Enriching our community for nearly six decades, the Cobb Symphony Orchestra is a model of success for the arts in Cobb County. By embracing the community with a clear mission, CSO distinguishes itself as one of the most unique regional orchestras in the country.

The CSO's objective is for artistic excellence in a diverse community that takes pride in the Orchestra's artistic success and feels a sense of ownership for the Orchestra, said Michael Alexander, Music Director of CSO and Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra.

The 85-musician virtuoso orchestra ensures that artistic excellence when performing 20-25 concerts per year at the Murray Arts Center, located at 2250 Stilesboro Road in Kennesaw. Attracting leading guest soloists from around the world, the CSO plays to sold-out audiences.

"It's not uncommon for us to have two shows where we're drawing well over 1,000 people that are paying to come," Alexander said.

The CSO breaks the barrier to classical music by providing a friendly atmosphere and variety of musical offerings. Three years ago CSO started the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, the largest youth orchestra program in Southeast with more than 400 students participating.

CSO also offers CSO Jazz, Chorus and private lessons to hundreds at Georgia Center for the Arts at the Murray Arts Center. CSO also reaches out to the community through concerts such as those performed at Zion Baptist Church.

"There are close to a thousand people who make music with the Cobb Symphony Orchestra," Alexander said.

But it hasn't always been easy for CSO. Just six years ago, the CSO was in debt, played to small audiences, had no home base and struggled to form its artistic identity, he said. No longer in debt, with all programs combined CSO deals with million dollar budgets.

"We earn our money. We're one of the only arts groups anywhere where the majority of our money is earned, not asked for," Alexander said.

"What we're asking is that the community buy into what we've given them, to something that's succeeding like this," he said. "There are few other arts organizations as efficient and productive with the money they have than CSO and do so much good with the community."

With one of the most exceptional orchestras that inspires, entertains and educates our community, it is time for the community to step up and embrace the CSO as a model and success story for what's happening in the arts in Cobb, Alexander said.

"They (the community) need to celebrate it and support it," he said.

For more information, visit www.cobb symphony.org.