“The mission of the GSO is to enrich our community through accessible, high quality musical and educational experiences that instill a lifelong appreciation for the arts.” Their vision is to “continue growing a thriving and innovative cultural organization that enriches, educates, and inspires audiences, students, and musicians in the community.”

Today’s interview is with Suzanne Tucker, Executive Director of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.

Why do the arts matter you ask? CONNECTIONS!

• Per Ms. Tucker, music embodies connection, engagement, and inspiration. Music transcends even through difficult times like Covid. Artistic experiences were still able to continue with the help of technology. The arts/music helps us connect to people despite our “increasingly disconnected society.” It doesn’t matter how different we are – we all come together through music.
• The “awe” of beautiful music creates a “visceral reaction” in us that cannot be obtained in any other way. For a couple of hours, we find ourselves in a world of expression and passion.
• “The arts are important because they awaken us to ourselves…each other…and connect us.”
• Emotional connection is important too! It helps us connect with our community and experience the world in a different way.
• GSO values a “creative economy” in a world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Through their youth program, the musicians in the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO) are prepared a creative economy, teaching them teamwork, how to have concentration, how to prioritize things, how to practice, how to perfect and excel, and understand spatial intelligence (to see the big picture and your role in it).
• Music promotes better mental health, emotional stability, and being apart of something bigger than you.
• GSO has sensory concert series to make music accessible to all – shorter concert durations, relaxed etiquette, and musical petting zoo – this can be great for kids, veterans, and senior adults.
• Challenges in keeping music programs going in our schools – No music program in schools leads to lower test scores dip and less engagement. Keep music and arts in schools!
• GSO wants to be accessible! They need an accessible venue – collaboration with KSU is promoting connections in our community and supporting our young people as they develop their skills and passions.