Chapel Hill Couple Donate $50,000 to Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. (SANEPR.com) October 18, 2007 -- The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle announced today that Charles and Shirley Weiss of Chapel Hill have donated $50,000 to the orchestra to establish a $100,000 endowment for up-and-coming solo artists. The gift was presented at the orchestra’s season opening performance on October 14.

The Charles and Shirley Weiss Young Soloists Endowment has been established to ensure that the orchestra can continue to identify and cultivate emerging, young international soloists. The soloists have been chosen from the most prestigious international competitions. Funds from the endowment will allow young talent to participate with the orchestra while continuing their musical careers.

“The Weisses’ love for the area’s performing arts programs is exhibited through their lifelong philanthropy,” said Lorenzo Muti, artistic director and conductor for The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle. “Through this type of generosity we are able to ensure the future of our young soloists program.”

Passionate about music, travel and education, the Weisses have spent the last five decades giving back to the Triangle community. They’ve provided funding for many programs at UNC-Chapel Hill, and established the Weiss Urban Livability Program, a fellowship program designed to support UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students who are committed to improving quality of life in contemporary communities. For several decades, the couple has provided continued financial support to The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle.

For more information, contact David Lindquist, chairman of the board, The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle at (919) 942-3179.

About Charles and Shirley Weiss:
Spending many years at UNC-Chapel Hill, Charles and Shirley Weiss have lived a lifetime of giving. Charles was a professor of environmental biology from 1956 until his retirement in 1989, and Shirley was the first female faculty member of the Department of City and Regional Planning in 1958. In 1973 she was promoted to full professor—the first female professor in the department. She retired in 1991. The Weisses have remained active since their retirement. They are worldwide travelers, photographing all of their adventures. They also avidly support education, museums and performing arts. They continue to provide funding for many programs at UNC-Chapel Hill and in the community.

About The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle:
Since 1982, The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle has been received with genuine respect and enthusiasm by music critics and the community. Today, it is considered one of the finest professional ensembles in North Carolina and the Southeast. With its elite corps of musicians, the orchestra continues to present a well-chosen and unusual repertoire that delights audiences and evokes high praise from critics. That standard of excellence has become the hallmark of the orchestra and has distinguished each succeeding season. The 2007-2008 series marks our 25th concert season. For more information, visit www.chamberorchestraofthetriangle.org or call (919) 942-3179.

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