Meridian Symphony Opens Season With 'The American Spirit'

Craig Purdy makes his official debut as the Artistic Director of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra on Saturday evening. The orchestra will present a concert titled 'The American Spirit' to mark the nation's 250th anniversary. The performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at South Junior High School in Meridian.

The program centers on music by two American composers, Aaron Copland and Howard Hanson. Copland's 'An Outdoor Overture and A Lincoln Portrait' features spoken excerpts from Abraham Lincoln. These include passages from the Gettysburg Address and his 1862 annual message to Congress.

Bill Kloppenburg, a performer and assistant principal at South Junior High School, described the project as a genuine celebration of American music. 'It's almost like you're getting a 3D image of the president,' Kloppenburg said.

The concert holds personal significance for Purdy, who calls it a homecoming. Several of his former students from Boise State University now play in the orchestra. He also notes a specific connection to the final piece on the bill, Howard Hanson's Symphony Number 2. Purdy performed that work under the direction of Hanson during his own school days.

Tickets are available through the Meridian Symphony Orchestra website. Purdy views the performance as the group's contribution to the region's anniversary celebrations. He described the moment as touching and a special opportunity to work with local musicians.