Central Ohio Symphony Offices Relocate
Central Ohio Symphony Executive Director Warren Hyer says the symphony’s office move to the budding cultural arts district will bring new visibility and new opportunities. Photo by Alex Crump ’13
When the Central Ohio Symphony unveils its new office at 24 E. Winter Street during Main Street Delaware’s First Friday event on September 3, a new phase begins in the development of a cultural arts district that will be anchored by the 94-year-old Strand Theatre. During the next three years, a major renovation of the historic theatre will include a face-lift of its facade, as well as interior renovations.
The Strand Theatre was gifted to OWU in 2002, and ownership was transferred to the Strand Theatre and Cultural Arts Association in 2008 to help support the creation of a community-supported arts district with opportunities for visual, performing, and fine arts programs.
The new presence of the Central Ohio Symphony offices marks an important partnership for the arts in Delaware, says Symphony Executive Director Warren Hyer. He thanks Ohio Wesleyan for housing the symphony office in the University Annex Building for five years.
“It was a remarkable opportunity for us to have been located on Ohio Wesleyan’s campus, where we could interact with regular and retired faculty, students, and others in the OWU community,” Hyer says. “Our new location in the storefront next to The Strand provides a new opportunity that will bring additional vitality to the office and downtown.”
OWU Provost David Robbins, president of the Strand Theatre and Cultural Arts Association, says, “The addition of the COS office to the Winter Street location adjacent to our historic theatre is the beginning of the development of a cultural arts district in downtown Delaware that will serve our community. The board welcomes COS to its new location and looks forward to years of productive interactions with members of the symphony.”
Central Ohio Symphony concerts still will be performed at OWU’s Gray Chapel in University Hall.
In 2011, OWU’s Choral Art Society will become part of a 120-voice group that will join the symphony in a performance at 3 p.m. March 27 to present Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” and John William’s “Harry Potter Suite.” This performance in Gray Chapel also will include the central Ohio group Capriccio! and guest soloists.
Visit the Central Ohio Symphony’s Web site to view this year’s symphony schedule.