FROM COURTROOM TO CONCERT HALL
Jenine Baines
February 13, 2008
MOBILE, Ala. For over 30 years, attorney Richard Dorman – a partner at the firm of Cunningham, Bounds, Crowder, Brown and Breedlove in Mobile – has come to the aid of area residents struggling to resolve legal issues involving consumer fraud, product liability, banking, commercial and warranty law and building products. But Dorman, who received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law and a degree in International Law from the University of Oxford, England, recently set precedent in the concert hall rather than the courtroom, when he pledged $100,000 to the Mobile Symphony Orchestra (MSO).
"This is a testament to the confidence Mr. Dorman shows in our orchestra and our community," says Stephen Hedrick, MSO Executive Director. "It´s just terrific!"
Dorman´s generous gift will ensure that the MSO continues to grow, Hedrick adds. The orchestra will now be able to offer more concerts and reach an even wider and more diverse audience throughout the Gulf Coast region.
Statistics back up this claim. In 2005/2006, the MSO´s annual budget was $1.2 million for 9 performances reaching an audience of 12,600 music lovers. Next season, the budget will increase to $1.9 million for 18 performances projected to entice 30,000 concertgoers.
"Richard is a visionary who truly sees the groundbreaking, musically renowned organization that we can become," says Scott Speck, Music Director of the Mobile Symphony. "I am proud and honored that he has chosen the Mobile Symphony for this generous gift."
However, although he has been a longtime MSO supporter, Dorman´s philanthropic endeavors are not limited to the arts. After Hurricane Katrina struck, the attorney traveled every weekend for two months to Waveland, Mississippi, delivering supplies to those in need. He also served as co-chairman for the Bridging Generations capital campaign for the Mary Abbie Berg Senior Center. Additional organizations that have benefited, over the years, from Dorman´s expertise and generosity include Catholic Social Services, Senior Citizens Services, the Atticus Finch Society, the Historic Mobile Preservation Society, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA, the Mobile Arts Council, the University of Alabama Law School Foundation and the Legal Services Corporation of Alabama.
"Beethoven once wrote that ´music can change the world,´" says Hedrick. "Mr. Dorman proves that the great composer knew what he was talking about. There is no music lover in the Mobile Bay area who is doing more right now to change our local ´world´ for the better than Richard Dorman. We´re so fortunate to call him our friend."
To join Richard Dorman in supporting the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, contact MSO´s Development Director Mary Hadley at 251.432.2010 or visit the orchestra´s website at www.mobilesymphony.org. A gift to the Annual Campaign will help bridge the 45% gap between funds brought in through ticket sales and the costs of providing performances and education programs for the community.
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1970 as the Symphony Concerts of Mobile. Its mission was to present world-class touring orchestras such as Alabama Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra for six evening concerts. In 1996, the Board of Directors decided that to serve the educational, quality of life, and economic development needs of the community, it should create its own orchestra of local professional musicians.
Today, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, under Music Director Scott Speck, is the premier producer of live symphonic music in the Gulf Coast region. It is committed to enhancing the lives of every member of the community by achieving the highest standards in live symphonic music and music education.
"This is a testament to the confidence Mr. Dorman shows in our orchestra and our community," says Stephen Hedrick, MSO Executive Director. "It´s just terrific!"
Dorman´s generous gift will ensure that the MSO continues to grow, Hedrick adds. The orchestra will now be able to offer more concerts and reach an even wider and more diverse audience throughout the Gulf Coast region.
Statistics back up this claim. In 2005/2006, the MSO´s annual budget was $1.2 million for 9 performances reaching an audience of 12,600 music lovers. Next season, the budget will increase to $1.9 million for 18 performances projected to entice 30,000 concertgoers.
"Richard is a visionary who truly sees the groundbreaking, musically renowned organization that we can become," says Scott Speck, Music Director of the Mobile Symphony. "I am proud and honored that he has chosen the Mobile Symphony for this generous gift."
However, although he has been a longtime MSO supporter, Dorman´s philanthropic endeavors are not limited to the arts. After Hurricane Katrina struck, the attorney traveled every weekend for two months to Waveland, Mississippi, delivering supplies to those in need. He also served as co-chairman for the Bridging Generations capital campaign for the Mary Abbie Berg Senior Center. Additional organizations that have benefited, over the years, from Dorman´s expertise and generosity include Catholic Social Services, Senior Citizens Services, the Atticus Finch Society, the Historic Mobile Preservation Society, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA, the Mobile Arts Council, the University of Alabama Law School Foundation and the Legal Services Corporation of Alabama.
"Beethoven once wrote that ´music can change the world,´" says Hedrick. "Mr. Dorman proves that the great composer knew what he was talking about. There is no music lover in the Mobile Bay area who is doing more right now to change our local ´world´ for the better than Richard Dorman. We´re so fortunate to call him our friend."
To join Richard Dorman in supporting the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, contact MSO´s Development Director Mary Hadley at 251.432.2010 or visit the orchestra´s website at www.mobilesymphony.org. A gift to the Annual Campaign will help bridge the 45% gap between funds brought in through ticket sales and the costs of providing performances and education programs for the community.
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1970 as the Symphony Concerts of Mobile. Its mission was to present world-class touring orchestras such as Alabama Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra for six evening concerts. In 1996, the Board of Directors decided that to serve the educational, quality of life, and economic development needs of the community, it should create its own orchestra of local professional musicians.
Today, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, under Music Director Scott Speck, is the premier producer of live symphonic music in the Gulf Coast region. It is committed to enhancing the lives of every member of the community by achieving the highest standards in live symphonic music and music education.
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