t wait to get on stage with Bob Bernhardt and the CSO – what a fun time that will be.”
Margaret Green, past president of the CSO Guild (an arm of the CSO) and chair of this event, says one of the main purposes for the Guild is to raise funds to help the CSO, to spread the word, and to create excitement about the CSO and its programs. Last year, Green attended a national/international seminar in Atlanta, and the celebrity conductor contest idea was one of the winning projects. Green says it created much excitement in Texas, and in a very short window they were able to raise quite a bit of money by utilizing the celebrities within a city.
The money raised with the Chattanooga Celebrity Conductor Contest will support the Guild’s pledge to the CSO to be used in their education programs and outreach. The CSO and the Guild touch over 25,000 youths every year, and this money goes to support them and may eventually feed into the Sally Brewer Scholarship Fund the Guild provides in $10,000 worth of scholarships to aspiring young musicians.
Thompson says, “Although I had little childhood exposure, I have found symphonic music to be a source of joy and comfort and peace. It would be an honor to appear with Maestro Bob and the CSO. P.S. I love to be on stage!”
Green says they chose the selection of local celebrities by looking for people who love the arts and have supported it in some form, and that would hopefully be able to cast a wide net of influence.
Friberg, a past president of the Guild and involved in many programs in the city, was able to use this as an opportunity to tap into her family and friends who, for various reasons, are not big supporters of the CSO, but they would support her, and they have done so.
Styles reaches out every morning on his radio program, has a love of the heart of music of all kinds and appreciates Bernhardt with an ongoing friendship, Green says.
Catanzaro, president of Chattanooga State, has done much for the city and his outreach has been huge, as well as his excitement about conducting and spreading the word about the importance of having a strong symphony here, she says.
Thompson served on the CSO board, and she and her husband, Chancellor Roger Brown, have also been huge in supporting the arts at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Green says, “We are not looking to make a tremendous amount of money. We are looking to make an impact and keep that word of mouth going with the CSO.”
Friberg says, “I really believe in the music and mission of CSO. If you want to help keep the music playing and … lower taxes, fix healthcare, improve roads … vote for me!”
The winner will be an-nounced at the “A Night in Vegas” gala May 14 at the Chattanooga Convention Cen-ter. This event, sponsored by Gracie and Frank Schriner, the CSO Guild and the CSO, will feature Broadway Pops International Rat Pack with the CSO Big Band.
This event is also part of the Guild’s pledge to the CSO, Green says.
“Over the last 10 years, we have given over $1 million to the CSO and this is our main event to do this. It is an extravaganza where we … let people have some fun while they are also donating and supporting the Symphony and Opera Guild,” she says.
There will be a casino for play money fun, an open bar before and after the dinner hour, a live and silent auction, and the voting booth will be open to cast the final votes for the winner of the Celebrity Conductor Contest.
Catanzaro says, “Our orchestra is now one of the finest performing ensembles in the South. The players need little direction, just enthusiastic support – which they will get from me!”
There are three ways to vote: online at www.chattanoogasymphony.org, by phone at 423-267-8583 ext. 101, or by mailing a marked ballot and check to the CSO office. Whether supporting the CSO through the gala or through multiple votes for a favorite local celebrity, it will support the mission of the CSO in “contributing to the education of our children, supporting the regional economy, reinforcing the cultural fabric of the community and enhancing our overall quality of life.”