Rob Demere, president of Colonial Group, Inc., and Brett Giesick, president of Enmarket stations, pledged significant support for the Savannah Philharmonic in the form of a $75,000 donation to be used for the upcoming 11th season.

A $25,000 portion of the donation will help fund Savannah’s largest outdoor musical event, Picnic in the Park on Sunday October 6, 2019.This annual celebration of music attracts nearly 20,000 attendees to historic Forsyth Park every October with a stellar lineup of local musical acts, student ensembles and a grand performance by the Philharmonic Orchestra which takes the stage at 7:00 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic spreads to match the event’s theme which changes every year, or they can enjoy meals and snacks purchased from a variety of food trucks and vendors. Picnic in the Park is a true collaboration with the City of Savannah and many valued corporate and community partners who make this free and open to public event possible. The range of live music performances creates a festive atmosphere which combine to provide diverse audiences with a great community experience.

The remainder of the pledge, $50,000, will support the popular holiday concert series, including the family matinee. Each year the Philharmonic performs three holiday concerts in early December -- formal evening performances with the full orchestra and chorus on Friday and Saturday nights, December 6 and 7, 2019 and the family matinee on the afternoon of Saturday December 7. The concert series provides Savannah residents and visitors alike with the perfect opportunity to enjoy the sounds of the season.

Savannah Philharmonic Executive Director Terri O’Neil expressed her sincere gratitude for the generous pledge from Colonial Group, Inc. and Enmarket, thanking both Demere and Giesick for being strong advocates for the arts.  

“This donation is a testimony to Mr. Demere’s understanding of the importance of having a viable orchestra as a cultural amenity for quality of life and for attracting economic growth for Savannah. We are immensely grateful for their loyal support and unwavering commitment to our organization,” O’Neil said. “This generous contribution will certainly help us continue our mission to enrich the lives of Savannah residents and visitors through orchestral music, community outreach and educational initiatives.”