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Jenine Baines

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In baseball, experts say, the odds of making a triple play are one in 10,000.  On March 20, 2008 when it welcomes acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell to the Saenger Theatre, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will have beat some major musical odds of its own and achieved a 'triple play' too- although in this case the player extraordinaire will wield a violin rather than a mitt.

"We're obviously doing something right," Executive Director Stephen Hedrick said.  "For a regional orchestra like the Mobile Symphony to attract three classical music superstars, in three years, is an amazing feat."

The superstars to whom Hedrick alludes include cellist Yo Yo Ma, who performed with the MSO in 2005, and violinist Itzhak Perlman, who visited the orchesta this past March.

And just as the manager/coach plays a leading role in the success of a team, much of the credit for the artistic success and phenomenal growth of the Mobile Symphony is due to its music director and conductor, Scott Speck.

"After he appeared with us, Itzhak Perlman told me, 'Not only is this a fine orchestra, but it's all about your conductor.  The reason the performance went so well is due to Scott Speck'," Hedrick recalls.

Under Speck's baton, orchestra patron stats have grown exponentially; from 8,000 audience members in  2002 to over 25,000 for the upcoming 2007/2008 season.  With subscription rates at 80 percent of the concert hall's capacity, the MSO has plans to add five additional concerts to keep up with demand.

"People in the Mobile Bay area love the arts and aprreciate having such a fine orchestra," Hedrick said.

Following Bell's performance, the orchestra will welcome yet another major artist.  From March 30 to April 9, 2009, violinist Midori will travel to Mobile not only to perform with the MSO, but to work with its youth orchestra and take part in MSO's various education and outreach programs.  

Midori will visit because the MSO is one of two orchestras to be selected to take part in the Orchestra Residencies Program established by the artist.  The program's goal is to increase the presence of the youth orchestra in the community and build upon relationships with the local professional symphony, visting artists and administrative staff.

"Midori has told us that she's very excited about coming to Mobile because she's never been here before," MSO Education Director Sarah Wright said.  "Once she meets our wonderful musicians and witnesses the support our community shows for the arts, she's not going to be disappointed."

For more information about the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, its performances, and educational outreach programs, visit the orchestra's Web site at www.mobilesymphony.org.

To buy tickets, call 251-432-7070 or order online.

Founded in 1970, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, under Music Director Scott Speck, is the premiere producer of live symphonic music in the Gulf Coast region.  It is committed to enhancing the lives of every member of the community by achieving the highest standards in live symphonic music and music education.