Norwalk Symphony Orchestra

Photography essay ready to begin

Norwalk, Connecticut

An artist creates from their soul. Each artist portrays their individual connection to the wider world, telling the story of our humanity and the experiences we encounter around us. This inner need to release creativity holds steady, perhaps even strengthens in proportion to events in our surrounding world. No matter the medium, there is an outpouring of one’s self into the ears of listeners, the eyes of viewers, even the senses of those that love to savor delicious food. And when we bring together multiple art forms, we can truly evoke the emotions of the receiver. The ability of all art forms to provide comfort is universal; like macaroni and cheese, or meatloaf. Familiar. Enveloping. Calming. Bringing a sense of peace to those who stop and take the time to let the art enter their own soul.

World renowned photographer, Jimmy ienner, Jr., spent time the past several months joining his artistic vision and craft with the sounds of musicians from the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. Both call their home Norwalk, and Rowayton, Connecticut, a city of around 90,000 individuals, with small neighborhoods that make it seem more like many small towns sharing their same boundaries. Perhaps each of us has a preconceived notion of a photographer, taking pictures for fun or as a profession, and of a musician, who may be a teacher, performer, or have a completely different ‘profession’ but a passion for music that nurtures them beyond their ‘day job.’ As we came together, we found that both visual and musical art could be blended to create a feeling that has allowed us to see the people behind the music.

NORWALK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Mission of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra is to share the beauty and power of orchestral music with audiences of all ages through live performances and music education programs.

The Symphony is a significant cultural organization showcasing talented musicians from our community, and has enhanced the quality of life in Southwestern Connecticut since 1939. Our concert seasons have expanded to include not only traditional repertoire, but Broadway, Opera, and so much more.

This season, our musical presentations look different than our traditional live performances. We are learning so much about technology that we did not take advantage of prior to the Coronavirus pandemic in order to share our music in unique ways. We have actively engaged with many of our Community Partners to bring engaging video presentations to our audiences; we are staying in touch with the community through social media, email and Zoom; we continue to support the music education for all ages through (Not) Just for Kids, our Young Artists Concerto Competition, a Master Class Program for underserved youth, and our “Conversations with the Conductor” series. Chamber groups of musicians from the orchestra have, and will continue, to present smaller concerts in community venues over the next few months, and 20 of our string musicians taped a holiday concert in our hall for virtual distribution. In the midst of these activities, we are proud to have been voted as “Best Performing Arts” group of 2020 in Fairfield County, in Moffly Media’s Best of the Gold Coast contest!

Sandra J. Miklave

Executive Director