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.

Bags, Boutiques, and Bach (and an emergency shopping trip!)

Tue, Nov 19, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

Bags Upon arriving in Chattanooga’s airport over the weekend, I found out my luggage didn’t make it. The possibility of getting the luggage on a later flight was slim but I held out hope. Worst case scenario would be I would just have to pick up a new shirt and a few small items to hold me over. But Murphy’s Law was being observed, and the flight my luggage that was redirected on was canceled. All of my clothes and concert attire was not going to arrive to me until 48 hours … Continue Reading

Cell Phones and Cash Flow

Mon, Nov 4, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

There is nothing more annoying than hearing a cell phone ring during a quiet part of an orchestra concert. The noise disrupts the music, musicians, and the ticket buyers. But can there be a way for orchestras to profit off of this annoyance? Sure: Have a cell phone check. Like a coat check, a few bucks to insure that you wouldn’t be the fool that left the cell phone on would be well worth it. If there was worry about missing a message, perhaps a quick check at intermission. If one was … Continue Reading

The Three R’s: Radio, Restaurants, & Rhythm

Mon, Oct 14, 2013Mon, Oct 14, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

Starting work as the new concertmaster of The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera (CSO) meant hitting the ground running. First order of business was to be a guest on CSO Music Director Kayoko Dan’s radio show, Chat Symphony Hour; which serves as a sincere connection to a community and a fun way to share musical ideas and interests with listeners. Radio When I found out that the radio station was a dedicated classical music radio station, I was inwardly doing jumps for joy. Maybe I’m biased, but since I grew up in a … Continue Reading

How to Alienate Your Audiences: 2013

Tue, Jul 12, 2022Mon, Oct 7, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

In 2008 and 2009, I wrote a four part series using parody to show how various groups could better alienate their classical music audience. Each of the groups, Audiences, Musicians, Managers, and Music Directors, had 10 steps that would surely alienate any patron and enough time has passed that it is time to update some new items in the lists; after all, most of us are at the beginning of a new concert season and we all want to find new and exciting ways to alienate our audiences! Audiences Be sure to … Continue Reading

A Journey Of Legacy, Appreciation, and Heart

Mon, Sep 2, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

The legacy and longevity of the Minnesota Orchestra is at a tipping point. While there have been many excellent articles, online discussions, and interviews about how the orchestra got to this point, it is extremely important to remind ourselves in as many ways possible just what is at stake. Perhaps one way to realize this is to liken the cultural institution to Amish Friendship Bread, which is a type of sour dough that takes about 10 days to create and users are encouraged to pass along the starter along with finished loaves. … Continue Reading