Holly Mulcahy is the new concertmaster for the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera.
The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera announced Friday the appointment of their new concertmaster. Holly Mulcahy, who performed on last season’s Dvorak No. 6 program in November, was chosen from seven candidates who each played one Masterworks concert in the 2012/13 season.
“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Holly Mulcahy as the new concertmaster of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera,” stated CSO music director, Kayoko Dan. “She is a dynamic violinist, the author of the popular classical music blog NeoClassical, a strong advocate of arts and music, and a fantastic leader. She will be a great asset to the orchestra and the community. The relationship between the concertmaster and the conductor is extremely important. I am confident that with her leadership and our partnership, we will achieve the next level of artistic excellence.”
She began developing her leadership skills at the renowned Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University with former Baltimore Symphony concertmaster Herbert Greenberg. In recent seasons she has enjoyed serving as guest concertmaster for the Columbus Symphony (OH), Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and a one year appointment as interim concertmaster for OrchestraIowa.
As an in-demand performer, Ms. Mulcahy maintains a very busy schedule serving as traveling concertmaster for the Emmy Award winner George Daugherty’s Bugs Bunny at the Symphony program and performing with the Grammy Award winning Nashville Symphony and Milwaukee Symphony. She spends her summers at the celebrated Grand Teton Music Festival where in addition to performing in the violin section and assistant principal second, Ms. Mulcahy volunteers as an active chamber musician.
"It is a rich combination of great ingredients that make the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera instantly appealing,” stated Ms. Mulcahy. “Having made the decision to pass up similar opportunities in orchestras with larger budgets, it is a pleasure to see chemistry between musicians and music director that reveals a genuine appreciation for making music with the dedication to excellence and sincerity. I’m delighted and honored to be a part of this organization by serving as concertmaster. It is clear to me that in a time where classical music faces a rapidly changing future, this is the right orchestra with the right people to keep such a great art form thriving.”
Ms. Mulcahy will perform on each of the seven Masterworks programs beginning in September as well as some of the Chamber and Pops programs. Ms. Mulcahy replaces long-time CSO concertmaster Don Zimmer, who retired after 33 years with the CSO at the end of the 2011/12 season.