The Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra kicks off its first concert of the 2018-2019 season on Thursday, September 27th, at the First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro. This year’s theme for the five mainstage concerts is taken from your favorite movies. “We named the season Playing the Soundtrack of your Life, picking some of the most famous movie masterpieces over the last several generations,” said Jane McNulty, president of the board of directors of the Symphony.
Why movie music for a symphony orchestra? Ms. McNulty said that a lot of people are not aware that cherished songs and music from their favorite movies came from classical composers, such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Richard Strauss. The symphony will craftily connect the dots to these familiar tunes through this season’s concerts.
A stunning season line-up starts with “Night at the Movies” featuring the introduction to 2001 a Space Odyssey, Tara Theme from Gone with the Wind, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Singing in the Rain along with more recent pieces such as Star Trek Through the Years and Suite from Jaws.
The first concert is conducted by Dan Allcott who was part of the group of guest conductors for the Symphony last year, and who has conducted orchestras in Denmark, Texas, and Indiana to name a few. He currently serves on the faculty of Tennessee Tech in Cookeville where he is Director of Orchestras and Cello Studies.
The second concert is “Around the World with MSO” which is a tribute to our military veterans and will be held November 9, 2018. Featuring patriotic pieces such as Yankee Doodle Dandy, God Bless America, Theme from Mash, and Stars and Stripes. The concert will have many special guests, including 1SG Richard Lutz, Melissa Mitchell and MC Potts, along with pianist Kelli Cox.
The third and traditionally most popular concert of the season is “Christmas at the Movies” on December 13, 2018. It will be conducted by Elias Salazar who is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Trevecca Symphony Orchestra and Nashville Collegiate Orchestra. Mr. Salazar was also a guest conductor last year. Among the pieces to ring in the Christmas season is Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, The Polar Express, A Charlie Brown Christmas. In addition, Charlene Parkinson will conduct the Murfreesboro Symphony Chorus with more familiar movie tunes.
The fourth concert “Love Songs Through the Movies” takes place February 14, 2019, on Valentine’s Day. This concert is conducted by Jordan Tang and will feature classics such as The Marriage of Figaro, Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet and Lara’s Theme to name a few. A perfect Valentine’s Day presentation.
The fifth and final mainstage concert is “Night at the Movies – The Sequel”. It is scheduled for April 25, 2019, and will be conducted by César Leal, and will feature everything from Disney Tunes to the Sound of Music and more classical works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Paul Dukas and Amilcare Ponchielli to name a few.