The Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra will present its final concert of the year on Saturday evening, April 14, 2007 at 7:30 pm in Lee Hall Auditorium on the Mississippi State University Drill Field. The concert is entitled From Russia, with Love. The concert will open with Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Moussorgsky (1839-1881), orchestrated by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). This work musically depicts a patron “on promenade” through an art exhibition with each of the ten movements representing a different work of art. The second half of the program will begin with the Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 1 composed by Dmitri Borisovich Kabalevsky (1904-1987). Rajli Bicolli, principal cellist in the Orchestra for the past three seasons will serve as cello soloist. The program will conclude with perhaps the most beloved and performed overture of all time, the 1812 Overture by Peter Ilich Tschaikowsky (1840-1893) complete with bells and cannon. The Handbell Choir from Starkville First United Methodist Church will provide prelude music for the program. The concert is free, but patrons are encouraged to arrive early since seating is limited and attendance is high at SSO events.

The Starkville-MSU Symphony Chorus, under the direction of Ted Beverly, will present its final concert of the 2006-07 Series on Friday evening, May 4, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church (this concert was originally scheduled for First Methodist Church). The program, entitled Thou Who Wast God, features choral works by Josephine Poelinitz, Harriet Ziegenhals, Katherine Davis, and K. Lee Scott. The non-liturgical work, Requiem, featured in the second part of the program, was written by K. Lee Scott in 2006. The text of the seven pieces reflects some influence of the Latin form but is written entirely in English, drawing from the Psalms, the Revelation, a hymn text by Timothy Dudley-Smith, two texts by John Donne, and “The Alleluias.” Soloists for Requiem are Tara Warfield, soprano, and Dr. Bruce Lesley, baritone. Wendy Payton serves as Chorus accompanist and will be organist for the program. The concert is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

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