Neo Classical – Holly Mulcahy on the future of classical music

No Conductor, No Problem Part 2: The Librarian Is Your Friend

Tue, Aug 30, 2016

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Holly Mulcahy

Since there are no step-by-step checklists on how to navigate a way through planning a conductor-less concert, I’m sharing the processes and planning as I prepare myself for leading the Chattanooga Symphony’s chamber concert featuring Haydn’s Symphony #31. Planning for an upcoming season, for much of my job as concertmaster, happens in the summer. While I’m performing at the Grand Teton Music Festival, upcoming concerts for Chattanooga Symphony are never far from my mind. Whether I’m bowing CSO parts or practicing CSO repertoire, it’s the all occurring several months ahead of any … Continue Reading

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No Conductor, No Problem: Navigating A Conductor-Less Concert, Part 1

Tue, Aug 2, 2016

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Holly Mulcahy

There are no how-to or step-by-step instructional checklists for preparing a conductor-less concert on Wikihow, eHow, Pinterest, or Wikipedia. But generally concertmasters who find themselves in the position of leading a concert without conductor have some kind of prior experience of leading from the concertmaster chair. This experience generally comes from a variety of chamber music experiences or previous conductor-less concerts. So when planning an upcoming conductor-less concert for my orchestra in Chattanooga, it occurred to me that it might be interesting for non-musicians to know the extent of preparation that goes … Continue Reading

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I’m a condescending bore. You’re an ignorant dilettante. Please give us money.

Thu, Jun 2, 2016

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Holly Mulcahy

There is condescension in every field and every aspect of life. You can’t get away from it. But in the nonprofit arts sector the condescending tone needs to stop. And yes, this is somewhat about the snobby affectation classical music can allude to, but it is more about general decency, especially when the coda to any concert experience is asking for money. Here is a list of situations. You decide which conversation is a door opener or door closer. Situation #1 You are a conductor or soloist standing in front of an … Continue Reading

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Allowing Voices To Be Heard

Mon, May 2, 2016

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Holly Mulcahy

It’s been nearly a month since performing a recital in Walker State Faith and Character Based Prison. The experience was no doubt memorable, but after finally reading all of the surveys prisoners filled out and notes jotted down by prisoner mentor, Alan Bonderud, it was clear we had something uniquely special. The reoccurring theme on the prisoners’ surveys was the impact they felt sharing their emotions or interpretations while experiencing each musical work. There was a distinct value placed on the living composers works and that sentiment was also mentioned a number … Continue Reading

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“Tonight I didn’t feel like an inmate”

Fri, Apr 8, 2016

by:

Holly Mulcahy

It is next to impossible to sum up the feelings, the emotional impact, and the shared experiences at the recent violin recital in prison. Performing at Walker State Faith and Character Based Prison was one of those career highlights you don’t really expect, but are utterly grateful for. I published an article leading up to the performance, covering the plan, the reasons, and the hope for sincere impact in the lives of people who are working hard at self-improvement in a challenging environment and/or time in their lives. My expectations were exceeded. … Continue Reading

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