Bruce Coppock among Sally Award winners
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts has announced the 2008 Sally Ordway Irvine Awards.
Each year the Ordway present the Sally awards to individuals or institutions for their contributions to the state's cultural life.
This year the Ordway is recognizing Bruce Coppock, former managing director of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra for his initiative.
"What people say about the symphony world sometimes - the classical music world - is that we do things the same old way. And one of the most remarkable aspects of Bruce's contribution is he's never been about doing things the same old way," said Ordway president and CEO Patricia Mitchell.
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Under Coppock's direction, the SPCO sought to eliminate attendance barriers by bringing performances to the suburbs and reducing ticket prices. Coppock stepped down from the SPCO last summer after being diagnosed with cancer.
This year's Sally award in education goes to the St. Francis Music Center in Little Falls, Minn.
"There are 8,000 people in Little Falls. They serve the entire region of central Minnesota, where there are no string programs in any school. And the St. Francis Music Center has two full orchestras -- it's a remarkable community asset," said Mitchell
Veteran Twin Cities actress and educator Wendy Lehr and Mixed Blood Theatre are also being honored with Sally Awards.
