Macon-Mercer Symphony Features Current and Former Mayors in Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” - Symphony Magazine

In Tuesday’s (10/15) Den, the magazine of Mercer University (Georgia), Julia Morrison writes, “The popular Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra (MMSO) gears up to present its fourth season of performances, including an exciting season premiere on Oct. 21. A variety of new programs are on tap for the 2024-2025 MMSO season. The opening performance on Monday, Oct. 21, features Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller along with his predecessors, Robert A.B. Reichert and C. Jack Ellis. Set to the music of Aaron Copland’s ‘Lincoln Portrait,’ the mayors will be reading excerpts from some of the 16th president’s greatest speeches, including the Gettysburg Address. ‘The message we’re trying to send the community is that while our nation is divided, Macon is healing and looking forward,’ said Robert McDuffie, founder of the MMSO…. ‘The season continues in November with … pieces composed by Townsend School of Music Professor Christopher Schmitz … under guest conductor Thomas Wilkins….. In the spring, Paul Watkins … takes the podium for an evening of Elgar, Beethoven and Bartók … The season ends with … the Mercer University Concerto Competition winner as soloist along with Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Scheherezade.’… Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra is an … intergenerational collaboration between emerging artists of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and principal musicians from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.”