Sep 01, 2009

Charlotte Symphony Names Recipient for Sally Ann Hall Award

Charlotte Symphony Names Richard J. Osborne Recipient of the 2009 Sally Ann Hall Spirit of the Symphony Award (Award to be presented on September 11, 2009)

The Charlotte Symphony (CSO) has named Richard J. Osborne the recipient of the 2009 Sally Ann Hall Spirit of the Symphony Award. The award will be presented on Friday, September 11 at the opening concert of the Symphony’s 2009-2010 season.

In 2007, the Charlotte Symphony created the Sally Ann Hall Spirit of the Symphony Award to honor the memory of one of its most devoted patrons, Sally Ann Hall. Devoted to classical music, Sally Ann Hall (1939-2005) was a member of the Charlotte Symphony Board of Directors and served as President of the Oratorio Singers Board. In 2004, she and her husband Joseph Kirkland Hall, III established the Sally Ann Hall Chair for the directorship of the Oratorio Singers.

Recipients of the award must demonstrate a commitment to the Symphony as an organization, show a profound respect for its music and musicians, and motivate and encourage others to become actively involved with the Symphony family. Past recipients are CSO Principal Tubist David Mills (2007) and longtime CSO patron and program annotator, Dr. George Stegner (2008).

Rich Osborne was first elected to the board of the Charlotte Symphony in 2000 and currently is immediate past-chair. During his three years as chair, the CSO executive director resigned. As a result, Osborne served concurrently as board chair and, from July 2007 to May 2008, as interim executive director of Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

Reared in Gastonia, Mr. Osborne came to Charlotte in 1975 to join Duke Energy Corp, where he worked until his retirement in 2006. In addition to his service to the Symphony, he serves on the boards of Johnson C. Smith University; the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte; the Foundation for the Charlotte Jewish Community, where he is immediate past-chair; the Charlotte Jewish Day School, where he is president; and is immediate past-chair of the Community Building Council for United Way of the Central Carolinas.

“Rich Osborne’s leadership and energy have been and continue to be a catalyst for the Symphony as we move into the future with a stronger, more resilient orchestra for the Charlotte region,” said CSO Board Chair Pat Rodgers. “I am delighted that he is being recognized for his unswerving dedication to the Symphony and to this community." The recipient of the Sally Ann Hall Spirit of the Symphony Award is chosen annually from an open slate of nominations by a committee that represents the CSO board, staff, and musicians and the Oratorio Singers.

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