In 1996, the orchestra's percussion section hosted a birthday for Sage, and when he came to a concert he sat so that he could see the timpanist perform.

"We are extremely grateful for the extraordinarily generous commitment of George and [Sage's wife] Barbara toward our shared goals of expanding the artistic growth of the orchestra and building the future of music education in Rhode Island, Almon Hall, the philharmonic board president, said in the statement.

Sage and his wife subscribed to the philharmonic, donated for several years and supported many philhamormic special events, the philharmonic said.

After merging with the music school in 2000, the philharmonic orchestra sought space adequate to hold music education programs and adminstrative offices in one place. Last year, the orchestra philharmonic moved into East Providence offices, in part as a result of a $2 million challenge grant from the Carter Family Charitable Trust. Renovations are under way for expanded rehearsal and education space in that new headquarters, and the plan is to open Carter Center for Music Education this fall.

More than 1,500 Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts students take weekly lessons, classes and/or ensembles at the music school.