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.

Kids at the Symphony? A How To Guide!

Sat, Dec 3, 2016Tue, Nov 18, 2014 by Holly Mulcahy

Last month, Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) stopped a concert to tell a parent to move herself and her child to a different location in the concert hall because he was afraid the child would disrupt the concert. This caused a fantastic debate about appropriate ages of concert goers, whether children should even be welcome, and if MTT had any ground to stand on with his action. Most orchestras have age limits listed on their websites, and some even offer reduced or free tickets for children. In my own experiences, it’s usually the … Continue Reading

Worlds Collide, Businesses Thrive

Thu, Nov 6, 2014 by Holly Mulcahy

The month of October got off to an exciting start with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera. First up was the sold out performance with Yo-Yo Ma. The excitement was palpable for everyone: audience, staff, board, orchestra, and even random people on the street who’d never thought of the symphony until seeing the marquee with Yo-Yo’s name on it. There is an awesome effect that happens to an orchestra and its audience when Yo-Yo Ma comes to play. Everyone plays at levels above and beyond what they felt possible as Yo-Yo invites everyone … Continue Reading

Where Are Our Wolves?

Thu, Oct 2, 2014Thu, Oct 2, 2014 by Holly Mulcahy

A fascinating video is popping around the internet about the amazing effects of the reintroductions of wolves to the Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Within the four minute video you learn that wolves, absent for 70 years in YNP, are reintroduced and how within six years make a positive impact on the food chain and environment. This once dreaded, hated, and nearly hunted to extinction predator was actually a vital link in the environment. From keeping the elk from over grazing (causing erosion) to creating a more balanced playing field for other predators … Continue Reading

We Know How to Symphony Here!

Sun, Sep 17, 2017Wed, Sep 17, 2014 by Holly Mulcahy

Introductions and Tacos This past week was the opening concert of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and it was a nice homecoming after a busy summer away. The first rehearsal back was packed with catching up with as many people as possible and introducing new members as well. This season, the CSO added a number of new violins. While people can socialize somewhat before rehearsal starts, and somewhat at the break, it can be hard to really meet people and say hello before rushing off. So I thought a fun way to … Continue Reading

Delivery: Art to Hungry and Thirsty Souls

Sun, Nov 15, 2015Fri, Sep 5, 2014 by Holly Mulcahy

It’s fun to reverse engineer a piece of music. As college music students, we did this on a daily basis for Music Theory projects. Ripping a piece of music down to just the chord structure took much of the mystery away; it was almost disappointing to unveil the mystery of my favorite compositions. But once you take music apart and put it back together again, you often have a different opinion or vantage of it, a clearer understanding and a thoughtful appreciation of it. If only it was that easy to demystify … Continue Reading