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A resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Nashville Symphony.
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WHEREAS, the Nashville Symphony has been an integral part of the city since 1946 when World War II veteran and Nashville native Walter Sharp established a new symphony orchestra for Middle Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, William Strickland of New York served as the first music director and conductor of the symphony and led the orchestra’s first performance on December 10, 1946 at War Memorial Auditorium; and
WHEREAS, the orchestra continued to perform at the historic War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville until the opening of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in 1980 when symphony concerts were moved into Andrew Jackson Hall within TPAC; and
WHEREAS, from 1983 to 2005, the Nashville Symphony flourished under the dynamic leadership of Music Director and Principal Conductor Kenneth Schermerhorn who led the ensemble to new levels of artistic achievement while nurturing the tradition of excellence. Under his direction, the orchestra performed a critically acclaimed debut concert at Carnegie Hall and undertook a sold-out East Coast tour in 2000; and
WHEREAS, in 2003, the Nashville Symphony broke ground on the $123.5 million Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the orchestra’s new home, which opened on September 9, 2006. Located in downtown Nashville, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center has attracted global attention for its acoustical excellence and distinctive neo-Classical architecture; and
WHEREAS, during the Nashville flood of 2010, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center took on an estimated 5.25 million gallons of water and sustained more than $40 million in damage. With the support of many community partners, the orchestra was able to continue performing for the community while the concert hall underwent extensive repairs before reopening on December 31, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the Nashville Symphony remains one of the most prolific recording orchestras in the U.S. with more than 40 releases through its partnership with Naxos, earning 14 Grammy Awards and 27 nominations; and
WHEREAS, led by current music director Giancarlo Guerrero, the Nashville Symphony performs more than 150 concerts annually, with a focus on contemporary American orchestral music through collaborations with composers including Jennifer Higdon, Terry Riley, Joan Tower, and Aaron Jay Kernis; and
WHEREAS, the orchestra is equally renowned for its commissioning and recording projects with Nashville-based artists including bassist Edgar Meyer, banjoist Béla Fleck, singer-songwriter Ben Folds, and electric bassist Victor Wooten; and
WHEREAS, over the course of its history, the Nashville Symphony has premiered 40 compositions and has commissioned or co-commissioned 40 works from numerous composers; and
WHEREAS, like countless other organizations and venues, the Nashville Symphony was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but with unwavering support from the Middle Tennessee community and federal relief from the Paycheck Protection Program, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, and the American Rescue Plan, the symphony reemerged from the pandemic and is building a vision for how it can continue to serve the community for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, the Nashville Symphony continually strives to inspire, entertain, educate, and serve through musical performance, innovation, collaboration, and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Nashville Symphony and recognizes its history and contributions to the Nashville community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the 75th anniversary of The Nashville Symphony.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.