Published: September 04, 2009 12:09 am      

Fifty Years! Meridian Symphony Orchestra

Yes, it’s true. Meridian Symphony Orchestra will celebrate fifty amazing years with the 2010-2011 season. Meridianites, that’s FIFTY YEARS! The enduring success of any organization for fifty years is a significant financial accomplishment, but a cultural accomplishment that is embraced by the community is more than significant, and it came to Meridian in 1961. But mainly, I like to think; MSO has been, and continues as a beautiful gift for the community. Let us spend a few moments with some MSO memories, shall we?

It was 1961. Americans tune into The Dick Van Dyke television show, and John Kennedy is President. It was a time of great hope, and a handful of citizens and musicians came together with the purpose of creating a musical group – not, just a group, but a musical organization to ignite a regenerated sense of community involvement. Yes, hope was alive and well in the Meridian community. The faculty of several educational facilities, civic organizations, city government, businessmen, housewives, students at both the Meridian Junior College (now Meridian Community College), and Livingston State College (now University of West Alabama), and others came together of one accord – outstanding music. Some said it couldn't be done, but then, that’s not the Meridian way. Our Meridian history clearly indicates that: We can, We will, and We shall. And so it was with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra.

The first concert was performed April 1 1962 under the direction of Vernon Raines, MSO Conductor. It was quiet an accomplishment and a big step for MSO when Vernon Raines agreed to serve as conductor. His background and expertise brought a level of respect for the fledgling organization that would spark more and more interest throughout the concert circles located all across the southeast. As stated by The Meridian Star announcement dated March 30 1962 – Final rehearsals are being held Friday and Saturday for the presentation of the Meridian Symphony orchestra’s first concert. The premiere performance will be staged Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Meridian Junior college auditorium. ... Vernon Raines, who will be conducting, announces the program will include a variety of “favorite” selections.

The program of that first concert announced – The Meridian Symphony Society is a non-profit civic organization. Its purpose is to promote community support of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, a volunteer association of Meridian area musicians.

MSO was not just a dream any longer, but a magnificent reality.

Below is a listing of the first officers:



Board of Directors:

President, Jack Kitman

Vice-President, Roy Henderson

Sec-Treasurer, Mrs. Dorothy Lerner.

Conductor, Vernon Raines



Executive Board

Curtis Ulmer

John Craiger

Mattie Sue Tarry

Mrs. D. H. Moore

Jackie Pope

William Entrekin

Mrs. William F. Krantz



Fast-forward fifty years later – during these years, MSO moved their concert location from the Meridian Junior College to the Meridian High School, and then to the Meridian Community College, and finally, for the 2007/2008, season made their permanent home at the MSU/Riley Center. Indeed, two Meridian treasures came together.

After Vernon Raines retired, MSO was fortunate to bring onboard another outstanding conductor. Dr. Claire Fox Hillard joined the organization and for the last nineteen years, through his continued leadership, MSO has served the community with the vision of those first organizers.

Can you imagine the Meridian community without the well-known MSO Crawfish Boil, the Coca-Pops Concert, or the Symphony Ball, and such note-worthy successful efforts as the Meridian Symphony Youth Orchestra, or the Meridian Symphony Strings Program? In addition, through the LinkUp Program, I have witnessed the joy upon the faces of our Meridian/Lauderdale County fourth grade students (public and private schools), who by the generosity of MSO, and a partnership with the MSU/Riley Center, and Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall, and most recently has gained the support of the Mississippi Arts Commission -- yes, because of all of these efforts, the students are the invited guests for an outstanding concert. On that day for the students included are teaching tools: (1) The basics of music, (2) Reading sheet music, (3) Playing their own recorders. I like to think the concert could make a life-changing impression for the students. The theme of this year’s program is “The Orchestra Rocks.”

Innovative, tantalizing, amazing, organized, dedicated, community-minded are all attributes of MSO – attributes that do not simply exist, but are cultivated year by year, member by member, season after season, and all for the good of the organization as well as the community.

Now, dear community, this is where you are needed. The MSO would like to collect your memories, stories, photos, and especially old MSO programs as they prepare for the fiftieth year celebration. If you have any memorabilia stashed away in scrapbooks, files, or shoeboxes now is the time to dig through them and share. If you can help, please contact MSO, Executive Director, Natella Boulton, phone number (601) 693-2224, mailing address, POB 2171, Meridian, 39302, or email: meridiansymphony@att.net. Or, if you would like to tell your story to a MSO volunteer, please request Sarah Mutziger, a trained storyteller, and she will record your information at a time convenient for you.

Below is the MSO 2009/2010 Season announcement:



Brave the Elements (based around the themes of “Air,” “Water,” “Fire,” and “Earth.” -- each concert will feature a new composition written by MSO Composer-in-Residence, Carey Smith).



September 19, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

October 31, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

December 5, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

March 6, 2010, 7:30 p.m.

May 15, 2010, 7:30 p.m.



As stated in The Meridian Star edition dated April 2 1962, (the day after the inaugural presentation).

The most significant musical event in the Meridian area in many years was the premiere performance Sunday of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra.

Let us keep symphonic music alive. Support Meridian’s Symphony Orchestra, and prepare for a joyous celebration – FIFTY YEARS!



Anne McKee is a writer and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist, storyteller, and as a Teaching Artist. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.