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North Carolina Symphony Blog
Welcome to the North Carolina Symphony blog! We encourage you to share and exchange ideas, stories and commentary in this space. You'll also hear from Grant Llewellyn, William Henry Curry, and Joan Landry, as well as our musicians and members of the staff. We hope our blog will be both entertaining and enlightening and that you will visit us often and contribute your thoughts.
273 Entries
Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet Eric Metcalf--a young man of exceptional promise whose life was cut short by a tragic rock climbing accident in July 2012.  As might be expected, Eric's parents, Jim Metcalf and Kim Berthiaume, and their older son, Steve, had been thinking of appropriate ways to honor Eric and his passions.  Because of Eric's love of classical music, his own notable musical accomplishments, and his regular attendance at North Carolina Symphony concerts, it seemed fitting that we meet to discuss opportunities that would support the programs he would have loved and that would create a lasting legacy.

After hearing about Eric's extraordinary life the North Carolina Symphony - in collaboration with his family - has established the North Carolina Symphony Eric Metcalf Seats for Students Fund.  Eric often commented on how fortunate he was to be able to attend North Carolina Symphony concerts and wished that young people without the financial means could also attend concerts.  This endowed fund will provide seats for Friday night Classical Concerts in Raleigh for a select number of students and their parent or guardian--the number of seats dependent on the funds that are raised.  The North Carolina Symphony has a strong relationship with area educators and will work with local schools to identify qualifying students.

To learn more about Eric's story and how you can support the Eric Metcalf Seats for Students Fund, click here.

2 months ago | |
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On Thursday, the North Carolina Symphony launched an exciting new education initiative specifically designed for pre-schoolers. North Carolina Symphony Music Discovery is funded by PNC as part of its nationwide PNC Grow Up Great program.
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3 months ago | |
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I almost overlooked the email the first time around -- "You're Invited to a Party" -- that didn't sound like something I would normally get.  (Okay, so my social life has been a little dull since I started grad school). 
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3 months ago | |
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In February at concerts in Fayetteville and Raleigh, we featured music written during or about the Civil War including When Johnny Comes Marching Home, The Wound-Dresser, Copland's Lincoln Portrait and Ives' Symphony No. 2.
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3 months ago | |
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Resident Conductor William Henry Curry spoke on Sunday, February 10, at Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh about the Symphony's upcoming Explorations : Freedom concerts and programs that take place next week in Fayetteville and Raleigh.  We asked Samantha Flynn, head of the Music Department at Quail Ridge to share her thoughts about Maestro Curry's talk, which was co-sponsored by WCPE, the Classical Station. [More]
4 months ago | |
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And the answer is: The North Carolina Symphony.  That way, the next time you go on Jeopardy, you can step up to the buzzer on the question, "What has the most extensive music education program of any major U.S. orchestra?"   In fact, if you talk to anyone who grew up in North Carolina, you'll hear of a deeply felt connection to the orchestra and its mission of music education.
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4 months ago | |
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Happy New Year from the North Carolina Symphony!  Our continuing resolution is to bring music to audiences young and old across North Carolina.  (Insert noisemaker sound effect here!).

We had a wonderful New Year's Eve program called "Vienna With A Twist." In addition to the beloved music of the Strauss family that carries on a wonderful traditional New Year's Eve celebration, the concert featured conductor Jeff Tyzik and drummer Dave Mancini, performing the music of the Big Band era with the North Carolina Symphony.  They rocked the house.  Wow, talk about a big band!
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5 months ago | |
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Each year, during the North Carolina Symphony's annual Winter Pops tour, tireless musicians travel the state, providing an irresistible mix of holiday classics, sing-alongs and fun for the entire family.  The schedule this year included High Point, Statesville, Lincolnton, Wilkesboro, Wilmington, Tarboro, and New Bern.  That's seven concerts in 10 days, with an opening Pops concert last month in Goldsboro!  Add in sixteen Ensembles in the Schools concerts for elementary students across five western counties over a three day period, and you can see why the Symphony gives Santa a run for his money when it comes to working at the holidays.
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5 months ago | |
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Senior Director of Statewide Development Rob Maddrey is out on the road this week with the North Carolina Symphony as it performs Holiday Pops concerts.  Rob recently spoke with a journalist from Lincolnton who posed some great questions about tonight's concert there.  That interview got us thinking that our blog readers might like to know a little bit more about the concerts and what they will hear when they attend these beloved community events. 

In addition to the Lincolnton show tonight, remaining Holiday Pops concerts are Dec. 7 in Wilkesboro, Dec. 11 in Wilmington, Dec. 12 in Tarboro, and Dec. 13 in New Bern.  There will also be a Holiday Pops concert with the famed band Pink Martini on Dec. 21-22 in Raleigh. Click here for the Holiday Concert calendar.
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6 months ago | |
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The North Carolina Symphony is taking live instrumental music into classrooms in five western North Carolina counties this week as part of its holiday touring schedule. A string quartet and a wind quintet make up the Symphony's Ensembles in the Schools program.
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6 months ago | |
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