Sasse French served as the Executive Director of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera beginning in 2007 and was widely credited with increasing and enhancing the scope of the CSO, while making the organization more financially stable. After resigning from the CSO in January 2016 for medical reasons, Sasse French remained an avid supporter of the CSO and attended concerts and events as often as she could. A fixture in the community, she was active in many local and national organizations and at her church, First Centenary United Methodist.
Current Executive Director Samantha Teter said, “When I was promoted to Executive Director after Molly’s resignation, I knew that I had big shoes to fill. Molly was respected by so many in the community. The CSO is stronger because of her nine years at the helm, and her influence on this organization will be sorely missed.”
Services for Sasse French will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 3pm at First Centenary United Methodist Church on McCallie Avenue. The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will perform its Thursday, October 20 Masterworks concert which will include Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, a work that according to Music Director Kayoko Dan celebrates art and life and was a personal favorite of Sasse French, in her memory.
Memorial gifts to the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera may be made by calling 423.267.8583 x 2103 or visiting www.chattanoogasymphony.org.
Statements of support from the community
Statement from John Farrimond, Siskin Childrens' Institute
Cancer is the enemy of us all and I do not hide my anger that it has taken yet another good person from us. Molly will be missed and I’m sure her contributions to the Symphony and the community will not be forgotten.
John Farrimond
President & CEO
Siskin Children’s Institute
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