Speakeysie News Desk — April 6, 2022
ATLANTA – The Grammy® Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will celebrate the culmination of its 77th season with the annual Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Gala on Saturday, May 21 at the Woodruff Arts Center. Chaired by Sally and Ross Singletary, and with support from Bonnie Harris, the 2022 ASO Gala will honor Azira G. Hill, beloved community leader and co-founder of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program (TDP). Since cofounding the TDP in 1993, Hill has dedicated her energy, time, and connections to giving young Black and Latinx musicians the opportunity to pursue careers in classical music.
In addition to honoring Hill, this year’s Gala will also celebrate the extraordinary tenure of ASO Board of Directors Chair Janine Brown, whose passionate and optimistic leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic helped the Orchestra maintain its operational footing and make a triumphant return to live performances.
The special evening will include cocktails in the High Museum followed by an ASO performance with acclaimed violinist Itzhak Perlman in Symphony Hall, led by guest conductor Nicola Luisotti. After the concert, guests will return to the High Museum for an elegant dinner followed by dancing under the stars on Sifly Piazza. All proceeds from the Gala will go toward the ASO’s education and community engagement initiatives. Tickets and more information available at aso.org/Gala.
Lead sponsors of the evening include Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola and Alston & Bird.
About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Celebrating its 77th season, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra continues to affirm its position as one of America’s leading orchestras with excellent live performances, renowned guest artist features and engaging education initiatives. As a cornerstone for artistic development in the Southeast, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs a full schedule of more than 150 concerts, including educational and community concerts, each year for a combined audience of more than a quarter-million people. more
About the Talent Development Program
As one of the longest-running, year-round musical education diversity programs, the Talent Development Program (TDP) provides 25 young Black and Latinx musicians with the highest level of musical training each school year. More than 100 TDP Fellows have gone on to attend top music schools and conservatories across the country. This strong education foundation has led to careers in orchestra, teaching and performance. More
About Azira G. Hill
A Cuban immigrant, Azira G. Hill moved to Atlanta to pursue an education and earned a degree in nursing from Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing where she was a staff nurse and clinical instructor. While in Atlanta, Azira met and married her husband, Jesse Hill. Shortly after becoming a U.S. citizen in 1960, she felt it was her responsibility to give back. Her lifelong love of music, inspired by her large musical family in Cuba and her own children’s musicianship in Atlanta, eventually led her to volunteer at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She served as co-chair of the Atlanta Symphony Associates (ASA) Action Committee for Audience Development in the Black Community. more
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