Thursday night Skip Houck, front, plays the flugle horn as Tracy Street, back, plays the tenor horn during Jericho Brass’ Veteran’s Day concert at the Ringgold Depot. The band played songs honoring all branches of the nation’s armed forces. Quick Look
East Tennessee Symphony Orchestraetsomusic.orgYear founded: 2005Number of members: 50-60Next concert: to be determinedETSO, which features string, wind, brass and percussion sections, may be best known for its annual performances alongside the city of Collegedale’s Independence Day celebrations. The orchestra is especially excited about the development of Collegedale Commons over the next several months, which will include an amphitheater as a new performance venue for ETSO and other community bands and orchestras, as well.MidSouth Symphonic Bandmidsouthsymphonicband.orgYear founded: 1990Number of members: 64-70Next concert: May 15 at 3 p.m. at Ringgold High School Performing Arts CenterMidSouth Symphonic has its own rehearsal hall at the old Rossville High School, where players meet every Thursday to practice for seasonal concerts. In addition to the summer concert on May 15, the group is preparing for a trip to Orlando to perform at CityWalk at Universal Studios.Jericho Brassjerichobrassband.orgYear founded: 1998Number of members: 35Next concert: April 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Hixson United Methodist ChurchThis traditional British-style brass band has a little over 500 performances under its belt. Its unique sound is more mellow than other brass bands, with a dynamic range and ability to play extremely softly or very loudly. It’s likely one of only three or four of this style of brass band that exist in the entire state of Tennessee, says Director Frank Hale.Chattanooga Community Orchestrafacebook.com/SeniorNeighborsOrchestraYear founded: 1957Number of members: 72Next concert: April 17 at 3 p.m. at Ridgedale Baptist ChurchFormerly known as Senior Neighbors, this community orchestra meets each week on Monday morning to rehearse its sound. Director Herman May says he likes to keep the concerts light, fun and relevant for the audience, even performing songs from Frozen for kids and, more recently, songs from Star Wars.
The main hall of the Volkswagen Conference Center is pristine, spacious and empty, with the exception of three people standing at the center of its glistening white floors. MidSouth Symphonic Band President Megan Herndon, Director Jim Souders and member Pattie Lane’s words echo in the great space as they discuss the acoustics of the room.
“It might be the first time a community band has played at a Volkswagen plant,” laughs Herndon, referring to the band’s annual spring performance that occurred in late March. In MidSouth’s 25 years of existence, the all-volunteer, 70-member band has played in various locations. Its recent performance at Volkswagen was part of the group’s efforts to expand its reach into the East Hamilton area.
“Not everyone can afford to go and see the symphony,” Herndon says. “My mom was the queen of free stuff in the town I grew up in. We went to every community band performance. That’s where my love of music came from, and it’s important for people to have somewhere to go [and experience that] for free.”
MidSouth is just one volunteer-driven band of its kind in Chattanooga. The Chattanooga Community Orchestra, Jericho Brass and the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra also all perform for the community, for free, throughout the year, displaying a wealth of talent from all walks of life for the listening pleasure of locals.