A home–town chord was struck last Saturday evening at the Koger Center, when guest conductor Dr. Erin Freeman stepped to the podium to lead the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra. Her grandmother Cornelia Freeman led the cheering section. And Columbia’s music community received yet another contribution from one of its most dedicated families.

Cornelia Freeman’s name is well known in local music circles. Over many decades, she has provided leadership in music education and performance and contributed scholarship money and concert support to the University of South Carolina’s music school. Her granddaughter Erin now follows the family tradition. She is associate conductor and interim artistic advisor of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in Virginia.

“Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to make music my life’s work,” said Erin. “I play the piano and earned a degree in voice performance. By then, I had discovered orchestra conducting, and I went on to earn a master’s and then a doctorate in conducting. I realized along the way that the ensemble element of an orchestra is what drew me to it, rather than solo work. It’s wonderful to work with a group of dedicated and accomplished people, doing what we all love.”

Cornelia Freeman flew to California as soon as her granddaughter Erin was born. (Inset) Dr. Erin Freeman as a grown woman. Erin also has two items of praise for South Carolina: “You are very fortunate to have this wonderful symphony orchestra. And, the orchestra is fortunate in the active support this community gives it. Keep it up!”

The conductor of the South Carolina Philharmonic, Morihiko Nakahara, invites a guest conductor for one program each year. Erin’s January program was designated the annual “Beethoven in Blue Jeans” concert, and featured two high school students who won awards in international piano concerto competition.

Robert E. L. and Cornelia Freeman with their granddaughter Dr. Erin Freeman “We do a similar program in Richmond,” Erin said. “We call it ‘Kicked Back Classics,’ just a program of familiar work which won’t be intimidating to new listeners and may help to bring them into a lifetime of enjoying classical music. Actually, this may have its roots in the premiere performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in the 18th century. For that program, the audience was admonished not to wear hoopskirts or swords for the evening.”