The Long Bay Symphony

The Grand Strand area has all kinds of nicknames. Some are good, some are not so good. But one whose accuracy cannot be disputed is “Long Bay,” which describes the 60-mile stretch of coastline from Brunswick County, NC to Georgetown County, SC. This is, obviously, where the area’s symphony found the inspiration for its name. Founded in 1987 by a local music store owner, the symphony’s mission has always been to “enhance the cultural and artistic environment” of the Grand Strand. Think Bach, Handel, Tchaikovsky, and all of the other composers whose work is still being played. Throughout the year, the orchestra performs a Classical Series with full orchestra, a Chamber Music Series with a smaller, 25 – 50 musician lineup, and a Pops Series that covers more familiar genres such as Motown. Last year, total attendance for all performances exceeded 20,000 people. Long Bay Symphony also takes pride in its youth and outreach programs, by helping train young musicians, and exposing thousands of Horry County students to classical music each year.