After 25 years, conductor Herman May of the Chattanooga Community Orchestra will wave his baton for the final time during the group’s spring concert March 27 at Red Bank Baptist Church.
“Herman has been a wonderful musical support to all of us retired musicians,” said Connie Ward, orchestra member and public relations officer for the group, in an email. “He and his wife, Grace, are well known in the music circle and greatly appreciated.”
“I started conducting the group with just 25 members in 1997, and today, we have around 70,” May said by phone, noting that he previously served as the minister of music at Brainerd Baptist Church, where he helped grow its program considerably over 15 years.
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May found a love for music in college and has held a baton before many local choral and instrumental groups, to the tune of some 70 years combined.