Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee S Elmore.
Lee S, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story is an interesting one. I am lawyer by education, a jeweler by experience, and the Executive Director of the Carolina Youth Symphony by serendipity—or perhaps by fate. Let me explain.
When my older daughter was in 6th grade, her best friend, a harpist, encouraged her to join the Carolina Youth Symphony. My daughter, who played percussion, auditioned and was accepted into the orchestra. At the time, the Executive Director of CYS was moving, and they needed someone to step in. My friend suggested I do it and, after a short interview, I accepted. Since my daughter had to be at rehearsal every Sunday, it seemed a logical step for me to take.
What a huge learning curve! I did not play an instrument, I could not identify the instruments, and I had extremely limited computer skills. The first year, I relied on the board and the conductors for help, and then I began to establish myself.
Under my leadership, and with help from many wonderful parents and staff, we implemented a weekend Music Camp, began performing in Carnegie Hall ( where we have just finished our 9th performance), added a side by side concert with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and grew the program from 2 orchestras into 4, with 3 full orchestras and a string orchestra.
While I am proud of all our achievements, I am particularly proud of what we accomplished during Covid. CYS was one of the only youth orchestras in the country to continue full rehearsals with brass and woodwinds included, during that historically challenging time. After our home base, Furman University, closed access, we found an outdoor covered space and rehearsed there until the weather became too cold. We performed our concerts outdoors and parents brought lawn chairs and sat on the grass. So many parents told us this was their child’s only activity that continued during Covid and they were incredibly grateful to us for making such a Herculean effort.
My plan had been to leave when my daughter graduated high school in 2004, but clearly, I did not. I feel blessed to have worked with incredible musicians over these last 25 years and to have helped mentor hundreds of young people during that time.
PS. If you are interested, I can share the details of my position as general counsel for a road grading contractor. I went to work in blue jeans boots and a hard hat. I was one of the first women in SC in the construction industry at that level.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
personal learning curve very steep.
mastering computer skills
maintaining rehearsals during Covid
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am most proud of 2 things, 1) initiating the off-site camping weekend for the orchestra members. As a geographically diverse group of musicians who must audition for admittance, we have a wide geographic footprint. From 70+ schools, 33 cities and both North and South Carolina, it is not uncommon for members to be the only one from their school. Summer camp provides their first opportunity to rehearse with their orchestra, fellowship together, participate in group games within their orchestra and square dance as group of over 165 young people. We know they are all musically qualified to be in each orchestra, but they have to learn to work as a team, I have always likened orchestra to a group sport, where the skills that are developed- work as a team, listen to each other, work as hard as you can and know what you are supposed to do in each situation, are critical to being a successful performer.
2) Keeping the orchestra running during Covid. Of course it was not exactly the same, we typically rehearse at Furman University so converting a roofed structure with no walls into a rehearsal hall required enormous effort on the part of the staff, musicians and their families. From a comfy recital hall, to a space with no heat or air conditioning; disinfecting every chair and stand between 3 orchestra rehearsals; carrying the timpani, chairs, stands and cleaning supplies over a knee wall to get the space ready for rehearsal: kids getting sunburned; blowing off the cement pad where we set up chairs; enlisting parents to direct traffic into and out of the grass field we used for parking and needing to bring their own chair to the concerts and sit in the yard. Finally having to take a 2-month break because it got too cold to be rehearse outside. As staff we were committed to giving these young people some form of normalcy in their lives. It saved us all. Parents repeatedly told us that we were the only normal activity their child had, the commitment from the staff to this project was extraordinary. The additional hours it added to our regular Sunday rehearsals were never mentioned and no one complained. We knew how important it was to all of us to make this happen.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
This is what I have always referred to as a 3-musketeer organization. The entire team works at making this organization as successful and special as it is.
I have had and still have the distinct privilege to work with some of the finest teachers in the business. The hardest workers who are always willing to help each other in rehearsal so that each conductor’s orchestra can shine. That is rare in this business.
I have been blessed to have an amazing board of directors who are endlessly supportive and involved. And finally, my assistant director, who I refer to as the most organized person I have ever known with the biggest heart imaginable.
You cannot make things happen without having incredible support from everyone involved. As I said earlier, we are a 3-musketeer organization and everyone works to make us all look good. What a gift it has been to be involved with this amazing group of adults and young people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carolinayouthsymphony.org
- Instagram: @carolinayouthsymphony
