The  orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Michael Brown, will perform The”March”  from Star Wars, “Jupiter” from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Tchaikovsky’s “Pezzo Capriccioso for Cello and Orchestra” with principal cellist Griffin Browne, and “The Romantic Symphony”  by American composer  Howard Hanson.   The concert  also features guest conductors  Nadezda Potemkina and Richard Human.

Although  based in Starkville, Mississippi, the 75 member orchestra is comprised of musicians from all over the state and beyond.   Joining in this performance are several students from the Suzuki Programs in Columbus– led by Diane Ford and Trudy Gildea-and in Starkville-led by Shandy Phillips.   These soloists include Aidan Dunkelberg, Lillian Fulgham, Cassie James, Daniel Jones, Helen Peng, Laura Sandifer, Lucy Sandifer, Stephanie Smith, Abbey Swartzendruber, and Grace Swartzendruber,  all of whom will be featured on J.S. Bach’s “Double Concerto in D minor for Two Violins and Orchestra”.

Along with the Columbus Arts Council and the Starkville/MSU Symphony the event is sponsored by Mississippi University for Woman, Clark Beverage Group,  Commercial Dispatch, Starkville Area Arts Council, Greater Starkville Development Partnership, City of Starkville, National Endowment for the Arts, Renasant Bank,  Prudential Starkville Properties, Cadence Bank and Mississippi Arts Commission.

All partners celebrate this new collaborative effort and invite the regional community to this very special evening of music.