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On Sunday, June 8, join the Blue Ridge Orchestra (BRO) at Souther Williams Vineyard, in Fletcher, for Summer Soir\u00e9e, its annual fundraiser. A celebration of summer\u2019s arrival and BRO\u2019s 25th anniversary, the event will include an evening of music, fine wine and gourmet catered food at 6:15 p.m., or, weather permitting, an option for lawn seating and music at 8 p.m. for those who choose to attend only the musical performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis particular year, our goal is to raise the funds needed for temporary performing spaces in the next two seasons while our traditional \u2018home\u2019 at the Lipinsky Auditorium on the UNC Asheville campus undergoes significant renovations,\u201d says Deb Kenney, the BRO\u2019s president.<\/p>\n
The event aims to delight the audience with jazz and classical sounds from around the world. \u201cThe cultures of Germany, Austria, Georgia and France, as well as our locality in the Blue Ridge Mountains, will be represented across all our offerings during the evening,\u201d says Dr. Emily Mariko Eng, the BRO\u2019s music director.<\/p>\n
A not-for-profit community orchestra, the BRO offers avocational musicians a chance to rehearse and perform symphonic music. \u201cWhile the musicians are volunteers who perform for their passion of doing so, we do have some expenses for music, venues, lights and a small staff that also largely serves the BRO out of love for this organization,\u201d says Kenney. \u201cWe strive to keep ticket prices to our concerts affordable, and rely on the generosity of our patrons to do so, and to support our ability to return to the stage year after year.\u201d<\/p>\n