PARKERSBURG - Bowling and the symphony came together Saturday at the West Virginia Symphony League-Parkersburg's Strike Out for Music fundraiser at Emerson Lanes.
Becky Deem, president of the symphony league, said 65 people attended the event, the first of its kind for the local organization.
Deem said the event was to raise funds for the West Virginia Symphony to continue its music education programs in Wood and Washington county schools.
Article Photos
Photo by Jeffrey Saulton
Members of the Kiwi team at the West Virginia Symphony League-Parkersburg’s Strike Out for Music fundraiser were, from left, Maestro Grant Cooper, Abby Hayhurst, John Lee and Margie Cooper.
"This a little different from the normal fundraiser," she said. "We have several teams of bowlers and the teams have names," she said.
"Maestro Grant Cooper and his wife, Margie, are members of the Kiwi team with Abby Hayhurst and John Lee. They use the name Kiwi since Cooper is from New Zealand."
Deem said 26 of the 46 lanes at Emerson Lanes were reserved for the symphony league on Saturday night.
Fact Box
Bowling For Dollars
A bowling fundraiser for the West Virginia Symphony League-Parkersburg took place Saturday at Emerson Lanes in Parkersburg.
Becky Deem, president of the symphony league, said 65 people attended to raise funds for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra to continue its music education programs in Wood and Washington county schools.
Maestro Grant Cooper, conductor of the West Virginia Symphony, said the event was different and it was a night for fun.
Various prizes were awarded during the evening, Deem said. She said the grand prize was two tickets to a West Virginia University Mountaineers football game, a two-night stay at the Morgantown EuroSuites and dinner for two at Stefano's.
Deem said this was the first fundraiser at Emerson Lanes. She said the manager, John Fazio, and his staff were very helpful in setting up for Saturday's event.
Cooper said the fundraiser was different from other fundraisers for the symphony.
"It's different and it has been a great night," he said. "It's a night of fun for people who have come together for a common interest."
Formed in 2004, the symphony league assists the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra-Parkersburg Board of Directors by organizing fundraising events and planning social programs to publicize and support the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Two years ago the league had a beer tasting party at the Parkersburg Art Center for its fundraiser, Deem said. Another beer tasting event is planned for this summer, she added.
