The Orchestra's Summer Home
About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
With the opening of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in 2008, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra became the first U.S. orchestra to annually perform and present in its concert hall and in two major amphitheaters (the ASO has performed at Chastain Park Amphitheater for 36 years). Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park is a 12,000-seat, state-of-the-art amphitheater. In 2009, it was voted Atlanta’s Best Music Venue – Outdoor by the monthly publication INsite and nominated as “Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue” by Pollstar Concert Industry Awards.
The Orchestra inaugurated its new summer home with a Grand Opening Concert on May 10, 2008, followed by four sold-out concerts by the Eagles, May 14, 16, 17, and 20, 2008 – events that introduced America’s newest outdoor venue to music lovers throughout North Georgia and the surrounding region. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre is located in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, minutes from GA 400 and North Point Mall in Alpharetta, GA.
The 2009 season featured Tchaikovsky and Beethoven concerts and the second collaboration between the ASO and Turner Classic Movies, a music and film salute to the scores of Rodgers & Hammerstein, hosted by TCM’s Robert Osborne. Pop and rock enthusiasts enjoyed the Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Stevie Wonder, and other headliners.
About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, currently in its 67th season, consistently affirms its position as one of America’s leading Orchestras by performing great music, presenting great artists, educating, and engaging.
The Orchestra is known for the excellence of its live performances, presentations, renowned choruses, and its impressive list of GRAMMY® Award-winning recordings. The leading cultural organization in the Southeast, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra serves as the cornerstone for artistic development and music education in the region. Since September 2001, the Orchestra and audiences together explore a creative programming mix, recordings, and visual enhancements, such as the Theater of a Concert, the Orchestra’s continuing exploration of different formats, settings, and enhancements for the musical performance experience. Another example is the Atlanta School of Composers, which reflects Mr. Spano, and the Orchestra’s commitment to nurturing and championing music through multi-year partnerships defining a new generation of American composers. Since the beginning of his tenure (to date), Mr. Spano and the Orchestra have performed over 100 concerts containing contemporary works (composed since 1950), including 15 ASO-commissioned world premieres.
During its 32-year history with Telarc, the Orchestra and Chorus has recorded more than 100 albums and its recordings have won 27 GRAMMY® Awards in categories including Best Classical Album, Best Orchestral Performance, Best Choral Performance, and Best Opera Performance.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs more than 200 concerts each year for a combined audience of more than a half million in a full schedule of performances which also features educational and community concerts. A recognized leader and supporter of contemporary American music, the Orchestra recently received the 2007 award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. In addition, Music Director Robert Spano was named Musical America 2008 Conductor of the Year. With the opening of the 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park (vzwamp.com) in May 2008, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra became the first U.S. orchestra to annually perform and present in its concert hall, and in two amphitheaters. In Summer 2008, the Orchestra celebrated 35 years at legendary Chastain Park Amphitheater, the award-winning 6,500 seat venue in Atlanta, during the Orchestra’s annual Delta Classic Chastain concert series (deltaclassicchastain.com).
For more information, please visit atlantasymphony.org.