Statements
Mission
The purpose of the TPO is to improve the quality of life and awareness of culture and the arts in Middle Tennessee and surrounding areas through community involvement, and by presenting artistically sound programs that entertain us as they challenge us to learn and inspire us to believe. The TPO's Core values are: 1. Service to community (concerts, school participation, school visits, visits to senior citizens and veterans' homes) 2. Education for all ages 3. Provide opportunities for our musicians 4. High professional quality
Background
During the 2022-2023 season, the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) celebrated its 41st season. The TPO has deep roots in Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) may be considered the cradle of the symphony, and Dr. Laurence Harvin its founder. Since its inception, the TPO has changed names and moved several times, seeking larger physical space as well as extending its reach from the university into the community. In 1981, the University Symphony Orchestra was still part of the MTSU Department of Music. From 1982 to 1988, it was named the University-Community Symphony Orchestra, still within MTSU. In 1989, the orchestra became the Middle Tennessee Symphony. In order to attract international musicians, Dr. Harvin renamed the orchestra the Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra in 2000 and the Murfreesboro Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra in 2003. Following Dr. Harvin's retirement, the decision was made to focus on the community where the orchestra is located, and the name of Murfreesboro Symphony Orchestra was adopted as our DBA. Currently, we go by our legal name, TN Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. Performances began in Wright Music Hall then graduated to The MTSU Tucker Theater and then the First United Methodist Church. Jeffrey Reed, founder, musical director, and conductor of Orchestra Kentucky took the reigns as TPO's conductor following Harvin's retirement. Reed brought to Murfreesboro his creative style of combining classical and pop music in the same program. After two seasons with TPO, Reed returned to KY to devote his full attention to the orchestra he founded. In its 2010-2011 season, the TPO presented to its audience a variety of guest conductors. Among these, Joseph Lee became the popular choice for the TPO's third conductor. Joseph continued the tradition of appealing to the classical traditionalist and casual music enthusiast by scheduling programming that appeals to both. Mr. Lee resigned his position at the end of the 2015-16 season. Since that time, the TPO has had many exciting seasons of guest conductors who gave the community a wonderful range of diverse programing. Throughout our many years, we have been constant in the fact that we consist of the finest professional musicians in our area.
Impact
Accomplishments: First, we are very excited to have such a wonderful TPO guild. The guild members have been so supportive and add so much to the success of our symphony. Second, we have seen great growth in our community and educational outreach programs. Our 2023 Spring Music Excellence Awards concert was the most successful yet. This is a performance that is free to the public and contains pre-concert hands on activities to allow children to experience the joy and importance of the arts as well as educate them on all the orchestral instruments. This concert features our award members chosen from grades 6-12 from each school in our area. Another very successful program last year was our Veterans' concert. For the last several years we have teamed up with the host church who provided a pre-concert dinner for veterans and their families. We then, present free concert tickets to the veterans to attend the concert immediately following the dinner. We also, performed a free community concert at Stones River Battle Field and the Fountains of Gateway. Third, with the ability to add focus to some marketing areas we have seen a greater awareness for the TPO. With that we have seen greater attendance at the concerts, fundraising events and the outreach programs. Fourth, we have had some wonderful additions to our board of directors this season. With the addition of these to an already hard working board we have seen great things happening within the TPO and have high hopes that we will be around for many years to continue bringing beautiful music and positive outreach to our community. Current Season Goals: First, continue to expand our community and educational programs. Last year, we visited 20 schools. This year we plan to visit 30+. Second, continue to stabilize the TPO financially by increasing our donors, sponsorships, fundraising and grants. Third, increase the funding and audience base, and significantly increase the awareness of the TPO contribution to education and the quality of life in Middle Tennessee.
Needs
The TPO's most pressing need is funding. #1 Funds to cover our concerts. Each of our concerts costs $20,000 - $25,000 (rental of performance hall, musicians' fees, equipment rental, production cost, printing cost, music rental). #2 Funds to cover our educational programs. This includes our Music Excellence Awards program concert, the Emerging Artist at the April Main Stage concert, and Educational Outreach, which takes TPO musicians directly into the schools for a performance and interactive experience with the kids about the orchestra, musicians, music, instruments, and master classes. #3 Funds to help TPO with marketing. We saw this season what a little extra marketing can do for the awareness of our events. With more marketing we could really grow these events to their full potential.
CEO Statement
The TPO offers the experience and quality of attending a major city symphony orchestra but with the ease and convenience of a small town. Our musicians are all dedicated, professional musicians with a love for performing and a desire to see the TPO continue. There aren't many cities the size of Murfreesboro that can say they have a professional orchestra, especially one of such high quality. It is proven that cities that thrive in the arts are more attractive to new businesses and residents looking to move and can help that city grow in great ways. We have many great art organizations in Murfreesboro, of which the TPO is proud to be a part of, and many with which we team with on other projects. We ask that you please help keep us and them alive and healthy in our community by supporting us each season.
Board Chair Statement
The past year of my presidency of the TPO board has been both fulfilling and challenging. I accepted the presidency because of my desire to keep alive a precious musical legacy. As we continue to work through the effects of Covid, we are actively addressing this challenge through the hard work of the board, the staff, our volunteers, and the support of the community and our faithful audience. As we get further from the year 2020, we have hope of some sense of normalcy. The reward for our hard work has been and continues to be the success of each event we have and the overwhelming positive comments that confirm how important the symphony is to our community. Without the generosity of such organizations as the Community Foundation, our events would not be possible.
Service Categories |
|
| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Symphony Orchestras |
| Secondary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Arts Education |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
.0.
| TN - Bedford |
| TN - Cannon |
| TN - Coffee |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - DeKalb |
| TN - Franklin |
