Kelly Corcoran
Local residents have one last chance to catch the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra before its concerts come to a close.
Slated for April 14, the concert will feature American music in two parts: the first half will feature Dvorak’s New World Symphony, while the second half will offer a mixture of favorite American tunes from Duke Ellington to Copeland, according to guest conductor Kelly Corcoran.
“It’s nice to explore the concept of American music and how broad of a spectrum that can be,” Corcoran said. “It’s reflective of the diversity of our country and the people that live here.”
While Dvorak is Russian, he composed that work while living in America, she explained.
“This is kind of a fun program for audiences who maybe want a straightforward classical composition, which we have in the first half, followed by a lighter fun second half; they get a little bit of both sides with this program,” Corcoran said.
“It is very broad and very appealing to anyone that might want to come, whether a classical music lover or it is their first time coming to the symphony.”
While she’s never led the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra before, Corcoran has been a guest conductor of other symphonies and serves as associate conductor of the award-winning Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
This season, all of the concerts have featured guest conductors, according to Brooks Christol, marketing director for the Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra. He explained that the conductor and music director, Jeff Reed, recently left the program after three years with the symphony.
“This year, instead of trying to hurriedly choose a conductor, we invited several local quality conductors to lead the symphony as we continue to look for a permanent conductor,” Christol said, adding that this season is called “Our Very Own.”
“All of our guest conductors and guest artists have deep roots within Middle Tennessee.”
With Nashville’s incredible symphony only half an hour away, some might question the need for Murfreesboro to have its own symphony. But Corcoran says residents should be proud this music is offered so close to home.
“Certainly there’s a pride that comes in having your own symphony,” she began. “Murfreesboro Symphony is a professional orchestra. It is of a certain stature and caliber because all the musicians are paid, and I think Murfreesboro should be proud because it is a professional orchestra.”
She pointed to the number of talented musicians living nearby and how Murfreesboro has become a musical community. Given the pool of talent, it is natural for the city to have its own symphony.
“The great thing about live music is that every performance is truly unique,” Corcoran said. “It is wonderful that residents can come up the road and listen to the Nashville Symphony—a Grammy-winning, classic orchestra—and it’s wonderful that people can go to Murfreesboro and hear a different concert. You can never have too much music.”
The Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra also offers a program different from those in Nashville.
“It’s really catering to the specific wants and needs of the community in Murfreesboro,” Corcoran explained.
“I just think that it’s really important, as a community, that your own orchestra can provide things for your community that no one else can. They can provide education opportunities more than any other orchestra simply because they are right there.”
The Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra will perform its final concert of the season beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14 at First United Methodist Church located at 265 West Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro.
Tickets can be purchased for $10, $25 or $40 through www.MurfreesboroSymphony.com or by calling 615-898-1862.
Additionally, 2011-2012 season tickets will go on sale April 14 at a 10 percent discount if purchased before April 30. They will be available at the door or by calling the symphony office.
