Memphis Symphony Blog

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Symphony in the Gardens ticket exchange

We invite you to exchange your Symphony in the Gardens ticket stub for a free visit to Dixon Gallery & Gardens, OR one free voucher to certain Memphis Symphony concerts in the 2012-2013 season. One Symphony in the Gardens ticket will admit 2 guests to the Dixon.  The Dixon offer will expire Saturday, September 29, 2012.  OR you can choose to redeem your Symphony in the Gardens ticket for one free voucher for a ticket to a regular First Tennessee Masterworks, Pops, or Paul... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 8:06 PM | 0 comments

Monday, May 07, 2012

Thank you, Jim!

When Dr. James Gholson, Jr. announced plans to retire from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra at the end of the 2011-12 season, the entire MSO family paused for reflection. An inspired and talented musician, Jim's presence in the orchestra has spanned five decades. Memphis' principal clarinetist since the mid-70s, he has been a consistent friend, mentor and teacher to many players from many directions, on a path traveled from modest community centers to institutions of higher learning. Jim is a... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 9:08 AM | 0 comments

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Rite of Spring contest!

Have you ever created a collage by cutting apart different parts of pictures and magazines and pasted them together to create your own work? Many famous visual artists use this same technique. Here is one by Pablo Picasso. The composer Igor Stravinsky was also intrigued by this idea of cross-cutting to create a musical collage – cutting and pasting, abrupt, no transitions. He used this technique in the Rite of Spring. See in the picture below where he literally pasted music... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 5:45 PM | 0 comments

Friday, February 24, 2012

MSO’s Opus One Connections Finale!

Our Opus One Connections free community program series, first described in an earlier blog post, is coming to a close this Sunday at 3:00pm in the courtyard beside the carrousel in the Hickory Ridge Mall. The Finale features the MSO Big Band performing Latin American repertoire by notable Hispanic singer/songwriters such as Tito Puentes, Elvis Crespo and more. In addition, dance instructors from Salsa Memphis will be present to give dance demonstrations and lessons. Come listen, dance and... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 3:58 PM | 0 comments
Opus One Opus One Connections

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Romancing the Sound Waves

As Valentine's Day quickly approaches, many of you are probably wondering how to woo your date.  Never fear, the Memphis Symphony has something to offer you.  Consider attending the Romeo & Juliet concert with guest artist Gil Shaham.  The timeless story of two lovers destined to be together but drawn apart violently by their circumstances has intrigued artists for centuries all around the world. The Greeks have Orpheus and Eurydice; the Chinese, the Butterfly Lovers;... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 10:24 AM | 0 comments
Mei-Ann Chen Valentines Day

Friday, January 27, 2012

A look into Opus One Connections

Blog post is a courtesy of Ricardo Callender , our Grants & Accountability Specialist in the Memphis Symphony administration. You may have heard of our Opus One Concert Series where MSO musicians collaborate with an artist of a different genre of music to produce a concert in a non-traditional venue. The series is intended to attract new audiences while maintaining a “laid back” concert atmosphere. From this concert series stemmed off the Opus One Connections community program.... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 11:31 AM | 0 comments
Opus One Opus One Connections

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Family Tunes & Tales this Saturday!

Family Tunes and Tales is a fun, free, and exciting way to get your children engaged in reading and music! Designed for 3-8 year-olds, this is the perfect opportunity for your young children to learn and experience first-hand how music and stories fit together. See the instrument families of the orchestra – string, brass, winds and percussion – in five small ensembles that rotate performances at a library near you. You can bring your children to every concert at your local library and see a... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 1:21 PM | 0 comments
Family Tunes & Tales

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Service, music pave path to healing

Team Max, Memphis Symphony will lead an act of 'vigilante philanthropy' at the Union Mission to help people linked by shared experience of loss. • By Gayle S. Rose, Special to The Commercial Appeal (Guest Column) • Memphis Commercial Appeal • Posted December 31, 2011 at 11 p.m. "... I want to give everything. I want to give it all. I want to find someplace where I can serve. I WANT TO SERVE ..." This is an entry my 19-year-old son, Max Rose, made in his diary in September 2008,... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 9:52 AM | 0 comments

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Home for the Holidays on Fox13 & Box Office Holiday Hours

  Home for the Holidays Gather the family & tune in to MSO on TV! Enjoy the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on television this week from the comfort of your home! Watch our Home for the Holidays concert on Memphis' FOX13 on December 23 at 9:30 p.m., Christmas Eve at 9:00 p.m. & on Christmas Day at 12:00 p.m. The broadcast in 2009 won a Mid-South Regional Emmy Award and this year's will be broadcast in digital... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 11:53 AM | 0 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Memphis Symphony Chorus

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Home for the Holidays Standby Tickets

Tickets are almost sold out at the Cannon Center for tonight's Home for the Holidays performance. You can purchase our remaining tickets online here . For those of you who don't have seats...there's still hope for you. We are offering our Standby Tickets for $25 ($5 for students and children). Here's how Standby Tickets work: 1) You purchase a $25 (or $5) ticket at the Will Call/Box Office table next to the Cannon Center box office 2) At 8:00 p.m. we let you... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 1:23 PM | 1 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Why you should attend Messiah

Memphis has no shortage of things to do on a Friday night. If you head Downtown, you’ll be overwhelmed with all of the great restaurants and opportunities to celebrate life and good food. But Friday, December 9, we insist that you head downtown to the Cannon Center to attend Memphis Messiah . This production includes talented Memphians in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Rhodes MasterSingers Chorale , and it directly benefits a Memphis-based non-profit Foundation, Orphanos ,... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 4:45 PM | 0 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Orphanos Rhodes MasterSingers Chorale

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Interview with Adrienne Park

Adrienne Park is the Principal Memphis Symphony piano and celeste player. She is one of our guest artists for this weekend’s First Tennessee Masterworks performance of From the Blue Danube…to the Pines of Rome . She and Victor Santiago Asuncion will perform the Poulenc concerto in D minor for Two Pianos and Orchestra.   1) Where did you grow up? I grew up in Oxford, Mississippi, but I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I lived there for 3 years and then lived in... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 3:36 PM | 0 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Friday, November 11, 2011

Memphis Symphony Chorus Fruit Sale!

Support the Memphis Symphony Chorus in their 45th Anniversary Season by purchasing some scrumptious fruit!  Read more about the fantastic deals you can get on fruit, all while supporting your Chorus!  Visit the Chorus website here . Memphis Symphony Chorus Fruit Sale December 10 - 11, 2011 New this year we have five junior sized boxes for those who might want a little less fruit. Junior boxes are available for Grapefruit, Oranges, Citrus Medley, Gift... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 5:16 PM | 0 comments
Memphis Symphony Chorus

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Opus One promo video for tonight!

Check out this promotional video for tonight's MSO Opus One concert! You can find the video here . Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 11:36 AM | 0 comments
Opus One Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Top 10 Reasons to see the MSO Opus One Concert

10.) Go to a symphony concert where they encourage you to get crunk. 9.) Drink beer and listen to Beethoven. 8.) Feel like tweeting your experience? Okay. Just don’t spill beer on yourself. 7.) Show up to an orchestra concert and wear jeans without shame. 6.) Dance. I dare you. 5.) Don’t feel like staying in the same spot? Then move. 4.) See some fantastic jookin. 3.) Have I mentioned Craig Brewer will be announcing Al Kapone? 2.) Where else have you... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 4:38 PM | 1 comments
Opus One Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Friday, November 04, 2011

Where in the World is Mei-Ann?

Where in the world is Mei-Ann Chen, our beloved Music Director? We've decided to keep track of her travels and her success in one easy place for you! See where she is right now!   View Full Size Travel Map at Travellerspoint Mei-Ann debuts with the CSO  for its scheduled Russian Festival concerts on Nov. 11, 12 and 13 in Music Hall.  Click here to read more! Review of Mei-Ann's debut with the CSO by Janelle Gelfand!  Conductor Chen makes... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 3:05 PM | 0 comments
Mei-Ann Chen

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Symphony in the Gallery

For those of you who attended Symphony in the Gardens at Dixon Gallery & Gardens, you very well know that this outdoor concert turned into Symphony in the Gallery. The staff from Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Dixon Gallery & Gardens carefully monitored the weather so as not to endanger patrons or musicians. Due to inclement weather and safety concerns, the planned concert was changed and the musicians moved indoors to perform in smaller chamber groups. While it was not a flawless... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 12:14 PM | 0 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Dixon Gallery and Gardens Outdoor Concert

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Symphony in the Gardens - Rain or Shine!

Our Symphony in the Gardens concert is happening tomorrow, on Sunday, September 25 at the beautiful Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Concert Information: The concert begins at 5:00 p.m., but the Gardens are open as early as 3:00 p.m. to enjoy.  Our Box Office and Will Call stations will be set up by 3:00 p.m., so anyone interested in purchasing a ticket will be able to buy them on the spot or pick up their tickets that they ordered this week.   Dixon Gallery and... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 11:15 AM | 2 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Dixon Gallery and Gardens Outdoor Concert

Friday, July 22, 2011

I know what you did this summer: MSO musicians Marian & Frank Shaffer

Q& A Series spotlighting MSO Musicians discussing their off-season, summertime activities. Today's featured musicians are Marian Shaffer, principal harp & Frank Shaffer, principal timpani. Not only are they married, but according to Frank theirs was "a symphony romance." They met playing in the Memphis Little Symphony in 1975. In addition, their two daughters are both harpists. How have you spent your time this summer? Marian taught and performed at the Sewanee... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 4:02 PM | 0 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Mei-Ann Chen

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Letters to Beethoven

Letters to Beethoven was a great success. I would like to thank everyone who worked to make this happen and to thank the patrons who took a few minutes to read the letters. The letters were all great. If you are unaware of what Letters to Beethoven is, here is a brief summary: Letters to Beethoven is a new project of the Memphis Symphony and Shelby County's Arts Infused Schools. Students examine the life and work of Ludwig van Beethoven in the classroom and find... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 2:08 PM | 0 comments

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Open for business

We realize and appreciate that many people are concerned about the flooding that has affected the area. But, according to the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau , less than 20% of actual land in Memphis has been impacted by rising water levels. Our show will go on. The corner of Poplar Ave. and Front St. - where the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts sits - is dry. It's adjacent parking garage and surrounding parking lots are also dry. So,  enjoy the lively... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 2:46 PM | 0 comments

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Consider the challenge

Setting an example is hard work.   Whether it’s becoming the artistic engagement model for orchestras around the country, or mentoring to the next generation of up-and-coming young musicians, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra is on the forefront of driving industry change.   But it’s our partnerships in the community that make me most proud of the MSO.   One of our violinists, Jennifer Puckett , leads a project with student musicians in an 8th grade... Read More
Posted by info@memphissymphony.org at 5:42 PM | 0 comments

Friday, May 06, 2011

In the gardens today

Symphony in the Gardens will carry on, rain or shine. Please be advised that the annual picnic on the grounds and performance by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens will go on this afternoon whether there is rain or not. Associate Conductor Stilian Kirov will be leading the orchestra. The gates open at 4 p.m. and the performance begins at 6.               Additionally, MSO music... Read More
Posted by info@memphissymphony.org at 2:51 PM | 0 comments

Friday, April 29, 2011

Tomorrow night's concert is sold out

Tomorrow night's concert, Ode to Joy , features Beethoven's monumental Ninth Symphony. Recently, author Harvey Sachs wrote a book -  The Ninth: Beethoven and the World in 1824 , which is an in-depth look into this particular piece. Sachs describes the third movement in this way: "nothing more beautiful . . . has ever been written for the symphony orchestra."  The Ninth Symphony's choral finale, "Ode to Joy," is one of those tunes that even people that don't listen to classical... Read More
Posted by info@memphissymphony.org at 3:23 PM | 0 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Memphis Symphony Chorus Mei-Ann Chen

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Mei-Ann Chen's Conductor Insights

Guest blog by MSO music director. "Vive la France!"  This weekend’s First Tennessee Masterworks program is devoted to two of the most important composers and an instrument often featured in the French repertoire. Debussy - the first iconic composer to write in the impressionistic style - changed music history with his Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (which will be heard in our upcoming Chamber program next week).  His Nocturnes are three movements inspired... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 3:30 PM | 0 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Memphis Symphony Chorus Berlioz Mei-Ann Chen

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Join us in the fight.

We're fighting against hunger.  As a League of American Orchestras member, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra is participating the League’s third-annual “Orchestras Feeding America” campaign and partnering with the Mid-South Food Bank during the month of March. This is the single largest orchestra project collectively serving communities nationwide. In fact, in the last two years more than 250 orchestras from all 50 states collected over 300,000 pounds of food. With food... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 5:16 PM | 1 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Mid-South Food Bank League of American Orchestras

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The best

Guest blog by Ricardo Callender, MSO staff You may have heard recently that the MSO received grants to support the new programs based on artistic excellence and musician-led initiatives that drive community involvement. With this model, the MSO aims to be the best regional orchestra in the country, as well as to remain economically viable. How do we accomplish this, you may ask? By investing in the MSO’s biggest asset -- our musicians. These grants give our musicians tools to... Read More
Posted by info@memphissymphony.org at 11:57 AM | 0 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Opus One "con brio"

I was fortunate enough to attend a daytime rehearsal for Opus One at Bridges yesterday. I think it's a pretty special thing to sit in on a rehearsal by the orchestra - whether it's classical, pops, or otherwise. It's fascinating for this non-musician to watch the process come together as a group of talented people realize their common artistic goal.  I am always amazed at how a vision comes together - whether it is a conductor's, a Music Director's, or the musicians' themselves. ... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 6:08 PM | 0 comments
Joyce Cobb Opus One Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Friday, January 28, 2011

Saturday Morning Musical Fun

I went to the free Family Tunes & Tales event at Borders Books & Music on the corner of Poplar and Kirby this past weekend with my husband and two small boys, Jack and Mikey. We were treated to the book Five Live Bongos by George Ella Lyon, read by Joanna Lipman, while John Sprott, the MSO’s Principal Percussionist, played. Five Live Bongos is the story of five brothers and sisters that drive their parents to distraction with their musical band composed of such instruments... Read More
Posted by info@memphissymphony.org at 10:55 AM | 1 comments
Memphis Symphony Orchestra Borders Family Tunes & Tales

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Joyce/Heather/Boscos Mash-Up

Guest blog by Heather Trussell , Acting Assistant Principal Violin for MSO I’m getting ready to play in a few minutes. It’s Sunday at Joyce Cobb’s jazz brunch at Bosco’s in midtown. I have my 250-year-old English violin hooked to my pickup, preamp, and Jimmy’s PA box. (I’ve so far escaped from having to buy my own amp.) The regulars are here. There’s the guy that sings along with everything—really loudly and operatically, the people who wear matching jerseys, the... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 2:52 PM | 0 comments
Joyce Cobb Opus One Memphis Symphony Orchestra Boscos jazz

Friday, January 21, 2011

Tonight's Show Will Go On!

Good news! The sun is out and the ice is melting. Inclement weather is no match for great music. We're getting tons of calls today from people hoping that tonight's Paul & Linnea Bert Chamber Series concert has not been canceled. It's going on as planned for 8:00pm at Buckman Performing Arts Center on the campus of St. Mary's Episcopal School. As of right now, we only have a handful of available tickets; so if you want to see Mei-Ann Chen conduct Rossini, Vivaldi, Puccini, plus... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 1:20 PM | 0 comments

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Not So Humdrum

Guest Blog by MSO Principal Timpanist Frank Shaffer Embracing the healing power of the drum, the Memphis Symphony Drum Circle Project is the latest of the orchestra’s community engagement activities. Through a scholarship from United Way of Greater Memphis , I became a trained HealthRHYTHMS facilitator this past September. I've begun the drum circles at Youth Villages Bartlett campus that will continue into spring of 2011. Through a grant from International Paper , MSO violinist... Read More
Posted by info@memphissymphony.org at 2:08 PM | 0 comments

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

MSO on TV, Holiday Hours, & Warm Wishes

Enjoy the Memphis Symphony Orchestra on television this week from the comfort of your own home! Watch our Home for the Holidays concert on Memphis' FOX13 .  It airs on Christmas Eve at 9:00 am & 9:30 pm and on Christmas Day at 2:00 pm. Last year's broadcast won a Mid-South Regional Emmy Award and this year's will be broadcast in digital high definition and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. So that we can celebrate with family and friends as well, our administrative/box office will... Read More
Posted by info@memphissymphony.org at 12:44 PM | 0 comments

Friday, December 17, 2010

Music to Travel By

Guest Blog from Michelle Parks This afternoon two MSO ensemble groups shared their music in the Arts in the Airport program at the Memphis & Shelby Co. International Airport . One group set up at the Food Court and another by the Blue Note Café. Both groups played a variety of holiday tunes as passengers, flight crews, and airport personnel made their way between the gates. Obviously a welcome sight for travelers passing through, it was such a joy to... Read More
Posted by info@memphissymphony.org at 3:42 PM | 0 comments

Friday, December 10, 2010

A Gift of Music

Ignoring the cold morning temperatures, thousands of elementary-age children unloaded from school buses lining Poplar Avenue in downtownMemphis yesterday and today. Since 2006, the MSO has performedHandel’s Messiah in partnership withand to benefit the Orphanos Foundation . Memphis City Schools, Shelby County Schools, Catholic Jubilee Schools,and home schooled students all converge on the Cannon Center annually to hear an abbreviatedversion of George Frideric Handel’s oratorio that was... Read More
Posted by nicole.davis@memphissymphony.org at 9:51 AM | 0 comments

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Memphis Symphony Orchestra | 585 S. Mendenhall Road, Memphis, TN 38117

Box Office (901) 537-2525 | Administration (901) 537-2500 | Fax (901) 537-2550 | Email: info@memphissymphony.org