MSA ’ s 64 th season promises classical elegance and spirited rhythms By Glenda Sanders
Art & Music
A Symphony of Joy
MSA ’ s 64 th season promises classical elegance and spirited rhythms By Glenda Sanders
Following the theme A Symphony of Joy , the 64th season of the Meridian Symphony Association promises to offer an extraordinary blend of classical elegance , spirited rhythms and community-focused events .
The 2024-2025 season of the Meridian Symphony , announced in June , will celebrate the richness of musical heritage , diversity and arts education , according to an association news release . The season will open in September and run through May 2025 .
Once again , the Meridian Symphony will be led by Maestro Peter Rubardt , who currently serves as the music director of not only the Meridian Symphony but also the Pensacola , Florida , and Mississippi Gulf Coast symphonies . A native of Berkeley , California , Rubardt holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting from The Juilliard School , where he was the recipient of the Bruno Walter fellowship . A Fulbright scholar , he studied piano and conducting at the famed Vienna Hochschule fur Musik and pursued further studies at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute .
The association ’ s annual Symphony Series will open at 7 p . m ., Saturday , Sept . 28 , and feature the ambience and music of the classical era with a stunning Bach violin concerto at the MSU Riley Center , located at the corner of 22nd Avenue and Fifth Street .
The series will continue on Saturday , Dec . 7 , with Peppermint Pops , a beloved holiday favorite in the community that will showcase the talents of local sutudents and is sure to bring holiday cheer . This year ’ s Peppermint Pops , set to start at 7 p . m . at the MSU Riley Center , will feature the Symphony Chorus and the Meridian High School Honor Choir .
The Symphony Series will conclude Saturday , May 3 , 2025 , with another favorite tradition , Beethoven & Blue Jeans , a casual evening celebrating Beethoven ’ s masterpieces and the themes of courage and triumph through modern popular music of today . Beethoven & Blue Jeans is slated for 7 p . m . at the MSU Riley Center .
This season introduces the new Sinfonietta Series , which will highlight the use of smaller orchestras , local venues and Southern artists to create an intimate and unique concert
28 • MERIDIAN LIFE