Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1479628
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 | maconmagazine.com 47 fortunate to be involved in playing at the Daybreak Day Resource Center while in Macon and, even studying now in the 'bright lights, big city' of New York, it's stuck and I've found ways to make it work here. "The fact the McDuffie Center is such an entrepreneurial music school was a real benefit to me — a real eye-opener. In New York, I'm a much more mature musician because of the center. Apart from input from Amy and Robert and other teachers, I wouldn't have the same direction or be as ambitious as I am now. It was definitely the right place for me to grow and be groomed not only as a fine musician but as a person as well. The investment others made in me made my time there so valuable." Yick travels regularly between New York and Hawaii and said he recently gave a lecture on music business and music entrepreneurship at the University of Hawaii. A NEW SYMPHONY Amy is particularly excited by the groundbreaking new collaboration with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, which will bring symphonic music back to Central Georgia when principal musicians from Atlanta come to Macon to mentor and play alongside emerging McDuffie Center artists in the new Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra. She's not alone. "When I think of the McDuffie Center, I think of it drawing the best students from all over the world," said Mary Pinson, a Macon floral designer and McDuffie Center for Strings board member who operates a downtown floral studio. "That's proven by where they go from here and the fact such amazing teachers come to teach them. It's further shown now by the eagerness of Atlanta Symphony members to come work alongside them and add to their musical foundations. I'm a lover of music and thrilled the center is helping bring symphonic music back to Macon. And I'm just as thrilled concerts will feature local talents from many different genres getting to perform in a symphonic setting. I can hardly wait for it all." Amy also stresses the educational and community aspect. "It's definitely an educational orchestra where our students can learn and be mentored by some of the best musicians anywhere," she said. "At the same time, it's a great benefit to the community, letting audiences experience remarkable music and musicianship with expansive programming from Beethoven to hip-hop. "Our opening concert Oct. 4 will be a treat with symphonies by Prokofiev and Beethoven plus music written by participants of the Otis Redding Foundation's student camps done symphonically." Other performances are set for Nov. 22, Feb. 14 and April 25. As for the Macon Pops and its days ahead, Steve said he's looking forward to a full, live season and furthering involvement in the community. When permissible, he also plans to expand the Pops' educational work in local schools. And, he's anticipating more work in his studio. "I love having been so blessed to stay busy as a recording engineer, producer and playing drums through COVID," he Left: McDuffie Center for Strings students will have the opportunity to perform with the new Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra; photo by Matt Odom. Below: Amy and Steve Moretti. 'I WAS INSPIRED BY THE THINGS ROBERT MCDUFFIE AND AMY MORETTI HAVE DONE MUSICALLY AND IN THE COMMUNITY — THE MANY TRANSFORMATIVE THINGS THAT THEY'VE DONE.' — CHRIS YICK