Published: June 17, 2009 08:21 am      

Southern Stars Symphonic Brass named Client of the Year Runner Up

In recognition of the small business community's contribution to the American economy and society, the president of the United States designates one week each year as National Small Business Week. This year it was May 17-23. During that week, Greater Knoxville SCORE Chapter, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting small business owners start and expand their businesses, presented awards honoring the area's entrepreneurs and small business champions.

 The Greater Knoxville SCORE Chapter named Southern Stars Symphonic Brass as its Client of the Year Runner-Up.

 Dwight Wages, founder of Southern Stars Symphonic Brass, a nonprofit paid professional 30-piece brass band, has built his business from a startup last year into a successful operation averaging 200-300 audience members per performance. Wages was honored at a reception on May 20 at Rothchild's Conference Center.

Wages first attended a SCORE workshop held by counselors Dana Peterka and Don Griffin at Roane State Community College. He has since continued to partner with SCORE mentors to work on small business formation strategy, marketing strategy and financial projections, and to connect with local area resources. 

Several happy audience members, which have rated the group an average of 9.8 out of 10 in surveys, provided testimonials.

• Longtime Crossville native, Brenda Hinch said, "I've been to several of their concerts and they are just wonderful. You can't go to Knoxville or Nashville and hear anything better than this symphonic brass group. We are blessed to have them in our midst."

• Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill commented, "My family and I agreed that our community is blessed to have such talent assembled and giving concerts here. They play a variety of selections, performed with great energy and enthusiasm. We are looking forward to their next concert."

Since 1964, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" has assisted more than eight million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneurial education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, call (865) 692-0716 or visit the Greater Knoxville SCORE Chapter at www.scoreknox.org.