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.

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

Your Orchestra Says It’s Progressive, Your Audition Requirements Say Otherwise

Sun, May 22, 2022Wed, Jan 17, 2018 by Holly Mulcahy

There are many initiatives in the classical music industry to promote living, woman, and minority composers. You will see numerous festivals and special concert series devoted to supporting and promoting these composers. That is exactly what should be done. Upon talking with many colleagues about their upcoming auditions, there is a noticeable trend that needs to stop. The music required for the orchestras’ upcoming auditions was written by composers who were long gone: long gone white male composers. While these audition repertoire requirements have been considered “standard” for the last 25+ years, … Continue Reading

Why Are You Here?

Fri, Nov 10, 2017Wed, Nov 8, 2017 by Holly Mulcahy

Sometimes the simplest of questions are the deepest. “Why are you here?” was asked at a prison recital last month. The prisoner wanted to know why performers would come to such a place when we could be anywhere else. But that question meant more to me than just why I would perform music in a prison. That question is a question any musician should be able to answer honestly at any point in their career. Why was I doing what I was doing, anyway. It is a question that forces one to … Continue Reading

Cultivating Curiosity

Thu, Oct 5, 2017Mon, Sep 11, 2017 by Holly Mulcahy

The perception that a classical concert requires a lot of rules to enjoy a concert is not far from the truth. Rules and etiquette, written and unwritten, create a very long list from what to wear to when to clap that can be very off-putting for newcomers and regular concert goers alike. On top of the general etiquette, there is a perception that one must be taught many things about the orchestra. Does information about the composers, the instruments, and the music need to be distributed and discussed before an audience member … Continue Reading