MSO’s Bravo I – Voicing Joplin

MSO ANNOUNCES VIBRANT COLLABORATIONS FOR AN EXCITING OPENING NIGHT OF THE SELBY & RICHARD McRAE FOUNDATION BRAVO SERIES ON OCTOBER 7th — VOICING JOPLIN!

We are thrilled to be partnering with MS Humanities Council for one-of-a-kind pre-concert event

On Saturday, October 7th at 7:30pm, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra is pleased to present the first concert of its Selby and Richard McRae Foundation Bravo Series, Voicing Joplin, sponsored by Regions Bank and significant guest artist support comes from the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation, in addition to the Greater Jackson Arts Council.  Scott Joplin’s opera “Treemonisha” will be amazingly brought to life in a concert production which touts 11 national and regional soloists, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College and Mississippi College choirs, Ballet Mississippi dancers and 88+ musicians with full MSO orchestra.  With its themes of education, women as leaders and civil rights, it is a timely presentation during our state’s Bicentennial.

The libretto (of course, written by Joplin) portrays a young slave woman who is educated during her youth, and subsequently rallies her community against superstition and ignorance.  Although she faces much hostility for this, she is ultimately successful in helping them to understand the importance of education, which is the key to obtaining success and they soon choose her to lead them along this path.   The musical language of “Treemonisha” represents styles of music, some of which were “born” in the state of MS — often called the birthplace of America’s music – serves as an ideal platform to experience a period piece that depicts a time no longer embraced, yet a message that is timeless.  In this way, MSO’s contribution to our state’s Bicentennial celebrations will be an incredible offering that looks ahead through the lens of our shared history.

We are beyond pleased to also announce the partnership with the Mississippi Humanities Council for a pre-concert event with noted author and leader, Ibram X. Kendi, recipient of the 2016 National Book Award (non-fiction) for his book, Stamped From The Beginning.  This Cora Norman lecture is FREE and open to the public.  It will take place before the Bravo I concert at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium in downtown Jackson on Saturday, October 7th from 6:00-7:15pm.

Significant educational interface is happening with MSO’s guest artists and local schools.  This is an official bicentennial project made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the Mississippi Development Authority.  These below events are open to the public:

  + Oct. 3rd & 5th, 5:30-6:30pm–MS Arts Center:  Dr. Susan Glisson leads cultural mapping exercises for combined choirs

  + Oct. 5th, 2:00pm–JSU Choral Activities Room:  Soloist Hope Briggs holds a career conversation

  + Oct. 5th, 1:30pm—Woodworth Chapel, Tougaloo College:  Soloist Christin-Marie Hill leads masterclass for students

  + Oct. 6th, 2:00pm—JPS Power APAC:  Soloist Robert Mack holds a career conversation with students

The MSO Bravo Series presents five concerts per year, all at Thalia Mara Hall.  Tickets for Bravo I:  Voicing Joplin are $25 & up for adults and $5 for children/students, when accompanied by a paying adult.  Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.msorchestra.com or by calling (601) 960-1565, or by visiting the MSO office at 201 East Pascagoula Street in downtown Jackson between 9am and 5pm, Monday thru Friday.  Tickets will also be available at the Thalia Mara Hall box office starting at 6:30pm on the evening of the concert.  Park once and attend the pre-concert lecture and Bravo I!   For additional information on Kendi visit http://www.ibramxkendi.com/aboutibramxkendi/.   For more information on this concert and others in the MSO 2017-18 Season of Celebrations, or to purchase tickets, visit our website or see us on Facebook.com/JacksonMSOrchestra.

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QUICK FACTS

WHAT:       Selby and Richard McRae Foundation Bravo I:  Voicing Joplin

                    & Cora Norman Lecture with author Ibram X. Kendi

WHO:          Mississippi Symphony Orchestra

                    & Mississippi Humanities Council

                   

WHEN:       Lecture – Saturday, October 7th, 6:00-7:15pm

                     Bravo I concert – Saturday, October 7th, 7:30pm

WHERE:       Russell C. Davis Planetarium

                     & Thalia Mara Hall (both in downtown Jackson)

                                    

CONTACT:   Mississippi Symphony Orchestra

      (601) 960-1565 or www.msorchestra.com