Michael McDonald’s visit to the Allen Arena stage Sept. 23-35 is proof of the strong tie between the Nashville Symphony and Lipscomb University that was born out of disastrous flooding on May 1-2.
The Grammy-winning singer, a former member of the Doobie Brothers, is coming to Lipscomb as a part of the Symphony’s Bank of America Pops Series.
The symphony also will continue to use the auditorium for a total of eight events, either pops or classical, during this semester as the Schermerhorn Symphony Center downtown continues to be rebuilt after the devastation caused by the floods that swept through Nashville.
Having the symphony on campus is an exciting opportunity, according to Dillon Mayfield, a freshman music major.
“I believe Lipscomb hosting the Nashville Symphony is strongly beneficial for music majors and minors,” Mayfield said.
“Students should take advantage of attending a concert. It’s in our backyard.”
The symphony also is using other facilities in Nashville as it continues its gypsy-like existence since the flood severely damaged its state-of-the-art home, located between Third and Fourth avenues .
The symphony actually began using the Lipscomb University campus last summer, setting up shop for six concerts after the floods hit.
And that relationship continues to flourish in the months leading up to the reopening of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center downtown.
SunTrust Classical Series events at Collins Alumni Auditorium included last weekend’s presentation of Andre Watts playing Beethoven and will continue Dec. 2-4 with cellist Steven Isserlis playing works by John Tavener and Edward Elgar & Bach.
In addition to the former Doobie’s performances this weekend, the Bank of America Pops Series featuring the Nashville Symphony will also include Resident Conductor Albert-George Schram taking the baton for “Gershwin: Here to Stay” Oct. 14–16.
Singer-songwriter Jewel will bring her pitch-perfect voice to the Pops Series Nov. 11-13 at Allen Arena.
But the symphony’s not just for grownups.
The Symphony’s Associate Conductor Kelly Corcoran will take the baton for The Ann & Monroe Carell Family Trust Pied Piper Series, in a Halloween concert collaboration with the Adventure Science Center Oct. 30 at Collins Alumni Auditorium.
Corcoran’s holiday Pied Piper concert – always a family favorite — will be at Lipscomb Dec. 18 with a mixture of popular Christmas favorites, traditional music and plenty of sing-a-longs.
By the way, the grownup holiday celebration, the big Nashville Symphony Home for the Holidays concert will be Dec. 10 in Allen Arena.
All tickets can be purchased through the symphony’s website www.nashvillesymphony.org or 615-687-6400.
And it’s easier and less expensive to attend if you are right here on the Lipscomb campus. The symphony’s SoundCheck program allows students to register in order to purchase two tickets to select Nashville Symphony performances for just $10 each.
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center is being restored after the May floods caused nearly $40 million in damage, much of it caused by five million gallons of water that flooded the lower levels with water that was 24 feet deep.
Damage included the loss of heating and air-conditioning, electrical system and other crucial parts of the facility.
“In addition, the Martin Foundation Concert Organ’s operating mechanism and console were completely submerged in water, as were two Steinway concert grand pianos. We also lost our entire Instrument Petting Zoo, which is used in our education programs,” says Jonathan Marx, a former journalist who now serves as director of communication for the arts organization.
The Schermerhorn reopens in January but still needs to raise funds for repairs
To that end, award-winning singer-songwriter-pianist Ben Folds, a resident of Nashville, will perform in a Nov. 27 benefit concert called “Keys to Music City” for the Nashville Symphony and two local volunteer firefighting organizations: the Williamson County Rescue Squad and Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department.
Folds, along with Francisco Noya conducting the orchestra, will perform in Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Andrew Jackson Hall. Tickets for the benefit concert with the Nashville Symphony start at $55.