By Ida Brown / senior staff writer

A series of events featured around special holidays of the year will highlight the Meridian Symphony Orchestra's 2008-2009 Subscription Season.

"We had a banner year last year, and we have big expectations this year," said Wade Sims, an MSO board member.

The 48th consecutive concert year, titled "Classical Celebrations," is described as "a salute to all music lovers. The offerings include, Classical America, Classical Thanksgiving, Classical Mardi Gras and Classical Cinco de Mayo.

All four subscription concerts will be presented in the MSU Riley Center, and all concerts will begin at 8 p.m., said Dr. Bob Hermetz,

director of MSO choruses. Hermetz announced the 2008-09 season during a press conference Monday at the MSU Riley Center in the absence of MSO Music Director and Conductor Dr. Claire Fox Hillard.

The concerts will feature the works of hall of famers Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Barber, Copland and Ravel, coupled with works from the pens of less familiar composers, as well as vocal and instrumental soloists and the Meridian Symphony Chorus.

The season will kick off on Sept. 27 with Classical America. Antonin Dvorak's "Symphony No. 9," (From the New World ), The Barber's "Violin Concerto, Opus 14," will feature MSO Concertmaster Jenny Gregoire. Gregoire currently serves as concertmaster for the Gulf Coast and Mobile orchestras in addition to her position with the MSO.

Opening the season and this concert will be the rousing "Jubel Overture" by Carl Maria von Weber. Dr. Tom Phelps of The Meridian Symphony Orchestra of Idaho will conduct this opening concert. According to Hermetz, Phelps' appearance is the result of a typo.

"Tom Phelps has become the 'ghost conductor' of our symphony because someone at the The Meridian Star apparently went to the Web site from The Meridian (Idaho) Symphony Orchestra and from that listed Tom Phelps as the conductor of the Meridian (Mississippi) Symphony Orchestra in a couple of articles," Hermetz said.

"Because of that, we've been communicating with the Meridian Symphony in Idaho, not only our conductors, but also our mayor. So now we have a sister city. Phelps will be our guest conductor for the first concert, and our conductor Claire Fox Hillard will go to conduct at the Meridian (Idaho) Symphony Orchestra at some point during the year to conduct a concert."

Along with the season premiere concert, the evening will include an opening night gala featuring an auction by the Symphony League, food and other activities.

On Nov. 15th a Classical Thanksgiving will feature the majestic "Symphony No. 2, Hymn Of Praise (Lobgesang)" by Felix Mendelssohn.

"It's really a symphony/cantata, a rather large work and at the end of the composition features the hymn tune 'Now Thank We All Our God' and 'I Waited on the Lord.'"

Adolphus Hailstork's new spiritual for orchestra, tenor solo, and chorus, "I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes," opens the program. Leroy Bynum, who previously performed in Meridian in 'Carmen,' returns as tenor soloist for this inspiring work.

The Carey Smith Jazz Quintet highlights Classical Mardi Gras on Feb. 21, 2009 in an upbeat performance of Smith's own "Suite No. 2 for Jazz Quintet and Orchestra." Smith serves as the symphony's composer-in-residence.

Ferde Grofe's "Mississippi Suite" takes a nostalgic view of the River, Creole Days and Mardi Gras. Louis Gottschalk's "Symphony No. 1, Night In The Tropics," leads off in this evening's concert. Closing out the concert will be the Frank Proto arrangement, "Fantasy on the Saints."

May 16th, 2009, brings down the curtain on the concert season with Classical Cinco de Mayo, which showcases first-place Sphinx Competition Winner Violinist Elena Urioste. Urioste will perform the "Fantasy on Bizet's Carmen for Violin and Orchestra" by Sarasate.

"With all of the interest we have now in Hispanic repertoire and Hispanic people, we are able to now feature an entire concert of music from South of the Border," Hermetz said. "It's really going to be an exiting concert, with a lot of percussion and music."

Also featured will be Aaron Copland's popular "El Salon Mexico," and Maurice Ravel's "Rapsodie," Ravel's "Tzigane for Violin and Orchestra" and Rivuelta's "Sensemaya."

Meridian Symphony Orchestra will also present it's annual Children's Concert, as well as a program for the downtown holiday event Merry Meridian. Dates and times will be announced later, Hermetz said.

MSO Tickets

Season ticket renewals for the Meridian Symphony Orchestra begin Wednesday at the MSU Riley Center Box Office, 2200 Fifth St. and will continue through Aug. 20. Season tickets are $120.

Sales for new season tickets and individual concert tickets begin Aug. 25, also at the MSU Riley Center Box Office. "A" seats are $35, and "B" seats are $30. Students K-12 and college students with their school ID can purchase tickets for $10.

For more information, call (601) 696-2200.