[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 7532-7533]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         MAESTRO COLMAN PEARCE

 Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, when the Mississippi Symphony 
Orchestra concludes its 54th season with its traditional ``Pops 
Concert'' in Jackson on May 7, Maestro Colman Pearce will retire after 
twelve years as music director and principal conductor. During his 
tenure, Pearce has brought life and vigor to the mission of the 
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. He has projected enormous energy into 
the task of developing audiences from preschoolers to senior citizens, 
and all ages in between.
  Maestro Pearce is a gifted conductor of international renown with a 
brilliant knowledge of musical styles and repertoire. He is an equally 
gifted pianist and composer. His keen Irish wit, personal charm, 
enthusiasm, and intellect, combined with a willingness to spread the 
joy of music whenever and wherever, and special gifts.
  When Colman came to Mississippi in 1987, he found a group of superb 
players, an enthusiastic Board of Governors, and a loyal army of 
volunteers known as the Symphony League. He was aware of a financial 
deficit, of unrest among the musicians, and of declining audience 
support. Quickly garnering the support of the board, league and the 
musicians, Maestro Pearce forged ahead. After a few successful seasons, 
he led the orchestra into statewide status and it became the 
Mississippi Symphony.
  Colman's musicianship, intellect, vision, and savoir faire have made 
him an appealing stage presence in venues beyond the formal concert 
halls. He has taken the MSO everywhere audiences can be found--ball 
parks, schools, city streets, shopping malls, theaters, lakesides, and 
beaches. Thousands of Mississippians have come to recognize Colman and 
the musicians by name and by instrument. They have identified with the 
Symphony as a Mississippi ``product'' of which they are proud. The 
Symphony has become an accessible commodity across the State.
  Upgrading the quality of musical offerings, especially in formal 
concert halls, has been his major focus. However, he has expanded the 
goals and outreach to include programs at all levels:
  Chamber Orchestra.--Twenty-eight core musicians present concerts 
within the regular season at Millsaps College Recital Hall and the 
Briarwood Presbyterian Church sanctuary. These concerts are viewed as 
``learning experiences'' since the programs are always sprinkled with 
biographical data and interesting anecdotes about the composers whose 
works are being performed. Programming is innovative, often including 
contemporary music. Colman plays twentieth century music with flair, 
challenging the understanding and enjoyment of both the musicians and 
their audiences.
  Children's Concerts.--More than 4,000 children in grades three, four, 
and five literally pack Jackson's city auditorium annually when Colman 
directs the special concerts. He assists teachers in area schools in 
the preparation of study materials to acquaint students with the 
program they will hear.
  Kinderconcerts.--Programs are planned according to the attention span 
of pre-school children with emphasis on short classical and new music. 
Colman has featured the work of Mississippi composer Luigi Zananelli 
(``The Steadfast Tin Soldier''), and an adaptation of the Dr. Seuss 
classic, ``Green Eggs and Ham'', to the delight of the young audiences.
  Academic and Performing Arts Complex.--This branch of the Jackson 
Public School system has been supported by Colman through lectures, by 
allowing students to attend orchestra rehearsals, and through 
invitations to music and dance students to actually perform with the 
Symphony.

[[Page 7533]]

  Young Artist Competition.--In addition to showcasing young talent 
whenever possible, Colman has judged competitions, offering insightful 
feedback to contestants. Winners have often been invited to perform 
with the Chamber Orchestra.
  Family Fun Concerts.--In addition to enjoyable and easy listening 
music performed by the Symphony, the concerts have featured other 
attractions, such as mimes, dancers, and storytellers, in a casual 
setting. Colman's final Family Fun Concert featured a performance of 
Walter Anderson's ``Robinson the Cat,'' a work composed by Maestro 
Pearce in collaboration with mezzo-soprano Lester Senter Wilson.
  Pops Concerts.--Old Trace Park at the Reservoir has been the scene of 
the Symphony Pops for many years, with residents of a five county area 
gathering on the shore (and in the water) for an early summer evening 
concert of semi-classical and popular music.
  The Messiah.--Under the direction of Maestro Pearce, the Mississippi 
Symphony Orchestra has presented the ``definitive'' performance of 
Handel's Christmas classic in Thalia Mara Hall each December. Soloists 
are chosen from throughout the state, and choirs from the state's 
colleges and universities have been showcased. In recent years, the 
famed Mississippi Chorus has been featured.
  A native of Ireland with an honors degree from the National 
University of Ireland, Dublin, Colman Pearce studied conducting with 
Franco Ferrara in Hilversum and Hans Swarowsky in Vienna. In 1965, he 
began a long association with the Irish National Broadcasting 
Organization, serving as Co-principal, Principal, and now Conductor 
Laureate of the Irish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra (now 
called the National Symphony Orchestra.) In the years prior to 
accepting his position with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and 
since, he has maintained a busy schedule as a guest conductor in other 
parts of the United States, and in Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Germany, 
France, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, Iceland, Israel, Hungary, and in the 
United Kingdom.
  Maestro Pearce will now concentrate upon his activities as a pianist, 
arranger and composer, his recordings of contemporary works, and upon 
guest conducting from his home in Dublin.
  Colman leaves the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra financially sound, 
having established record setting season ticket sales and significantly 
broadened the orchestra's constituency.
  When Colman came to Mississippi twelve years ago, he immediately 
accepted and embraced the best in Mississippians and set about adding 
value to the state through his development of the orchestra. With his 
Irish charm, good humor, talent, artistic commitment, and resourceful 
programming, he has also won the hearts of many Mississippians who now 
bid him ``Goodbye, and Godspeed.''

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