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.

Stay On The Couch

Wed, Oct 10, 2018Mon, Oct 8, 2018 by Holly Mulcahy

There are many reasons people don’t go to the symphony. Some have gone in the past and don’t come back, and some don’t come in the first place. Anyone in the industry knows there are amazing musical experiences to enjoy and be a part of. So why are people choosing to stay home or do other activities when there is such a wealth of great concerts to be enjoyed? Below I’ll list several common reasons people opt out. To make this more lighthearted and fun, let’s make this a game. Find one … Continue Reading

Just Stop It With The “No, Because!”

Thu, Jun 28, 2018 by Holly Mulcahy

If you are in the arts business, especially orchestra business, chances are you have come across a moment or a meeting where you hear the words: “no, because.” There may have been a great idea, a creative way to do something, but the knee-jerk reaction to that idea was predictably: No. Usually the rejection to the idea was followed up with excuses and reasons why an idea couldn’t be implemented. All that energy spent explaining why something wouldn’t work only adds to the frustration! Over the next couple months, I want to … Continue Reading

Comp Tickets Are Not Cocaine

Tue, Jun 19, 2018Fri, Jun 15, 2018 by Holly Mulcahy

I’m not a huge fan of the complementary (comp) tickets in the classical music industry. Handing out comps tells an audience that the years of work I put into my craft is essentially value-less. Being a professional musician means fighting that stigma and protecting worth, constantly. Comp tickets are a bad habit! They are continually justified by people in the orchestra industry because: We want a full hall, no matter how. If people like this concert, surely they will pay for the next. Comps are basically like a musician’s privilege or benefit; … Continue Reading

There Is An Easter Egg In My Concerto

Thu, May 17, 2018 by Holly Mulcahy

When one thinks of violin concertos, it is easy to summon up the typical formulas and expectations. The concerto I will premiere next spring in Chattanooga is not going to be one of those. Last summer I mentioned to Hollywood film composer, George S. Clinton, that an Epic Western kind of violin concerto would be fun. He agreed and began formulating ideas. We chatted on the phone, brainstormed, shared what we liked and didn’t like about the typical concertos and were very much on the same page. The Rose of Sonora: A … Continue Reading

Yes, And. The Early Days Of A New Nonprofit

Mon, Mar 5, 2018Sun, Mar 4, 2018 by Holly Mulcahy

After a few performances in the prisons over the last two years, it became clear we were bringing an entirely new and important conversation to the forefront. The conversations were never planned out. They consisted of sharing some music with prisoners and listening to their impressions, opinions, and thoughts. Outcome and expectations instinctively followed Improv Rules, specifically “Stop planning the next thing you’re going to say and just listen to the person in front of you,” and “Yes, And.” The philosophy of Yes, And is where an idea builds incrementally using a … Continue Reading