Meridian Symphony Orchestra

News like this is a reminder of something audiences don't always get to see: sustaining a symphony takes an entire community.

Ticket sales are only one piece of what makes a symphony orchestra possible. It takes musicians who travel to our town, donors and sponsors who invest in the mission, volunteers who give their time, staff who work overtime, and, most importantly, a community that believes live music is worth sustaining.

To everyone who continues to show up for the Meridian Symphony Association: thank you. You are the reason the music continues 💙

For 80 years, audiences across Middle Tennessee have supported the Nashville Symphony in our mission to inspire and engage our community with the power of orchestral music.

Our story doesn't end here.

Our Board of Directors recently made the difficult decision to suspend the 2026-27 season effective October 18 to address financial challenges and establish a solid foundation for the future. You can read our full statement on our website. (The Symphony Ball and Symphony Fashion Show will still take place as planned, along with weddings, hall rentals, and several other musical performances.)

Thank you for the outpouring of goodwill and generosity you have offered in this moment. While after October 17 it will be some time before our orchestra returns to the stage, we are grateful for our community's enduring support, and we remain confident that the Nashville Symphony's future will be brighter than ever.

Here are two ways you can help:

1) Give. Every donation helps us rebuild for the future. Visit the link in our bio and offer your contribution today.

2) Share. Post your favorite Nashville Symphony memories and photos using the tag . Performances. Weddings. Free neighborhood concerts. Milestones. Holiday traditions. Tell your friends and family how they can contribute to our future, and spread the joy of music throughout our community.

Thank you for everything...

The music will go on.

Some of the most important moments of Opening Night happened before the curtain ever went up.⁠
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Guest artist Barrie Cooper arrived in Meridian early so that her time here could extend beyond Saturday night’s performance.⁠
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She spent time with children in our local schools and public libraries, sharing not only her incredible talent on the violin, but her personality, passion, and love for music 🎶⁠
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For some of these students, this may have been their first opportunity to experience a professional musician this closely. Maybe one of them went home wanting to pick up a violin. Maybe another simply discovered that classical music could be exciting, fun, and meant for them too.⁠
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That is why community engagement matters to us 💙⁠
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The Meridian Symphony exists not only to put beautiful music on a stage, but to make sure that music reaches beyond it.⁠
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Barrie, thank you for giving so generously of your time and talent and for helping us inspire the next generation of music lovers right here in our community.⁠
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This is !

Great music brings people together, and we think good food does too! 🙌

Opening Night was about creating an experience from the moment our guests walked through the doors, and Weidmann's helped us do exactly that.

From feeding our musicians after hours of rehearsal to helping us welcome our patrons before the concert, they helped make sure our Symphony family was well taken care of (and very well fed!)🍴

There’s something special about seeing longtime Meridian traditions support one another, and we’re incredibly grateful to Weidmann's for being part of the hospitality and heart behind Opening Night: Where Worlds Meet.

Thank you for helping us set the table for a beautiful beginning to Season 66! 🎶

What an incredible kickoff to our 66th Season: Where Worlds Meet!⁠
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The magic you experience at a Meridian Symphony concert isn’t created in one weekend.⁠
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It begins months before, with musicians spending countless hours alone with their instruments and metronomes, a guest artist perfecting every note, and a Maestro buried deep in his scores preparing for the moment everyone finally comes together.⁠
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Then, in less than 48 hours, all of those worlds meet.⁠
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Our guest artist, Barrie Cooper, brought breathtaking artistry and personality to the stage, while guest Maestro Robert Moody brought an infectious energy and joy to our musicians, patrons, and staff.⁠
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And then there was YOU.⁠
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To everyone who filled the room Saturday night, applauded, supported our musicians, and chose to experience live music with us, THANK YOU. You are part of what makes these moments possible.⁠
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We hope you left feeling just as inspired as we did.⁠
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Season 66 has officially begun! NEXT UP: Peppermint Pops, December 5 🎄 ⁠
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We can’t wait to welcome you back as Where Worlds Meet continues!

It’s Opening Night! 🎻⁠
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Tonight, the Meridian Symphony Orchestra takes the stage to kick off our 2026–27 Season: Where Worlds Meet!⁠
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Robert Moody, conductor leads the orchestra, joined by guest violinist Barrie Cooper, for an evening of live music that marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for MSA 🎶⁠
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If you’ve been waiting to make plans, this is your sign—there’s still time to join us tonight!⁠
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Grab your tickets, bring a friend, and meet us at The MAX - The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience 🎟️ Grab your tickets for Opening Night: Where Worlds Meet here: meridianso.org/opening-night

Join us at the Meridian Lauderdale County Public Library this morning for a special Musician Spotlight featuring violinist Barrie Cooper! 🎻 ⁠
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Barrie is Acting Concertmaster of the Memphis Symphony, with a career that has taken her from stages across the U.S. to Graz, Austria. Today, you can experience her artistry up close at 11AM—free and open to the public!⁠
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Consider this your preview of what’s to come 👀 Barrie will join the Meridian Symphony Orchestra as a guest violinist for Opening Night: Where Worlds Meet this Saturday at The MAX - The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience!⁠
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Come meet the musician today, then hear her take the stage with the full orchestra Saturday night! Visit meridianso.org/opening-night to purchase Opening Night tickets 🎫⁠
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Concert week is HERE, and Opening Night: Where Worlds Meet is just days away! 🎻⁠
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Our 66th Season, Where Worlds Meet, launches on Saturday—and we want you in the audience for every note.⁠
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Guest conductor Robert Moody takes the podium alongside guest violinist Barrie Cooper for a bold Opening Night program featuring music by Bizet, Vaughan Williams, Mendelssohn, and more!⁠
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📍 The MAX - The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, 7 PM⁠
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Don’t wait until Saturday to make your plans—grab your tickets NOW and join us for Opening Night! 🎟️ meridianso.org/opening-night

Meridian, we’ll see you in ONE WEEK! 🎻

Opening Night: Where Worlds Meet brings passion, beauty, and bold sound to The MAX - The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience with guest conductor Robert Moody, conductor, guest violinist Barrie Cooper, and music by Bizet, Vaughan Williams, and Mendelssohn.

Don't wait to secure your seats! Contact us to purchase 2026-27 Season Subscriptions or purchase Opening Night tickets online now: purplepass.com/events/386702-opening-night-where-worlds-meet-sep-26th-2026

Meet the maestro taking the podium on Opening Night: Where Worlds Meet! 🎶⁠
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Robert Moody, conductor, is known not only for how he conducts, but for what he brings together—pairing beloved repertoire with bold ideas and unexpected connections. ⁠
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On September 26, he joins the Meridian Symphony to kick off our 2026-27 Season, Where Worlds Meet, featuring guest violinist Barrie Cooper! 🎻⁠
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🗓️ September 26 @ 7 PM⁠
📍 The MAX - The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience
🎟️ Tickets on sale NOW: purplepass.com/events/386702-opening-night-where-worlds-meet-sep-26th-2026
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Welcome to WHERE WORLDS MEET 💫

The Meridian Symphony’s 2026-27 Season is here! Our 66th season unites extraordinary artists, cultures, stories, and sounds, offering something for everyone.

Our journey begins with Opening Night: Where Worlds Meet on September 26 at The MAX - The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, featuring guest conductor Robert Moody, guest violinist Barrie Cooper, and music by Bizet, Vaughan Williams, and Mendelssohn!

Tickets are on sale NOW! Contact us for 2026-27 Season Subscriptions or purchase Opening Night tickets online here: purplepass.com/events/386702-opening-night-where-worlds-meet-sep-26th-2026