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.

Concertmaster Connections: An Introduction

Fri, Sep 20, 2013Mon, Jul 1, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

Whenever a new neighbor would move into a house on our block, my mother would bake some cookies or some bread, walk over with the edibles and welcome the new people to the neighborhood. One year she insisted I come along, which was torture because I was shy. I remember asking her, “Why do this when nobody did it when we moved in?” It turns out that others might have been shy, too. I’m grateful that my mom made me tag along that day because it taught me the importance of reaching … Continue Reading

House Party Concert Guide!

Mon, May 27, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

[fivecol_one] Who [/fivecol_one] [fivecol_four_last]You are cordially invited to host a gathering of your friends (and friends of friends!) at your house to enjoy an intimate classical music concert![/fivecol_four_last] [fivecol_one] What [/fivecol_one] [fivecol_four_last]Concert will be either a solo musician or small ensemble performing for about 45+/- minutes. Cocktails and dinner, or brunch and coffee, or BBQ and beer will be served![/fivecol_four_last] [fivecol_one] When Where [/fivecol_one] [fivecol_four_last]Party and concert is at your house at a time of day when everyone will be in the mood to enjoy and neighbors might not be disturbed.[/fivecol_four_last] [fivecol_one] … Continue Reading

Selling My Concerts at 30,000 Feet

Sun, May 12, 2013Sun, May 12, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

I use to be shy and apologetic when I’d talk about my upcoming concerts. It’s easy to assume people would find classical music boring, a dying art, hard to care, etc. But a few years ago, something clicked for me. If we sell our art like it’s not worthy, why on Earth would anyone want to come to a concert much less listen to a recording? I love what I do and I believe to my core that symphonic music is accessible, enjoyable, and inviting to anyone if shared the right way. … Continue Reading

Let’s Conduct An Experiment Part 2

Wed, Apr 17, 2013Tue, Apr 16, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

At the beginning of this month I shared my skepticism about the recent finding of Wallace Hartley’s (Band master of the RMS Titanic) violin. Perhaps it was his violin, only my gut says it was not the one he was playing on the night of the disaster, as claimed by the auction house, but perhaps a second violin he owned as a spare. I asked for an experiment, and I got one! Ken Amundson of Minnesota sent along the following letter he sent to London Times, and better yet, pictures to document … Continue Reading

Let’s Conduct An Experiment

Mon, Apr 1, 2013 by Holly Mulcahy

I love hypothetical questions! What if you find a violin and you are certain it is worth something? What if that violin owned by a famous person? And what if the original owner was connected to major historical event? It would be a no-lose investment, right? Well you’d certainly be dancing the money dance if you thought you found the RMS Titanic bandmaster’s violin, the violin that was played while the ship sank. That is the claim is circulating the internet as of late. But within a month of the first news … Continue Reading