Beethoven's birthday was December 17, 1770 and he celebrates his 250th birthday this year. Join us in celebrating 100 Days of Beethoven!
Composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven grew up in Germany. By the time he was 12 years old, he was earning a living for his family by playing the organ and composing original music. Eventually, he became known as one of the world’s greatest pianists and one of the greatest composers of all time. He composed many of his works after he had become deaf.
Composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven grew up in Germany. By the time he was 12 years old, he was earning a living for his family by playing the organ and composing original music. Eventually, he became known as one of the world’s greatest pianists and one of the greatest composers of all time. He composed many of his works after he had become deaf.
Take a photo with Beethoven and share it with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra!
If Beethoven were a guest in your home or neighborhood, where would you take him?
Join us in celebrating 100 Days of Beethoven by making a Beethoven cut-out using the illustration below. Take a photo with your cut-out and share it with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra at:
Join us in celebrating 100 Days of Beethoven by making a Beethoven cut-out using the illustration below. Take a photo with your cut-out and share it with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra at:
- marketing@wilmingtonsymphony.org,
- on social media using #WSOlovesBeethoven,
- the Facebook and Instragram handle @wilmingtonsymphony,
- or the Twitter handle @wilmsymphony.
Where in North Carolina has Beethoven visited?
Day 42: Beethoven enjoys the view at LakeHouse Restaurant in Lake Lure, North Carolina!

Day 42: Beethoven found his way to Lake Lure, NC this weekend! He recommends the BBQ pulled pork sandwich at LakeHouse Restaurant.
Day 21: Beethoven receives a ballet lesson!

Day 21: Rose is teaching Beethoven a thing or two about ballet! Rose says "I just got a new Carol King record, and while Beethoven listens, he is watching me do ballet on my barre! This cheers him up because he loves music, and I bet he likes to see me dancing to a new record!"
Day 15: Beethoven goes to the CAM, rides a scooter and practices violin!

Day 15: Beethoven is making sure Lillian uses proper form while she practices!

Day 15: Beethoven admiring the Clyde Jones' art at the Cameron Art Museum! (Pictures submitted by Wilmington Symphony Junior Strings student & 2019 Richard R. Deas Young Artist Concerto Competition Junior Division winner, Saybren Long)

Day 15: Beethoven and Jaxon ride on a scooter. Jaxon says "I think Beethoven would like this because he never really got to go outside and relax."
Day 14: Beethoven visits the Wilson Center and goes kayaking!

Day 14: Shane Fernando, Vice President of Advancement and the Arts at Cape Fear Community College, gives Beethoven a tour of the
Wilson Center - Cape Fear Community College! Beethoven can not wait to hear the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra perform in this beautiful music hall!
Wilson Center - Cape Fear Community College! Beethoven can not wait to hear the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra perform in this beautiful music hall!

Day 14: Beethoven goes kayaking with Janet!
Day 12: Beethoven enjoys the sunset and attends an outdoor Graduation recital!

Day 12: Matthew and Beethoven went to the beach to watch the sunset.

Day 12: "Beethoven attended Stevenson-Stohl Suzuki Studio's 1st ever outdoor Graduation recital. He had a wonderful time! He's in the crowd of people, so this is More like Where's Waldo....I mean Where's Beethoven."
Day 11: Beethoven enjoys the weather with Edward and attends his first Young Professionals event!

Day 11: Beethoven and Edward are enjoying the beautiful Fall weather. Edward says “Beethoven likes nature and music in the background.”

Day 11: Beethoven found his way to the Port City Young Professionals networking event! Thanks to Mac’s Speed Shop and Port City Young Professionals for organizing a safe and fun in-person event.
Day 10: Beethoven jumps on the trampoline with Bentley and listens to "The United Nations'" charter theme!

Day 10: On this fine Sunday, Beethoven jumps on the trampoline with Bentley. Bentley says “Beethoven likes the outdoors and the rhythm of the trampoline might sound like a beat.”

Day 10: "The United Nations' charter theme will be getting remastered for their 75th Anniversary, so Beethoven decided to take a listen to the violin part before I send in the audio!" - Submitted by Shirly Lebo, WSO violinist
Day 9: Beethoven visits Roland-Grise Middle School and Surf City Middle School!

Day 9: Beethoven is ready to conduct the 8th-grade band at Surf City Middle School! Notice he is appropriately masked. The second picture is him deciding what instrument to play with the 6th-grade band. What instrument will Beethoven choose?!

Day 9: Beethoven helps Lisa teach Roland-Grise Middle School orchestra students how to tune over Zoom.
Day 8: Beethoven visits the Stevenson-Stohl Suzuki Studio!

Day 8: "Beethoven came to Aria's violin lesson this morning and learned a little Lalo Symphony Espagnol. He also showed her a thing or two." from the Stevenson-Stohl Suzuki Studio
Day 7: Beethoven practices with Siena and inspires the Wilmington Symphonic Winds!
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Day 7: For their #wilmingtonsymphonicwednesday, the Wilmington Symphonic Winds shared a recording of Michael Markowski's joyRIDE from their May 2019 concert, Our Town. joyRIDE is inspired by the Ode to Joy from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony! #WSWlovesBeethoventoo
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Day 7: It looks like Beethoven is supervising Siena as she practices “Für Elise”!
Day 6: Beethoven attends the WILMA Leadership Institute graduation at Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar!

Day 6: Last night at Cloud 9 Rooftop Bar, our Development Director, Breana Hebert, graduated from the 2020 WILMA Leadership Institute! Congratulations to the 2020 WILMA Leadership Institute class on your leadership in our community! Pictured from left to right: Tracy Saieed, Mariah Bianchi, Breana Hebert, Beethoven, Dana Allen, and Laken Greenwood.
Day 5: Beethoven visits the "Great Barrier Reef" and practices with WSO conductor Steven Errante!

Day 5: “Beethoven visiting the ‘Great Barrier Reef’ of Wilmington, NC. This could have been his inspiration and precursor to his 9th symphony: The ‘Coral’ symphony. (‘Choral Symphony’). I guess we'll never know... Thanks to Coastal Reef Aquariums on Eastwood Road for allowing me to use their Tropical Coral Reef Tank display for this photo opportunity.” Respectfully submitted by Tanya Hanano, 42nd Richard R Deas Young Artist Concerto Competition-UNCW Division winner (2018).

Day 5: We found Beethoven with WSO conductor Steven Errante!
Fun fact: Steven might be six degrees separated from Beethoven!
• His piano teacher during college was John Kollen.
• Prof. Kollen studied with Artur Schnabel.
• Schnabel studied with Theodor Leschetizky.
• Leschetizky studied with Carl Czerny.
• Czerny was a pupil of Beethoven.
Fun fact: Steven might be six degrees separated from Beethoven!
• His piano teacher during college was John Kollen.
• Prof. Kollen studied with Artur Schnabel.
• Schnabel studied with Theodor Leschetizky.
• Leschetizky studied with Carl Czerny.
• Czerny was a pupil of Beethoven.