Why the Aiken Opera Society came into being - what we will accomplish

Established in 2000, the Aiken Opera Society is a non-profit organization whose members are opera enthusiasts.  Our mission is to encourage and develop an active interest in this unique art form.  To do so, the organization sponsors educational outreach, special events, a Young Artist Competition, and attendance to regional opera performances.

The Aiken Opera Society is dedicated to bringing the experience of live opera performances to students in our Aiken County Schools.  Each year a group of Aiken County students in select schools is treated to opera performances by the Augusta Opera Outreach and FBN Productions.  This year, performances were held at Busbee, ,Chukker Creek, Gloverville, Jefferson, Redcilffe, and Warrenville Elementary Schools.  In recent years, we have sponsored opera performances at J.D. Lever, North Aiken, Belvedere, North Augusta, Mossy Creek, Aiken, and St. Mary Help of Christians Schools.  The impact upon students has been tremendously positive and we now have principals and teachers calling us to request that a performance come to their school.

We are fortunate to have, just across the river, the Augusta Opera Company.  This company has been the proving ground for performers who have achieved national and international acclaim.   The Opera Preview is a special event sponsored by the Aiken Opera Society in partnership with Augusta Opera.  The Preview provides members with an opportunity to learn about the historical and musical background of the current opera production in Augusta, as well as hear cast members perform selections from the opera.  It remains one of our most popular special events. 

The Aiken Opera Society and the Masterworks Chorale, a premier civic choral ensemble, have joined efforts to identify and nurture young vocal talent.  Because of the committed efforts of our supporters and members, we proudly held our inaugural Young Artist Competition February 16, 2008.  The winner of the competition, Miss Caroline Alexander, received $1000.00 in scholarship money.  The second and third place winners received $200.00 and $100.00 respectively. We look forward to our future Young Artist competitions and the opportunity to help young singers reach their professional goals. To learn more about Caroline, please see our Newsletter. 

The Aiken Opera Society encourages active interest in opera by informing members of performances taking place throughout the region including Augusta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Newberry, SC; Charleston, SC; and Atlanta, GA.  We encourage our members to attend live performances by assisting them in acquiring tickets at special discounts and arranging transportation when the number of attendees exceeds ten people.  Our “Road Trips” are great fun!

The Aiken Opera Society needs your help in accomplishing our mission!  Please join us in our efforts to provide our community with wonderful opportunities to learn about, enjoy and promote “one of the most magnificent and expensive diversions the wit of man can invent.”