The Starkville Symphony Orchestra Big Band will present “Jazz at Renasant” during a Tuesday, Oct. 7 concert at the city’s Renasant Bank plaza.
Free and open to the public, the 6 p.m. outdoor performance sponsored by the Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony Association features selections from the libraries of jazz greats Count Basie (1904-84), Duke Ellington (1899-1974) and Stan Kenton (1911-79).
The bank is located at the intersection of East Lampkin and South Montgomery streets.
Seating is limited, and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition to lawn chairs and blankets, patrons are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy during the twilight performance.
The Big Band group includes university faculty members and other principal players from throughout the community. Music professor and orchestra director Michael Brown will conduct the band.
Cliff Taylor, MSU associate director of bands and associate music professor, will perform Jimmy Van Heusen’s 1941 song, “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” first popularized by Frank Sinatra.
Doug Thomas, Starkville High School assistant band director, will perform Johnny Mercer’s 1941 ballad, “Skylark.”
Founded March 2, 1969, in the home of Starkville residents David and Barbara Cornell, the symphony association is a non-profit volunteer organization whose members work to educate, enlighten and share classical music with the city, university campus and other communities in the Golden Triangle region. Producing high-quality musical events and increasing awareness for the arts are its primary missions.
For additional information, contact Michael Brown at 662-325-3070 or [email protected].
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