Celebrate life through music. That is the theme for this season. We gather this year to bring music and entertainment through classical music and the "pops."

Grasping art and culture represent some of the finest flowers of life, giving the sweetest meaning to the end of a perfect day. Music allows the greatness of the human soul to fulfill itself bringing opportunities for the enjoyment of life and ending the day with contentment.

Our community is fulfilled through culture, strengthening the health of the community and attracting a sophisticated work force that benefits us all beyond music. Monroe and the area is known throughout the region for being strong in the Arts. Music leads the charge, and the quality for our area is exceptional under the direction of Dr. Clay Couturiaux and our capable musicians.

Enjoy the season as a patron and bring your friends to the Jack Howard Theatre. It is your support that makes this opportunity possible, the pleasure of enjoying the finest moments in music recaptured here and imprinted in your hearts and memories.

Ray Armstrong, President



Dear Patrons and Friends of the MSO,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 2007-2008 season of the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. Of all the arts, music is the one that bypasses the obvious senses and grabs us by the soul. There are times in this increasingly frantic world when music is the refuge we all need in order to recharge, reassess, and renew ourselves. I invite you to join us this season and Celebrate Life Through Music!

The MSO is proud to present to you a selection of wonderful guest artists that include trumpet virtuoso Joh Holt (principal trumpet/Dallas Opera Orchestra), accomplished cellist Efe Baltacigil (associate principal cello/Philadelphia Orchestra), and the amazing vocal ensamble, InPulse. We will also collaborate with local artists, including the Monroe Symphony Chorus in a special performance of Haydn's masterful oratorio, The Creation, as well as the Lawrence Gibbs Orchestra at the Winter Pops Concert. The winners of the MSO Young Artists Competition will exhibit their considerable talents for an exceptional evening of entertainment. The year is filled with many symphonic masterpieces - Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2, de Falla's El sombrero de tres picos (The Three Cornered Hat), and Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio Espagnol, just to name a few.

It is a season that reaches out to families and young people with holiday, family and children concerts. But most of all it is a season filled with fantastic music. I hope that you will take just a few minutes to renew or begin a subscription to the MSO's 37th season. These special concerts offer an unforgettable experience and are events that will sweep you off your feet and have you clamoring for more.

Clay Couturiaux, Music Director/Conductor