September 24, 2025
POPLARVILLE, Miss. 鈥� The 2025-2026 fine arts season at 91福利 opened Tuesday, Sept. 23, with the highly anticipated performance by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra at the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts.
鈥淲e are honored to receive a $4,500 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission, along with support from the Mississippi Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, to help make it possible for the Brownstone Center to host the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra each year,鈥� said Dr. Trevor Hunt, Fine Arts and Communications Chair and Brownstone Center Director. 鈥淭his funding enriches our students and the communities of Poplarville and Pearl River County by bringing world-class music right to our doorstep.鈥�
The concert showcased an eclectic mix of patriotic selections, timeless classical works, iconic film scores and even themes from popular video games. The wide-ranging repertoire meant nearly every listener found a familiar favorite or discovered a new piece that moved them.
The evening began with Music Director and Conductor Crafton Beck inviting the audience to sing along with the National Anthem. The patriotic piece resonated through the auditorium as voices joined the orchestra and set the tone for the night.
The orchestra then launched into the legendary 鈥淩ide of the Valkyries鈥� by Richard Wagner, a rousing piece recognizable from its use in popular culture, including Looney Tunes. In a striking change of mood, the musicians followed with Peter Tchaikovsky’s 鈥淩omeo and Juliet,鈥� a dramatic overture using flowing melodies to tell the tragedy of the star-crossed lovers. The orchestra closed the first half on a more energetic note with Bedrich Smetana鈥檚 鈥淒ance of the Comedians.鈥�
After the intermission, the program shifted to more modern selections. Henry Mancini鈥檚 鈥淪trings on Fire鈥� began the set. Many in the audience recognized 鈥淩iver Flows in You鈥� by Yurima, which featured a piano solo by Stephen Sachs. Beloved by many, the piece is appreciated for its ability to evoke a feeling of peacefulness.
Beck introduced 鈥淰ideo Games Live鈥� as a selection that would be appreciated by the Gen Z audience. Arranged by Ralph Ford, the medley included music from Halo, Civilization, Bounty Hunter, and Kingdom Hearts. Familiar scores followed, including 鈥淥ne Hand, One Heart鈥� by Leonard Bernstein, the 鈥淪tar Spangled Spectacular鈥� medley arranged by John Cacavas, and the iconic theme from 鈥淪uperman鈥� by John Williams.
The orchestra delivered a second opportunity for the audience to participate by singing along with God Bless America, written by Irving Berlin and arranged by Bruce Healey. The night closed triumphantly with John Philip Sousa鈥檚 鈥淪tars and Stripes Forever,鈥� a rousing encore that earned the orchestra a standing ovation.
Poplarville resident and PRCC alumna Melinda Bowman attended with her husband. The concert has become an annual tradition for the couple. Her love of music is lifelong, having played flute and piccolo and being the drum major in the band at PRCC.
鈥淚 come for the Mississippi Symphony every year, and it never gets old,鈥� said Bowman. 鈥淭hey have a great selection. I鈥檝e never played video games, but I loved the medley. And I鈥檝e always loved 鈥淪tars and Stripes Forever鈥� because of the piccolo solo.
鈥淲hen I sit in a seat here at the Brownstone, I am in awe of the architecture and remarkable acoustics. It鈥檚 incredible to have a venue of this caliber right here in Poplarville鈥攇iving our community the chance to experience world-class performances so close to home.鈥�
Dozens of students taking music appreciation this semester attended the concert with papers in hand to record their observations. Zayvion Hartzog is a freshman from Hattiesburg who attended the concert as part of his music appreciation class with Hope Bass.
鈥淚 love music and feel like it鈥檚 one of the greatest gifts from God,鈥� said Hartzog. 鈥淚 enjoyed how the strings and bass coordinated to have both the calm and the excitement. My favorite piece tonight was 鈥極ne Heart, One Heart鈥� with 鈥淒ance of the Comedians鈥� coming in a close second.鈥�
Brownstone Schedule
Four more events are scheduled for the fall semester.
Mark Lowry & Friends will take place on October 13th at 7 PM. Tickets are $35.
ACA Fest, featuring performances by Mississippi high schools and our talented advanced vocal group, The Voices, will be on November 14th at 6 PM. Tickets are $15.
Holiday Pops, the annual Christmas-themed concert, will take place on November 20th at 7 PM. The student concert will feature The Jazz Cats, The Voices, PRCC Singers, Currents, Rapids, and The String of Pearls. Tickets are $7.
The annual performances of The Nutcracker will be on December 6 at 2 PM and 7 PM and on December 7 at 2 PM. Tickets are $25.
Tickets for each event can be purchased at prcc.edu/brownstone/upcoming-events/ or by calling 601-403-1180.
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by Ariona Anderson and Laura O’Neill.
