GSO Spotlight: Barbara Hammond and Susan and Adam Stensland

A Legacy of Musical Passion

Barbara Hammond, a former president of the Marietta Music Club and a devoted supporter of the GSO, reminisces about the early days when the club served as a nucleus for local music lovers and educators. “When I joined the Marietta Music Club, it was mostly composed of music lovers and music teachers…mostly piano teachers,” she recalls. Her involvement spans decades, from her presidency in 1964 to her ongoing support for the GSO. “I was always a supporter; when it became the Cobb Symphony, when we started the chorus and then when it became the GSO. I’ve been to basically every one of the concerts since the very beginning.” Barbara’s love for the chorus, in particular, is palpable: “When Michael Alexander told me he wanted to start a chorus, I said “choose me, choose me!” I really wanted to sing with that group. And I did for 10 years.”

Susan, Barbara’s daughter, didn’t initially share the same passion for orchestral music. “I wasn’t really an orchestra fan,” she admits. “I didn’t see the value in sitting for a whole concert where…from my early perspective…there’s not anything to look at! I appreciated what it meant to my mom, but I didn’t really understand the value until I started seeing the difference it made in people’s lives.” Susan’s journey with the GSO began in 2006, when she took on the role of Executive Assistant to the Executive Director. Her background in accounting and art, coupled with her deepening appreciation for music, eventually led her to become the Executive Director herself. “I started attending all the rehearsals. Seeing the conductor craft the music so beautifully made a huge impact on my appreciation for the art and the craft.”

“Susan is a visual artist, she sees the work that goes into things…weaving and painting and glasswork,” Barbara added. “I think watching the conductor craft the music in rehearsal made a huge impact on her. She could see the art and the craft of it.”

Susan’s son Adam, represents the third generation of the family connected to the GSO. Although he missed the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO) by just a year, Adam’s relationship with the GSO is profound. “I spent my senior year running the box office, helping with the holiday show, handing out trees in the hot sun at concerts on the Square. I’m a product of Cobb bands and music education,” he says, reflecting on his time as a drum major and glee club member at Georgia Tech. Adam now uses his business acumen to contribute to the GSO as a new member of the Board of Directors. He recognizes the importance of sustaining the organization and engaging a younger audience. “There’s a younger pipeline of music aficionados, born from the excellent music programs in the Cobb schools. We need to figure out how to engage them effectively.”

The Symphony’s Evolution and Impact

The GSO has grown in tandem with Cobb County, reflecting the area’s expansion and increasing diversity. “Marietta Music Club was small. Marietta was small!” Barbara remembers, “In the 50’s and 60’s all we had was the Square. Everything just grew.” From the addition of a youth symphony (GYSO), Jazz ensembles and the chorus, to new partnerships like the Make-a-Wish Foundation and initiatives like the Sensory Friendly concerts, “the GSO was moving to bring in a broader community,” says Adam.

Susan notes the transformative power of music, particularly through programs like the Sensory Friendly (SF) concerts, which she describes as “pretty special.” These concerts, designed with the needs of autistic individuals in mind, have not only enriched the lives of attendees but also sparked broader conversations within the arts community. “We were among the first in the arts to offer these opportunities, and it became a conversation about how to include overlooked groups,” she explains.

Barbara echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the life-changing impact of music. “Being in music changes your life. It changes your body, your pulse. It’s scientific,” she says. The GSO’s programming, which often pairs classic works with innovative new pieces, continues to challenge and delight audiences, offering fresh perspectives on well-loved compositions.

Looking to the Future

As the GSO looks ahead, the Stensland family envisions a future where the organization remains a vital and sustainable part of the community. Adam speaks of the importance of creating an efficient and effective non-profit that can continue to grow and engage new audiences. “The start is sustainment. Then it’s about pipeline and growth,” he says. Barbara and Susan both highlight the need for deeper connections with local schools and the broader community, ensuring that the GSO remains accessible and relevant to all.

“My dream for the GSO is to be the advocate within the community for connection through music,” Susan shares. “To be the group that’s always looking to see who we’re missing, who needs connecting, and how we can provide music in their life.”

A Treasure at Home

This generational story is a testament to the enduring power of music and the vital role the GSO plays in the cultural fabric of Marietta and Cobb County. As Susan poignantly puts it, “This is a treasure, right here. It’s home-grown, but it’s world-class. It’s born of us. It’s our own, and yet the quality is amazing.” The GSO continues to be a source of pride, joy, and inspiration for the Stenslands and the entire community, bridging generations through the universal language of music.