Symphony News

Pianist and Entrepreneur Jade Simmons to Appear with MSO

Don’t miss these “must see” events in the life of MSO this March and April. Three great evenings of magnificent music brought to life by truly gifted musicians.

An Evening with Composer Colman Pearce

Renowned Irish composer (and former MSO Music Director), Dr. Colman Pearce, leads a whimsical presentation of his most recent compositions in this special benefit for MSO, followed by a special party after the concert. Tickets $20. (Post Concert Party $15)

7:00 pm, Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Ford Academic Complex at Millsaps College

Chamber IV: Chamber in the Chapel

Rising superstar pianist Jade Simmons will be in Jackson April 5-10, 2010, as an Artist in Residence for the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. This dynamic young musician and entrepreneur has much to share! The residency is a collaborative project of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Tougaloo College and the Mississippi Museum of Art. In addition to being a concert pianist, Ms. Simmons was named one of Ebony magazine's Young Leaders Under 30 in 2007. She was the web-host for the 2009 Van Cliburn Piano competition throughout the 17-day event. She is the founder of the national school program Where Do You Stand?!, leading to numerous appearances on radio and television. She designs her own concert attire and plans to expand these fashion efforts into a commercial line called Zhedya.

MEET JADE! Monday, April 5 - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
University Club, Regions Bank Tower, Downtown Jackson - $20 at the door
Known for her musical creativity and her electrifying stage presence, pianist Simmons will talk about the ways in which she has created a path for herself as an artist and as an entrepreneur.

JADE LECTURE: "Black Female Classical Pianists" Tuesday, April 6 - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Woodworth Chapel, Tougaloo College - free admission
Ms. Simmons gives a humorous and frank discussion on the state of race and the dangers of elitism in classical music. Join Jade later that evening at Isaac Byrd's 930 Blues Club.

JADE PRESENTS MUSIC AND ART Thursday, April 8
5:30 p.m. - hors d'oeuvres and cash bar, 6:00 p.m. - recital
Mississippi Museum of Art - $10 at the door (free to students)
Ms. Simmons presents her program Kandinsky and Scriabin: Hearing Color, Seeing Sound, which focuses on links between the creative arts, music of Scriabin and art of Kandinsky. MSO and the Mississippi Museum of Art present the event in honor of the governing boards of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Mississippi Museum of Art and Tougaloo College.

JADE & CHAMBER IN THE CHAPEL Saturday, April 10 - 7:30 P.M.
Woodworth Chapel, Tougaloo College - $15 (students $5)
It is highly recommended that tickets be purchased in advance - 601.960.1565.
MSO's Woodwind Ensemble and Brass Ensemble open this concert, followed by the Brahms Piano Quintet in F Minor with the MSO String Quartet and Jade Simmons. (Open rehearsal of the Brahms Quintet for students 10:00 a.m.)

Ms. Simmons will also make school visits during her stay in Jackson

Ms. Simmons' appearance in Jackson is generously sponsored by Isaac Byrd
Ms. Simmons' residency is co-produced by Timothy Coker and Lester Senter Wilson

An Evening with Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii

Nobuyuki Tsujii, a gold medalist at the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, will perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto #1 with the MSO, under the direction of Maestro Crafton Beck. The concert, produced by Lester Senter Wilson and Timothy Coker, is generously sponsored by BCI and will benefit the MSO. Tickets $100.

7:30 pm, Ford Academic Complex at Millsaps College
Thursday, April 22, 2010

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