David Michael Wolff was already an accomplished pianist and conductor when he came to Pinehurst two years ago to start the Carolina Philharmonic.

Today, Wolff’s renown grows with each concert he conducts.

The Sandhills SCORE chapter recognized Wolff last week for starting the nonprofit from scratch and taking it to high acclaim in such a short time by awarding him its inaugural Marketing Award.

“Where you have taken things is astounding,” SCORE Chairman Glenn Phelps told Wolff in presenting him the award before a dinner at Table on the Green. “You represent the true spirit of entrepreneuriam.”

Phelps said the region was “blessed” to have Wolff.

“In the past, we have had to import music of this quality,” he said. “Now, we’re so pleased to have our own. Thank you for all that you do for this community.”

Wolff said he was humbled by the award.

“When I came here, I knew Pinehurst could become the next Aspen, but we only had one employee and one volunteer,” he said. “We have over 100 volunteers now, and our challenge is to find them things to do in an organized manner.”

Wolff also turned the tables on Phelps, thanking him and the other SCORE members who helped incorporate the nonprofit.

“I know how to make music, but the business aspect has been a community effort,” Wolff said. “There’s such an amazing wealth of wisdom in Moore County, which is something I didn’t realize when I moved here.”

Wolff said he likely would have “wasted dozen of years” making mistakes had it not been for the wise business counsel that he received.

“The biggest blessing for me has been the knowledge these mentors and friends have shared with me,” he said.

Unfortunately, Wolff did not have time to stay for dinner last week because he was rehearsing for a Dec. 18 presentation of Handel’s “Messiah,” the second of four concerts in the Pinehurst Pops Series.

The concert will feature more than 20 musicians, a 50-member choir and four soloists, including Wolff’s wife, Young Mee Jun.

“We have tried to more clearly define what the market needs, and there wasn’t a whole lot of Pops programming in the region,” Wolff said. “We’ve kept pushing forward.”

Among other marketing methods, the Carolina Philharmonic sends a weekly e-blast to about 1,300 patrons and sells 40 percent of its tickets online.

“It’s easier for people to get tickets and it’s a lot less work for our staff,” Wolff said.

Phelps said the local SCORE chapter initiated the award to help “get the SCORE name out on the street.”

“This is an exciting time to be able to help people,” he said.

The local chapter already co-sponsors the “Good to Great” essay contest, a $1,500 award annually presented by SCORE and the Moore County Chamber of Commerce to a small business in Moore County during Small Business Week.

Phelps said Wolff was selected for the first marketing award because he has done “so many things so fast.”

“But he won’t be the last winner, because this award will be perpetuated,” Phelps said.

Bravo!

Contact Ted M. Natt at tnatt@thepilot.com.