A note from Sue Priester, long-time symphony supporter and arts champion

Each year, gifts to the Annual Fund provide essential support that bridges the gap between ticket revenue and the true cost of our work—supporting musicians, artists, education programs, and the performances that bring our community together.

Your annual gift offers flexibility and stability, allowing us to respond to artistic opportunities and invest confidently in the season ahead. 

To those who have already made contributions in support of the 2026–2027 season, thank you! Your early gifts are making a difference as we plan for many exciting concerts and community events to come. 

Every gift is critical and thrilling for the GSO. We have some very exciting benefits of giving for you to enjoy, which you can explore on the Annual Fund page, linked above. Support today or by July 4 for the greatest impact.

One of the favorite "season perks" for our annual donors is the Table 301 Gourmet Club Card. You too can enjoy this fun benefit by donating at the Concertmaster level ($500) or above for the 2026-2027 season.

Please note for the 2026-2027 season, cards will be mailed out in August 2026.

Early contributions are vital for achieving our artistic goals and promoting innovative programming.

To show our appreciation for those who pledge and fulfill payment by July 4, 2026, we are thrilled to offer a special season memento signed by Music Director Lee Mills once again.

By completing your pledge and donation early in the year, you help us plan and develop exceptional experiences for the upcoming season!

In addition to annual giving, there are many meaningful ways to support the Greenville Symphony Orchestra—both now and in the future. The Sustaining Notes Society recognizes those who choose to make a lasting impact through planned gifts.

These gifts are called “planned” because they involve thoughtful financial and estate planning to determine how your assets will support both your family and the causes you care about. They can offer flexible strategies to meet your charitable goals and may provide significant tax advantages. Many GSO donors would like to do more than they think they can. Very often, our supporters find that estate planning and charitable giving can be simple and life changing.

If you are interested in a planned gift, we encourage you to consult with your estate attorney or financial advisor to determine the most suitable. Consider making the GSO part of your legacy.

To learn more about the Sustaining Notes Society, please contact Director of Development Lieshe Lane at [email protected] or 864-232-0344 ext. 119

Did your teacher ever ask you to “put on your thinking cap?” I can still hear those words and feel how quickly they transformed me. My attention sharpened, my curiosity sparked, and I leaned forward, ready for whatever came next. I often think of my third-grade teacher, Ms. Violet Allen, who embodied that spirit every day. She led with quiet consistency, kindness, and care, creating a classroom where we felt seen, respected, and encouraged to think deeply. Each morning, she arrived early, setting an example through her actions as much as her words. Even as children, we recognized the steadiness of her presence and the way she taught us, long before we had the words for it, to listen, reflect, and lead with intention.

As we close The American Season, I find myself returning to those lessons. This time of year invites reflection, an opportunity to pause and consider how we’ve engaged with one another and with our community. In development, listening is at the heart of everything we do. It allows us to better understand your passions, your values, and the ways you hope to make an impact through your support of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. That kind of listening takes time and care, but it also reveals one of the greatest gifts of this work: the relationships we build and the shared purpose we discover along the way.

Thank you for the generosity, enthusiasm, and trust you have shown throughout this season. Whether you joined us at concerts, gathered with us at events, or supported the orchestra through your philanthropy, your presence has made a meaningful difference. As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 season, I hope you’ll take a moment this summer to “put on your thinking cap” and reflect on what inspires you and the communities you care about most.

Thank you for including the GSO in that journey, because ultimately, you are the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.

This past season, we had the joy of gathering in a more personal way through a series of boutique donor events designed to welcome new friends, reconnect with familiar ones, and share the music we love in an intimate setting.

We are deeply grateful to Susie and Andy White and Lil and Henry Parr, who generously opened their homes and hosted the GSO for these special evenings. Their hospitality created meaningful spaces for conversation, connection, and inspiration, helping us reach new audiences and strengthen our community.

As you reflect on your own circles, we invite you to "put on your thinking caps": Who in your life might be waiting to experience the joy of the symphony? How might you help introduce them and bring them into the fold?

Together, we can continue to build bridges, spark curiosity, and welcome more people into the shared experience of music.

In December 2025, our community came together for Ovation, a matching gift challenge to raise $50,000 and unlock an additional $50,000 from a generous anonymous donor—all in support of local and emerging artists sharing the stage with the GSO.

Because of your incredible generosity, the campaign exceeded expectations. We raised $70,606, which combined with the full $50,000 match, resulted in a total investment of $120,606 dedicated to local and emerging artists.

This milestone would not have been possible without your support and belief in this important work. We are deeply grateful for your investment and excited about the opportunities it creates for emerging and local artists in our community!

We look forward to continuing to share all the ways in which local and emerging artists are given opportunities to join the GSO on stage in the seasons to come.

Long Branch Baptist Church Choir

and William Burgess,

Creative Arts Director

Will Jordan, vocalist

Ansley Burns, vocalist

The Symphony Social Club enjoyed a vibrant and successful season, thanks to the energy of our members and the generous support of our community partners.

The SSC cohort for The American Season had 30 members, with 7 brand new members to the SSC community! Cheers to an even more exciting 2026–2027 season ahead. 

We are especially grateful to Grateful Brew for hosting our Happy Hour Kick Off event—made possible through SSC committee member Deb York, co-owner of Grateful Brew and a vital community connector. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Christopher Nicholas for his dedicated leadership as President over the past two seasons, and to Anne Marie Ashworth, whose long-standing involvement and service on the SSC committee continue to enrich the group. A special thank you to Wyche, P.A. for partnering with us and hosting our Networking & Music event alongside their Young Associates Group.

We encourage you to spread the word and invite friends who may be interested in getting involved with the GSO and connecting with other arts-minded individuals. SSC Common Ground season activities calendar will be announced over the summer, so keep an eye out on social media @gvlsymphonysocialclub. Find your place and space among the GSO family. There is common ground for everyone! 

The Greenville Symphony invites you to rediscover the power of music to bring us together. Common Ground celebrates the folk melodies, timeless themes of love, loss, celebration, faith, and shared human stories that connect us across cultures and generations. These are the tunes we hum without thinking, the rhythms we recognize instinctively, and the melodies that feel like they’ve always belonged to us.

This is a season designed to feel instantly welcoming, beautifully melodic, and deeply human.

Join us on common ground,

where the music speaks for all of us. 

A feature to share a sincere thank you.

We extend the deepest gratitude to our donors who went above and beyond to sponsor guest artists or a concert weekend for The American Season. These meaningful gifts reflect a remarkable commitment to the GSO and play an essential role in bringing extraordinary performances to our stage. It is especially rewarding to see sponsors connect so personally with the artists and programs they choose to support—your passion helps shape the music we share and makes each season truly unforgettable.

Thank you again for your generosity, your enthusiasm, and your belief in orchestral music. Your support resonates far beyond the stage!

2025-2026 Guest Artist and Concert Weekend Sponsors

Susan and Steven Bichel

Elbert W. Rogers Foundation

Sue and Daryl Fisher

Reverends Stephen Bolle and Peggy Muncie 

The Wendy Cohen Team

at EXP Realty

Would you be interested in sponsoring a special program

or guest artist in season 2026-2027?  

Your Greenville Symphony Orchestra Development Team

Three favorite artists who will be playing on your summer playlist?

Lieshe: John Mayer, Lake Street Dive, Olivia Dean, Bruno Mars, Bob Marley

Grace: Noah Kahan, Fleet Foxes, and Country mix

Caroline: Harry Styles, Kacey Musgraves, Fleetwood Mac

Favorite Greenville area cuisine for a lunch bite?

Lieshe: Newest - The Pantry by Emily’s Table or my old favorite - OJ’s diner for comfort and the best fried chicken!

Grace: The Lazy Goat for a nice sit-down lunch, or Swamp Rabbit Cafe for the perfect sandwich!

Caroline: A new favorite of mine is Tahini, it's quick and always delicious. As for a Greenville classic, Augusta Street Market. Their sandwiches are the best!!

A highlight of the American Season?

Lieshe: Highlight for me in the American Season was the patriotism I felt - the community coming together around a shared love of country and beautiful music. The Star-Spangled Banner played at the opening of each concert always gives me chills and feelings of deep gratitude! Principal Cellist, Seth Russell’s encore performance was the most unique and unforgettable moment!

Grace: Growing up, my family's favorite Christmas movie was always "White Christmas". So, the highlight of the American Season for me has to be Holiday at Peace and our ode to "White Christmas" with USO theme! I will never forget Lee singing in the duet from Sisters. Holiday at Peace is the perfect concert weekend to get in the mood for the holiday season.

Caroline: A highlight of the American season for me was stepping into my role as Development Events Coordinator. Since it was my first season in this position, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I also especially enjoyed Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2. I’ve always loved piano music, especially from the late romantic era, and the guest artist Jonathan Mamora delivered an absolutely incredible performance.

The fundraisers may be the ones sitting across from the donor or greeting them at a donor event, but strong philanthropy programs are built by teams. From prospect researchers who identify opportunities and shape strategy, to data and operations staff who strengthen the pipeline and guide planning, to communications and marketing teams who provide stories and tools for fundraisers, to the finance team who ensures every gift is handled with care and accountability. Recognizing these specific roles helps us appreciate the full scope of teamwork involved.

The most successful fundraising programs are powered not by one person but by an entire team built on partnership and care, inspiring a sense of shared purpose.

Fundraising is relationship-driven, and those relationships are supported by an entire ecosystem of people working behind the scenes every day. We are here for you! Let’s talk this summer, help us dream BIG for the 2026-2027 season. What ideas do you have for GSO philanthropy?

With every seamless performance on stage is a tremendous amount of coordination happening behind the scenes—and Derek Eilert is at the heart of it. As the GSO’s Music Librarian and Personnel Manager, Derek plays a dual role that is essential to bringing each concert to life.

Working alongside the Artistic Operations team, Derek helps ensure each performance is fully prepared, from procuring music and making sure musicians have what they need, to hiring the artists who bring the music to life. You might even spot him on stage himself, playing in the cello section as a member of the orchestra he helps support.

He is also a key partner to the Development team, coordinating musicians for donor events throughout the season and serving as a vital bridge to the orchestra. Through his help, these events are enriched with beautiful music that creates meaningful moments and reflects what the GSO is all about.

Derek Eilert

Music Librarian and Personnel Manager

Fun Facts about Derek

Favorite Food: Blue Bell Ice Cream

"Cookie Two Step"

Favorite Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Favorite American Season Piece to Perform: West Side Story Symphonic Dances by Leonard Bernstein

Thank you for being part of this community built through music.

Consider investing in the 2026-2027 season

and the connections we will share through Common Ground.

For any questions about being a GSO donor, customizing your support through sponsorship, how to make a charitable gift through an IRA, or how to establish a planned gift, please contact the Development Team. We are excited to support you!

Lieshe Lane, Director of Development

[email protected] | 864-232-0344 ext. 119

Grace Butler, Donor Relations Coordinator

[email protected] | 864-232-0344 ext. 121