Letters to the Editor

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Standing ovation

Piccolo Spoleto, the official outreach arm of Spoleto Festival USA, was founded by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in 1979. Piccolo's goal is to offer "something wonderful for everyone" and to make the Spoleto Festival experience accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic, social or physical circumstances.

During the last 30 years, Piccolo Spoleto has more than lived up to its mission, and we'd like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank those responsible for their successful efforts.

For the past three years, Piccolo Spoleto has offered free performances at our hospitals, reaching patients and visitors who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend as well as our employees, physicians and volunteers.

Each year, these performers have touched us not only with their amazing talent, but also their impressive commitment to community outreach in the arts.

This year at Bon Secours St. Francis and Roper hospitals, we were treated to the peaceful and healing sounds of chamber music, showcasing the talents of the Piccolo Spoleto Conservatory Orchestra. And for the first time, Piccolo Spoleto performed at our Roper St. Francis Medical Center Berkeley in Moncks Corner, where attendees were delighted by "Dry Run," a unique musical quartet whose performance featured a diverse repertoire ranging from Bach to country classics.

On behalf of our entire Roper St. Francis family, we would like to thank the City of Charleston's Office of Cultural Affairs for making these performances possible, with special acknowledgment of Director Ellen Dressler Moryl and Operations Coordinator Holley Van Horn.

We are proud to be part of Piccolo Spoleto and are already looking forward to next year. Here's to you and your 30th anniversary.

Matt Severance

CEO, Roper Hospital

Roper St. Francis Healthcare

Doughty Street, Suite 760

Charleston

This letter was also signed by: Allen Carroll, CEO, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital; Brenda Myers, director, Roper St. Francis Medical Center Berkeley.