North Carolina Symphony Blog

Eric Metcalf Seats for Students Fund

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:14:10 -0400

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.

North Carolina Symphony Music Discovery

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:28:08 -0400

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.
[More]

Sibelius Symphony No. 2??? Yes, please!

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:28:49 -0400

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).
[More]

The Emancipation Proclamation.... and its Aftermath

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:19:53 -0400

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.
[More]

Explorations: Freedom Talk ?Moving, Deeply Personal?

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:03:40 -0400

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]

Striking a Chord

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:34:47 -0400

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.
[More]

A Look Back

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:31:03 -0400

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!
[More]

Giving Santa a Run for his Money!

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:58:25 -0400

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.
[More]

NCS is Coming to (Your) Town

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:40:29 -0400

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.
[More]

Live Music = Unforgettable

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:51:21 -0400

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.
[More]

Wizard, Wiz, Wicked...

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:45:04 -0400

The Wizard of Oz has had many incarnations over the years, and NCS is getting in on the game with Thanksgiving Weekend performances featuring the movie classic on a giant screen with the orchestra playing the soundtrack. [More]

The Brass Section is How Big?

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:04:24 -0400

This weekend, we’re wrapping up our exploration of the relationship between music and politics in Stalin’s Russia. A central figure in Stalin’s war-time art propaganda was Dmitri Shostakovich.

Written to depict the struggle of the Russian people of blockaded Leningrad against the Germans, Shostakovich’s powerful Symphony No. 7 became a hugely popular symbol of resistance to fascism during World War II. The dramatic might of the music written in the face of oppression captures audiences to this day with its intensity and strength.
[More]

A Special Treat

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:00:22 -0400

Saturday was a fun-filled musical adventure for 28 students who travelled from New Bern to hear “Halloween Spooktacular!,” the opening Young People’s Concert at Meymandi Hall in Raleigh.
[More]

NCS 2012/13 EXPLORATIONS

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:25:55 -0400

Tonight, we embark on NCS 2012/13 EXPLORATIONS with a focus on the music of Dmitri Shostakovich and Stalinist Russia.

NCS musicians will perform a free Manning Chamber Series concert this evening at 7:30pm at William Peace University, and included in that performance will be Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8, his most popular and oft-performed quartet.
[More]

Connections from NCSU to NC Symphony

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 20:14:56 -0400

From a recent Arts NC State Newsletter: As part of NCSU's 125th anniversary this year, the NCSU Wind Ensemble will perform a piece composed by an original member of the May 1932 NCS orchestra.
[More]