A Word from the Conductor

Celebration in Sound

To mark my 10th season as music director of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, we’ve planned each concert to tie in with some sort of anniversary. We’ll celebrate the birth of two major composers - the 175th of Brahms and Mendelssohn’s 200th.

In November, we welcome British conductor Kenneth Woods, who will conduct Elgar’s First Symphony in
celebration of the 100th anniversary of its premiere. And in March, we will collaborate with the Mississippi
Community & Junior College Choral Association for two spectacular works: Poulenc’s Gloria (50th anniversary of the premiere), and Kirke Mechem’s Songs of the Slave.

We’ll end the season with a program of American music which includes Celebration Overture written by Bob Aldridge for my first season, and Copland’s Tender Land Suite, which was part of my audition concert.

So join us as we celebrate the 47th Season of the Gulf Coast Symphony.

John W. Strickler
Music Director and Conductor