Neo Classical – Holly Mulcahy on the future of classical music

Thank Your Music Teacher, Part 2

Fri, Mar 11, 2016

by:

Holly Mulcahy

I assumed I had missed the opportunity to thank my first music teacher. But I was wrong! After I put out part one of Thank Your Music Teacher, I was notified by my 5th grade orchestra teacher that my elementary school general music teacher was still alive. I immediately sent her a letter of thanks, and one week later she returned the gesture with a lovely note back. It’s impossible to share the amount of joy her letter brought me, but judging from what she wrote to me, she received a great … Continue Reading

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Medium Security, Maximum Benefit

Tue, Feb 16, 2016

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Holly Mulcahy

For about two years I’ve been curious about bringing music into a prison. It started with the questions: Does music heal? Does music change lives? Does music inspire? Bringing music to a population of people in a place to be “corrected” makes for the right time and place to offer music for the sake of healing, changing, and inspiring. Prison performances are not new ideas by any means. Many orchestras and chamber groups are already doing this. But I’m going solo, violin solo that is, and it is exhilarating and terrifying at … Continue Reading

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Thank Your Music Teacher

Thu, Jan 14, 2016

by:

Holly Mulcahy

Coming from New York City to sing with the Chattanooga Symphony for the Holiday Pops, Scott Coulter was coming home. Coming home to Chattanooga where his musical journey began. Scott announced to the audience, “Is Jan Johnson in the house? Jan was my first crush and she was my first music teacher.” Scott had not seen Jan in decades, but clearly her influence and gentle guidance into the world of music helped shape Scott’s life and career. After the concert I watched Jan run up to Scott and they hugged each other. … Continue Reading

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The Next Concerto is…

Wed, Dec 23, 2015

by:

Holly Mulcahy

As of right now, the next concerto I play with my orchestra is top secret. That is until the Chattanooga Symphony’s 2016-17 concert season is announced. I’ve been having a lot of fun dropping hints on Facebook and Twitter about which concerto it is though. But I figured it would be interesting to share how and why I picked this concerto. Since I began my tenure with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, I’d made it clear that I wanted to perform concertos by living American composers. Jennifer Higdon’s Violin Concerto was the … Continue Reading

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Say This, Not That!

Mon, Nov 23, 2015

by:

Holly Mulcahy

The headlines are usually 20 Things Never To Say To a Musician, or, 10 Things That Annoy Violinists. While the lists of ubiquitous (and sometimes hilarious) assaults on a musician’s line of work are usually fact based, the knee jerk replies can be a door closer in conversations. People are just trying to get a conversation going. Many times they are seeking acceptance and approval from musicians. So keep the conversation going! I’ve taken a few of the most popular things people say to musicians and divided them in to mini categories. … Continue Reading

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