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.

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

Impressions and Appreciations; a gentle reminder for all artists

Mon, Jun 2, 2014 by Holly Mulcahy

Many times I wish I could go back to my younger self and share what I’ve learned the hard way. I suppose it’s the personal journey and self-discovery through a career that gives the greatest gift, but I can’t help wondering if my career would have been more meaningful early on if only I knew what I know now. So I take what I’ve learned and pass it to my students and young professionals seeking advice. This is the final part of the series called “Do Over.” After discussing approaches to life … Continue Reading

The Rite Reward

Sun, May 4, 2014Sun, May 4, 2014 by Holly Mulcahy

Big journeys take preparation, patience, and perseverance, and finishing my first year with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera was no different. Our last concert of the season was a challenging program: Shostakovich Cello Concerto #1 and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. The Rite of Spring is not the easiest of pieces to pull off, but Chattanooga Symphony nailed it beautifully. The amount of personal preparation can take months of studying scores, listening to recordings, watching YouTube videos, and of course individual practice. At the first rehearsal everyone summoned their personal ground work and … Continue Reading