Medium Security, Maximum Benefit
by:
Holly Mulcahy
For about two years I’ve been curious about bringing music into a prison. It started with the questions: Does music heal? Does music change lives? Does music inspire? Bringing music to a population of people in a place to be “corrected” makes for the right time and place to offer music for the sake of healing, changing, and inspiring. Prison performances are not new ideas by any means. Many orchestras and chamber groups are already doing this. But I’m going solo, violin solo that is, and it is exhilarating and terrifying at ... Continue Reading
Thank Your Music Teacher
by:
Holly Mulcahy
Coming from New York City to sing with the Chattanooga Symphony for the Holiday Pops, Scott Coulter was coming home. Coming home to Chattanooga where his musical journey began. Scott announced to the audience, “Is Jan Johnson in the house? Jan was my first crush and she was my first music teacher.” Scott had not seen Jan in decades, but clearly her influence and gentle guidance into the world of music helped shape Scott’s life and career. After the concert I watched Jan run up to Scott and they hugged each other. ... Continue Reading
The Next Concerto is…
by:
Holly Mulcahy
As of right now, the next concerto I play with my orchestra is top secret. That is until the Chattanooga Symphony’s 2016-17 concert season is announced. I’ve been having a lot of fun dropping hints on Facebook and Twitter about which concerto it is though. But I figured it would be interesting to share how and why I picked this concerto. Since I began my tenure with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, I’d made it clear that I wanted to perform concertos by living American composers. Jennifer Higdon’s Violin Concerto was the ... Continue Reading
Say This, Not That!
by:
Holly Mulcahy
The headlines are usually 20 Things Never To Say To a Musician, or, 10 Things That Annoy Violinists. While the lists of ubiquitous (and sometimes hilarious) assaults on a musician’s line of work are usually fact based, the knee jerk replies can be a door closer in conversations. People are just trying to get a conversation going. Many times they are seeking acceptance and approval from musicians. So keep the conversation going! I’ve taken a few of the most popular things people say to musicians and divided them in to mini categories. ... Continue Reading
The Three B’s: Bach, Bacon, and Biscuits
by:
Holly Mulcahy
Comfort food. Just saying the words Comfort Food conjures up images of simple joys, comforting flavors, memories of smells and tastes that may have traveled centuries within a family. In planning for the upcoming Chattanooga Symphony & Opera chamber concert which will feature the Bach Concerto for Oboe and Violin (November 8th at 3PM at the Read House), it occurred to me that this is a form of comfort food for the soul. Ideas about pairing this musical delicacy with an edible creation by Zeke Arter, owner of Maple Street Biscuit Company, ... Continue Reading
