Not so long ago in our very own galaxy, Jackson’s premier performance venue Thalia Mara Hall came back to life, and now the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra is blasting back in with the hyperspace velocity of the Millennium Falcon escaping the Death Star’s grip. May the Force be with us all. If a heart emoji comes to mind, that’s just perfect since this all comes together in MSO’s “Star Wars” Pops concert on Saturday, February 14 — Valentine’s Day.
“Nonstop” is how Jackson State University Director of Chorale Activities Harry Cecil described first-semester JSU Chorale rehearsals for Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s January 24 concert “Transcendent Voices.” MSO positions JSU’s top vocal ensemble to unfold the heart of the evening’s program through the intertwining of Joel Thompson’s acclaimed Seven Last Words of the Unarmed (2015) and Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem (1888).
For Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s “Mozart Magic” concert January 10, Conductor Crafton Beck has conjured a program that glows with the genius of two masterpieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and lights up, too, with a lesser-known gem by another composer of the same era.
“What the heck is that?” That was Taylor Shorey’s response as a young high schooler, when his band director first brought up the bassoon. Up to that point, he’d never heard of one. A saxophone player, Shorey had his eye on the oboe for a switch from sax, but the band already had a couple of good oboe players. Why not try the bassoon?
Pianist Scott Cuellar returns to the solo spotlight with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for a third straight season, racking up back-by-popular-demand bona fides and continuing to build a reputation as an audience favorite in Jackson. See why at MSO’s “Epic Heights” concert on April 12, 2025.
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s final chamber concert of its 80th anniversary Season Spectacular does present quite the spectacle — a revolving cast of musicians, up close and personal, in classical, contemporary, even current works, playing with all the spirit and virtuosity the music demands.
Sandeep Das, guest artist of the March 8 “Vibrant Colors” concert, grew up learning Indian classical music and has played those concerts around the world since 1990. Meeting cellist Yo-Yo Ma — “one of the greatest human beings of our time,” Das said — exposed him to the world of Western classical music. “Before then, I didn’t know what an orchestra was, I had never played with one.”
John Williams’ film scores and themes are deeply ingrained in our entertainment DNA. Just try hearing “Dun-Dun…. Dun-Dun” without feeling the fearful dread of a shark’s approach or the cymbal-crashing, trumpet-blaring start of Stars Wars’ Main Title without conjuring that galaxy far, far away.
Today’s show features MSO’s upcoming “Bravo 3: Magnificent Strings” feat. Emmaunuel Ceysson, happening February 1st. This entire episode will be dedicated to highlighting Mr. Ceysson’s performance, profession and future projects, as well as the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s impact on the arts in the state, and upcoming shows. Stay tuned, buckle up and hold on tight...
Tuesday, January 28 at 3:30 pm – The Daily Sip with Walt Grayson on WJTV Crafton Beck spoke with renowned Mississippi storyteller Walt Grayson on The Daily Sip, sharing what makes the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra unique along with a sneak peak at upcoming concerts, celebrity talent and fun times in children’s programming. Capping 25 years...
