Timeless Tunes, New Horizons
Discover the 56th season


The Starkville-MSU Symphony Association

About the SSO


Since 1969, the Starkville-MSU Symphony has provided the greater Starkville area and the Golden Triangle with a true community grown experience of classical music. With the goal of introducing this vibrant genre to an audience reflecting the entire Starkville community, every concert has remained free and open to the public throughout the Symphony's entire 55-year history.


As a testament to the community's commitment to exceptional music, Starkville stands as one of the only cities of its size in the nation to support a continuing symphony orchestra for over fifty years.


Each year the Symphony Concert Season showcase the talents of musicians from Mississippi State University, Starkville, and the surrounding communities, along with guest musicians from across the state.

1969

Orchestra Founded

The Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony Association was established March 2, 1969, in the home of David and Barbara Cornell.

1973

Chorus Founded

The Symphony Chorus was organized in October 1972, and the first concert was performed February 10, 1973.

1975

Children's Program Founded

The first program for children was presented October 2, 1975.

Schedule


56th Season
August 25th, 2024
New Beginnings
Symphony Orchestra
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Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall
Mississippi State University
2:00 PM
To kick off the 24-25 season, the Starkville Symphony Orchestra plays on the theme of beginning at 1-2-3, through Beethoven's beloved Symphony No. 1, the invigorating Marquez Danzon No. 2, and the flowing melodies of Dvorak's Symphony No. 3. The Starkville-MSU Symphony Association Annual Meeting and Reception will follow the concert in the main lobby.
September 20th, 2024
Jazz at the Renasant
Symphony Jazz Combo
Renasant Plaza
Downtown Starkville
7:30 PM
An annual favorite and gift back to the Starkville community, the musicians of the Starkville Symphony Orchestra present an evening of jazz on the Renasant Bank plaza. There is no better way to kickoff football weekend than with dining and a concert in downtown Starkville.
September 29th, 2024
Robert Frost & Friends
Community Chorus and Starkville High School Choirs
First Baptist Church
Starkville, MS
2:00 PM
The concert features “Frostiana” - seven country poems of Robert Frost set for chorus and piano by Randall Thompson - with the Starkville High School Chamber Singers and guest pianist Roseangela Sebba and celebrates the friendship of the Community Chorus and the Starkville High choral department.
October 18th, 2024
John Paul White
Symphony Orchestra
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Humphrey Coliseum
Mississippi State University
7:30 PM
Four-time Grammy Award winning artist, formerly half of The Civil Wars, John Paul White joins us for a unique crossover performance reimagining the Southern Rock, Americana, and Country hits that made him famous. This stand-alone special event features John Paul White, his band, and the entire orchestra sponsored by MSU’s Lyceum Series, Music Makers Productions, and the Starkville-MSU Symphony Association. This event has been held to rave reviews in multiple orchestras around the nation.
November 17th, 2024
With Thanksgiving
Symphony Orchestra and Community Chorus
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Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall
Mississippi State University
2:00 PM
It is with thanks to the greater Starkville community that the orchestra, featuring Peter Infanger and the Starkville Community Chorus, brings a heartfelt symphonic pops event in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday. Featured works include Copland’s The Promise of Living, Rutter’s For the Beauty of the Earth, and Willberg’s arrangement of Simple Gifts.
January 25th, 2025
Annual Gala Fundraiser
Symphony Friends and Patrons
Gathering Starkville
1437 Fire Station Road
6:30 PM
You are cordially invited to the Annual Symphony Gala Fundraiser, a night of music, fellowship and philanthropy. Please join us for live musical performances, hors d’oeuvres, and refreshments. Your presence and contributions will directly support our mission to enrich the community through music and education. The funds raised will help us continue to provide exceptional concert experiences and expand our outreach programs.
February 9th, 2025
String Serenade
Symphony Orchestra
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Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall
Mississippi State University
2:00 PM
In a return engagement from the prior season postponed due to bad weather, the string section of the Starkville Symphony Orchestra presents chamber favorites, including Grieg’s Holberg Suite, the Elgar Serenade for Strings, and the Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings. In addition, the orchestra will perform a Starkville premiere of Kilar’s Orawa with 15 individual string parts!
March 23rd, 2025
Gloria
Symphony Orchestra and Community Chorus
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Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall
Mississippi State University
2:00 PM
The annual choral masterworks performance, featuring the Starkville Community Chorus and MSU Choirs, will highlight Rutter’s famous Gloria. In addition, Maestro Stevens will conduct Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra and welcome the MSU Solo Artist Competition Winner to the stage.
May 3rd, 2025
Wingo Pops Presents, Home of the Brave
Symphony Orchestra and Community Chorus
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Bettersworth Auditorium, Lee Hall
Mississippi State University
7:30 PM
As a salute to our military and civilian service for working tirelessly to keep our country safe, the Starkville Symphony Orchestra will perform music of America. From patriotic favorites of The Star-Spangled Banner and Stars and Stripes Forever, to an orchestral salute to Rocky Mountain Majesty (Brubaker) and John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen, you will be sure to bring family and friends to this powerful tribute.


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Our Sponsors


The 2023-2024 Symphony Concert Season and Programs for Children are made possible through grants and support by these and other partners

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Programs for Children


Each year the Starkville-MSU Symphony Association presents its Programs for Children. Part of the program includes a contest to create individual art work about the images associated with the song, "Hush Little Baby". Since the theme of the 2019 Programs for Children is "Dance, Clap, Sing and Draw," this contest has been created to promote excitement about the program on November 8, 2019.

2023 Contest Details Coming Soon!

Leadership


  • DanielStevens

    Daniel Stevens

    Music Director and Conductor, SSO Symphony Orchestra

    Portfolio Item

    Peter Infanger

    Conductor, SSO Community Chorus

    Portfolio Item

    Ryan Ross

    SSO Symphony Manager





Board of Directors


The Starkville-MSU Symphony Association is a not-for-profit voluntary organization affiliated with Mississippi State University and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.



Executive Committee

Rex Buffington
President


Vice President

Betsy Swanson
Secretary

Blair Booker
Treasurer

Rob Wolz
Past President


Board Members

Kenn Beamon

Jan Bryant

Jennifer Davis

Andrew (starting in January) Gaston

Brandi Harrington

Elizabeth Hawkins

Robert Hawkins

Tonya Hays

Eric Hill

Kyle Jordan

Pat Lane

Dolton McAlpin

Jack McCarty

Michael Navicky

Denise Rowan

Arete Sprio

Phillip Stockton

Tommy Tomlinson

Steve Turner


Ex-Officio

Peter Infanger

Cathy Lammons

Ryan Ross

Daniel Stevens


Honorary Life Members

David Cornell

Trudy Gildea

Guy Hargrove

John Van Dyke Saunders

Emeritus

Donald Emerich

MM. Hawkins

Carolyn Katz

Lyle Nelson

Julia Vissotto

Robert Wolverton, Sr

Contact


We would love to hear from you! Thank you for supporting the Starkville-MSU Symphony Association.

Address

Starkville-MSU Symphony Association
P.O. Box 1271
Starkville, MS 39759

Phone

Ryan Ross, Symphony Manager
(662) 325-3070