(MURFREESBORO) On Friday night (11/12/20210 The Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra dedicated its 40th anniversary to its founder, Dr. Laurence Harvin. In addition to a new year, the symphony's new performance venue is the Belle Aire Baptist Church at 1397 N. Tennessee Boulevard. The concert was a "Tribute To Veterans".

Symphony CEO Jane McNulty and President Ray Singer presented Dr. Harvin with a beautiful picture of him directing the orchestra in earlier years.

Dr. Harvin noted, "The success has always been the passion and enthusiasm of the orchestra's supporters, combined with the growing number of followers."

(above photo)  Dr. Laurence Harvin

That explanation takes on even stronger meaning with the recent news that Murfreesboro is ranked the "#1 Boomtown In America" along with being in the top ten fastest growing cities in America with a population over 100,000.

Dr. Harvin's love for music formed the University Community Symphony Orchestra in 1981. After eight years, the name was changed to Middle Tennessee Symphony in an effort to become better identified with it following. Then several changes began in 2000 with the Tennessee Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, after that the Murfreesboro Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, and back to the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dr. Joshua Shepherd conducted the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra's "Salute To Our Veterans" and featured a variety of all American favorites by Aaron Copland, Morton Gould and John Philip Sousa. A special part of the evening included the Armed Forces Salute with the playing of each military branches' theme music. Veterans would then stand and be applauded when their branch was featured.

Christmas Concert Is Next

The next Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra's concert is the Christmas Concert at 7:00 o'clock Friday night, December 10, 2021, at Belle Aire Baptist Church.

CEO McNulty said, “For many Middle Tennesseans, the annual Christmas Concert by Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, is an important and treasured part of the season. Come hear our professional musicians play timeless Christmas treasures, that are sure to put you and your loved one in a Christmas spirit.”

Due to the uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus, all tickets are sold à la carte only, and will be made available four weeks prior to the upcoming concert.

For more information about the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, visit their website: https://tnphil.org/ or phone them at 615-898-1862.

All photos by Frank Caperton