Holly Mulcahy

After hearing Scheherazade at an early age, Holly Mulcahy fell in love with the violin and knew it would be her future. She currently serves as concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. She spends her summers at the celebrated Grand Teton Music Festival. Believing in music as a healing and coping source, Holly founded Arts Capacity, a charitable 501(c)3 which focuses on bringing live chamber music, art, artists, and composers to prisons. Arts Capacity addresses many emotional and character-building issues people face as they prepare for release into society. Holly performs on a 1917 Giovanni Cavani violin, previously owned by the late renowned soloist Eugene Fodor, and a bespoke bow made by award winning master bow maker, Douglas Raguse.

Art Isn’t an Excuse

Mon, Jun 30, 2025 by Holly Mulcahy

As someone deeply immersed in the world of music and the arts, I have witnessed a persistent myth that talent and creativity somehow excuse us from professionalism; that being an artist means we don’t need to be organized, prepared, or reliable. That the art itself will cover for any missed details or broken promises. But art isn’t an excuse. It’s not a reason to miss a deadline. It’s not a reason to be difficult to reach. It’s not a reason to be vague about expectations or passive about outcomes. If anything, art … Continue Reading

But Who Will Take Care of Your Husband?

Sat, May 3, 2025 by Holly Mulcahy

You wouldn’t think that adding another part-time orchestra job would prompt the question, “But who will take care of your husband?”…and yet, it did. The comment immediately challenged my value and worth, not just as a musician, but as a professional woman. It’s a question men almost never face, no matter how many roles they take on or how far they travel for their work. The good news? My husband is more than capable. And more importantly, my choices are my own. Speaking with fellow busy women in the arts was validating. … Continue Reading

What If AI Could Bow Your Parts? Now It Can.

Tue, Apr 1, 2025Tue, Apr 1, 2025 by Holly Mulcahy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Revolutionary AI Tool Promises to Bow Your Orchestral Parts in Seconds [Austin, TX — April 1, 2025] In a groundbreaking technological leap set to transform the lives of concertmasters worldwide, a new AI-powered tool promises to take the guesswork out of orchestral bowings, and it only takes seconds. The new program, BowBot AI, allows concertmasters to upload blank music PDFs and instantly receive fully bowed parts in the style of iconic concertmasters past and present. Whether channeling the precision of Robert Chen (Chicago Symphony), the elegance of David Kim … Continue Reading

A Full-Circle Moment: Why Music Education Matters

Sun, Feb 23, 2025 by Holly Mulcahy

During our time in Denver performing The Rose of Sonora with Symphony of the Rockies, composer George S. Clinton and I had the privilege of visiting The Charles Burrell Visual & Performing Arts Campus, part of Aurora Public Schools. For me, this visit was especially meaningful. I am a product of Aurora Public Schools, and I know firsthand the impact of music education. It is heartbreaking to see so many arts programs cut from public schools in the last decade. That is why the Charles Burrell campus is such an important oasis, … Continue Reading

Take a Friend to the Orchestra

Tue, Feb 18, 2025 by Holly Mulcahy

Some of the best ideas do not need reinventing. They just need a fresh perspective and the right moment to bring them back to life. That is exactly what happened with Take a Friend to the Orchestra, an initiative I recently reintroduced at the Wichita Symphony in my role as Curator of Audience Engagement and Innovation. Originally launched years ago, this initiative was designed to welcome new audiences to the symphony but had faded into the background. As I looked for ways to make concerts feel more inviting and personal, I saw … Continue Reading