Celebrating the return of live music


The Starkville-MSU Symphony Association

Season Lineup

About the SSO


Since 1969, the Starkville-MSU Symphony has provided the greater Starkville area and the Golden Triangle with a true community grown experience of classical music. With the goal of introducing this vibrant genre to an audience reflecting the entire Starkville community, every concert has remained free and open to the public throughout the Symphony's entire 53-year history.


As a testament to the community's commitment to exceptional music, Starkville stands as one of the only cities of its size in the nation to support a continuing symphony orchestra for over fifty years.


Each year the Symphony Concert Season showcase the talents of musicians from Mississippi State University, Starkville, and the surrounding communities, along with guest musicians from across the state.

1969

Orchestra Founded

The Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony Association was established March 2, 1969, in the home of David and Barbara Cornell.

1973

Chorus Founded

The Symphony Chorus was organized in October 1972, and the first concert was performed February 10, 1973.

1975

Children's Program Founded

The first program for children was presented October 2, 1975.

Schedule


54th Season
September 17th, 2022
Opening Concert
Orchestra Strings // Feat. Guest Conductor Richard Montalto
First Baptist Church
106 E Lampkin St, Starkville, MS
7:30PM
Under the expert baton of guest conductor and composer Richard Montalto, join us as we explore the range of capabilities of the SSO's strings.

Divertimento in F ("Salzburg Symphony No. 3"), K. 138
by Mozart

Air on the G String' from Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068
by Bach

St. Paul's Suite
by Holst

Starkville Suite
by Montalto

Serenade for Strings in E, Op. 22
by Dvorák

October 18th, 2022
Jazz at Renasant
Symphony Jazz Combo
Renasant Plaza
500 E. Lampkin, Starkville, MS
6:00pm
Next, we have our popular jazz concert! Come to the outdoor Renasant Plaza near downtown Starkville, and enjoy an evening of appealing jazz standards performed by our combo led by MSU Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Clifton Taylor.
November 4th, 2022
SSO Family Concert
Symphony Orchestra // Feat. Guest Conductor Denise Rowan
Bettersworth Auditorium
Lee Hall, Mississippi State University
7:30pm
Details Coming Soon. Concert will feature the MSU Music Department Concerto Competition Winner
November 13th, 2022
Shakespeare Songs and Sonnets
Community Chorus
Recital Hall
New MSU Music Building
TBD
Details Coming Soon!

January 21st, 2023
Winter Concert
Symphony Orchestra // Feat. Guest Conductor Richard Human
Bettersworth Auditorium
Lee Hall, Mississippi State University
7:30pm
Detail Coming Soon!
March 4th, 2023
Expressions of Sound
Symphony Orchestra & Community Chorus // Feat. Guest Conductor Philip Stockton
First Baptist Church
106 E. Lampkin St., Starkville, MS
Time TBD
Details Coming Soon
April 22nd, 2023
Wingo Pops Concert
Symphony Orchestra & Community Chorus // Feat. Guest Conductor Daniel Stevens
Bettersworth Auditorium
Lee Hall, Mississippi State University
7:30pm
The Starkville/MSU Symphony Association is proud to present hit selections from both classic and recent popular Broadway shows at its annual Wingo Pops concert. Under the direction of MSU Department of Music Head Dr. Daniel Stevens, the free concert will feature the Symphony Orchestra and Community Chorus along with award-winning vocalist Chelle Denton. The program will include favorites from Hamilton, Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables, Waitress, Funny Girl, The Greatest Showman, and The Sound of Music.


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Music Direction


  • BarryKopetz

    Barry Kopetz

    Music Director and Conductor, SSO Symphony Orchestra

    Portfolio Item

    Peter Infanger

    Conductor, SSO Community Chorus

    Portfolio Item

    Ryan Ross

    SSO Symphony Manager


Programs for Children


Each year the Starkville-MSU Symphony Association presents its Programs for Children. Part of the program includes a contest to create individual art work about the images associated with the song, "Hush Little Baby". Since the theme of the 2019 Programs for Children is "Dance, Clap, Sing and Draw," this contest has been created to promote excitement about the program on November 8, 2019.

2021 Contest Details Coming Soon!

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Our Sponsors


The 2019-2020 Symphony Concert Season and Programs for Children are made possible through grants and support by these and other partners

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Leadership


The Starkville-MSU Symphony Association is a not-for-profit voluntary organization affiliated with Mississippi State University and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.



Executive Committee

Rob Wolz
President

Vacant
Vice President

Betsy Swanson
Secretary

Ania Debicka-Dyer
Treasurer

Haley Montgomery
Past President


Board Members

Mary Beck

Jennifer Blackbourn

Blair Booker

Jan Bryant

Rex Buffington

Jennifer Davis

Misty Francom

Amanda Gronewold

Lee Harris

Elizabeth Hawkins

Bob Hawkins

Tonya Hays

Tonya Hill

Lynn Infanger

Anthony Kirkland

Pat Lane

Dolton McAlpin

Shahram Rahimi

Arete Sprio

Phillip Stockton

Joey Wilkinson


Ex-Officio

Peter Infanger

Cathy Lammons

Ryan Ross

Daniel Stevens


Honorary Life Members

David Cornell

Trudy Gildea

Guy Hargrove

John Van Dyke Saunders

Emeritus

Donald Emerich

M.M. Hawkins

Carolyn Katz

Lyle Nelson

Julia Vissotto

Robert Wolverton, Sr.

Contact


We would love to hear from you! Thank you for supporting the Starkville-MSU Symphony Association.

Address

Starkville-MSU Symphony Association
P.O. Box 1271
Starkville, MS 39759

Phone

Ryan Ross, Symphony Manager
(662) 325-3070