In this issue of the Symphony’s newsletter, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Jacksonville Symphony’s First Coast Nutcracker, sponsored by VyStar Credit Union, with behind-the-scenes stories told by the production’s Executive Director, Linda Holmes. You’ll also learn exciting news about Music Director Courtney Lewis leading the prestigious Colburn Orchestra recently. We also spoke with New JSYO Music Director and Associate Conductor Grant O’Brien to discuss his aspirations for the Symphony’s education programs and visiting violinist Emilia Mettenbrink who shares her involvement in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Under the Spotlight
Music Director Courtney Lewis Conducts Famous Colburn Orchestra
On October 29, 2022, Music Director Courtney Lewis, Haskell Endowed Chair, conducted the famous Colburn Orchestra in Los Angeles, California. Known for its world-class faculty and mission to train students at the highest level of classical performance, the Colburn Orchestra is the Colburn Conservatory of Music’s flagship ensemble. The Orchestra also regularly performs at prestigious venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Ambassador Auditorium among many others. Lewis opened the program with György Ligeti’s ethereal soundtrack of Lontano followed by Edward Elgar’s expressive Cello Concerto performed by Shengyu Meng—a Stulberg International String Competition Finalist. The concert culminated in a grand finale with Antonín Dvorak’s masterful seventh symphony.
Inside the Ballet
The Jacksonville Symphony Celebrates the Golden 50th Anniversary of its First Coast Nutcracker
Celebrating its 50th anniversary as a cherished holiday tradition in the community, the Jacksonville Symphony’s First Coast Nutcracker returns to the Moran Theater stage on December 16, 17 and 18. Shining with a new set, the production embraces its robust history that has enriched countless lives through education and the wonder of the performing arts.
The Nutcracker dates back to 1972 when Thelma Johnston Baggs, a prominent supporter of the ballet and well-known teacher, had the vision to bring The Nutcracker to its full potential. Previously, there had only been selected vignettes, known as “Nutcracker Suites” performed in Jacksonville. However, Baggs sought to differentiate the First Coast Nutcracker as the only production with a live Symphony performing its score complete with ballet dancers and vibrant sets.
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Beyond the Barriers
The Jacksonville Symphony Advances DEI Efforts and Welcomes Visiting Sphinx Violinist Emilia Mettenbrink
Part of the Symphony’s DEI Strategy is not only to diversify audiences who attend the Symphony’s concerts but also to recruit and retain musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Partnering with the Symphony to create an orchestra that is reflective of the community it serves is the Sphinx organization whose mission is to “transform lives through the power of diversity in the arts.”
Violinist Emilia Mettenbrink has participated in Sphinx’s programs for several years and will be joining the Jacksonville Symphony to perform in Copland’s Rodeo on January 6 and 7. Read on to get to know Mettenbrink and learn about her inspiring story.
Emilia Mettenbrink
Mettenbrink is a violinist from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who began her classical training at the young age of three. Her passion for the symphonic arts led her to winning the Minnesota Sinfonia Young Artist Competition at the age of nine, study violin performance at the University of Michigan and receive a graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin. Since then, Mettenbrink has performed with revered orchestras across the nation including the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the New World Symphony Orchestra in Miami among many others. Mettenbrink is also the founder of tinybalconyConcerts where she performs concerts on her apartment balcony to uplift surrounding neighbors with music.
Learn More
Behind the Baton
Q&A with New JSYO Music Director and Assistant Conductor Grant O’Brien
Tell us about yourself, your background in music and any exciting events you have recently been a part of.
“I grew up in Houston, Texas, with a single mom and two brothers with very little money. My earliest methods for finding community and comfort were singing in church and performing in community musicals. In high school, I loved playing drums, singing and playing guitar in Rock bands. I also loved watching films and listening to film soundtracks. Fantasia was actually my first introduction to orchestral music. That eventually brought me into the classical world where I picked up the trombone then tuba to play in wind ensembles, marching bands and orchestras. Eventually, during my time at Eastman School of Music, I grew a passion for conducting and producing concerts. I found myself conducting for and later running a small non-profit called Empire Film and Media, an artistic collective that produces multi-media performances of film and media music in the Rochester, New York, area. I came back to Eastman for a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting and studied with Professor Neil Varon.
“I grew up in Houston, Texas, with a single mom and two brothers with very little money. My earliest methods for finding community and comfort were singing in church and performing in community musicals. In high school, I loved playing drums, singing and playing guitar in Rock bands. I also loved watching films and listening to film soundtracks. Fantasia was actually my first introduction to orchestral music. That eventually brought me into the classical world where I picked up the trombone then tuba to play in wind ensembles, marching bands and orchestras. Eventually, during my time at Eastman School of Music, I grew a passion for conducting and producing concerts. I found myself conducting for and later running a small non-profit called Empire Film and Media, an artistic collective that produces multi-media performances of film and media music in the Rochester, New York, area. I came back to Eastman for a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting and studied with Professor Neil Varon.
Learn More
Under the Spotlight
Music Director Courtney Lewis Conducts Famous Colburn Orchestra
On October 29, 2022, Music Director Courtney Lewis, Haskell Endowed Chair, conducted the famous Colburn Orchestra in Los Angeles, California. Known for its world-class faculty and mission to train students at the highest level of classical performance, the Colburn Orchestra is the Colburn Conservatory of Music’s flagship ensemble. The Orchestra also regularly performs at prestigious venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Ambassador Auditorium among many others. Lewis opened the program with György Ligeti’s ethereal soundtrack of Lontano followed by Edward Elgar’s expressive Cello Concerto performed by Shengyu Meng—a Stulberg International String Competition Finalist. The concert culminated in a grand finale with Antonín Dvorak’s masterful seventh symphony.
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Inside the Ballet
The Jacksonville Symphony Celebrates the Golden 50th Anniversary of its First Coast Nutcracker
Celebrating its 50th anniversary as a cherished holiday tradition in the community, the Jacksonville Symphony’s First Coast Nutcracker returns to the Moran Theater stage on December 16, 17 and 18. Shining with a new set, the production embraces its robust history that has enriched countless lives through education and the wonder of the performing arts.
The Nutcracker dates back to 1972 when Thelma Johnston Baggs, a prominent supporter of the ballet and well-known teacher, had the vision to bring The Nutcracker to its full potential. Previously, there had only been selected vignettes, known as “Nutcracker Suites” performed in Jacksonville. However, Baggs sought to differentiate the First Coast Nutcracker as the only production with a live Symphony performing its score complete with ballet dancers and vibrant sets.
The scope of her dream required financial support, so Baggs collaborated with the Women’s Guild of the Jacksonville Children’s Museum. The ballet continued to be presented by the Women’s Guild until 1988 when the Jacksonville Symphony partnered with the City of Jacksonville to carry on the tradition. Years later, the Symphony independently adopted the production and has brought it to life each season since.
Throughout the production’s history, one individual in particular has been with The Nutcracker for thirty years as both a volunteer and as the current Costume Designer and First Coast Executive Director: Linda Holmes.
“There are so many stunning aspects of the First Coast Nutcracker . [Pyotr Ilyich] Tchaikovsky’s music is some of the most beloved ever written and soars to even more breathtaking heights when performed live by the Jacksonville Symphony,” said Holmes. “Seeing the artistry of a large cast that comes together as one, with all of the visual elements that dance provides, it’s a complete package.”
Since the beginning, one of the focal points of the production was to provide young ballet students with the educational opportunity to work with illustrious choreographers, guest artists and musicians. This mission still carries true to this day with more than 130 young community dance students performing on the stage.
In as early as August, Holmes and other directors put on auditions to fill The Nutcracker’s various roles and begin preparing for the production. After they are selected, students attend weekly rehearsals under the guidance of Choreographer and Artistic Director, Rhonda Stampalia, and assistants to learn the choreography and hone their dance skills.
“It is incredible to witness the growth of our students and watch them make strides in their professional careers as dancers or simply in their passions for the art form,” said Holmes. “Many of our students have gone on to professional careers in ballet and return to us as alumni because of the sense of family created by working together as a cast.”
The Jacksonville Symphony’s First Coast Nutcracker has also greatly expanded its audience reach by providing over 5,000 students with the opportunity to attend special performances at reduced, accessible prices. Additionally, 1,250 community service tickets are given to families throughout the First Coast each season.
For the 50th anniversary, audiences will discover a new set created by Stage Manager and Set Designer John Pettigrew that depicts a vibrant snow illustration during Act I, Scene III: “The Land of Snow.” There are also new costuming pieces such as sparkling tiaras for all of the ballerinas who play Snowflakes and Flowers, a new costume for the Sugar Plum Fairy decorated in pink and gold to commemorate the anniversary, a new costume for the Lead Snowflake and a new costume for the Nutcracker doll.
“The Nutcracker embodies the magic of the holidays with a feel-good story about family and discovering precious moments to always remember,” said Holmes. “We are given an inside look into a child’s imagination that fills us with awe. This is why this production is such a treasured tradition—because it reminds us to tap into the joy within us and that surrounds us.”
The Jacksonville Symphony’s First Coast Nutcracker is presented by VyStar Credit Union.
The Jacksonville Symphony’s First Coast Nutcracker is presented by VyStar Credit Union.
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Beyond the Barriers
The Jacksonville Symphony Advances DEI Efforts and Welcomes Visiting Sphinx Violinist Emilia Mettenbrink
A focal point of the Jacksonville Symphony’s mission is to ensure that musical opportunities are made accessible to all through its robust Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Part of the Symphony’s DEI Strategy is not only to diversify audiences who attend the Symphony’s concerts but also to recruit and retain musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Partnering with the Symphony to create an orchestra that is reflective of the community it serves is the Sphinx organization whose mission is to “transform lives through the power of diversity in the arts.”
Musicians who are just beginning their musical journeys, seasoned professionals, administrators and entrepreneurs are among the many individuals who Sphinx supports. The organization provides a wide variety of services that highlight musicians’ achievements and foster their artistic growth. These include year-round tuition-free education, performances, sector-wide partnerships with 300+ organizations, new commissions by Black and Latinx composers and many other initiatives.
Violinist Emilia Mettenbrink has participated in Sphinx’s programs for several years and will be joining the Jacksonville Symphony to perform in Copland’s Rodeo on January 6 and 7. Read on to get to know Mettenbrink and learn about her inspiring story.
Emilia Mettenbrink
Mettenbrink is a violinist from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who began her classical training at the young age of three. Her passion for the symphonic arts led her to winning the Minnesota Sinfonia Young Artist Competition at the age of nine, study violin performance at the University of Michigan and receive a graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin. Since then, Mettenbrink has performed with revered orchestras across the nation including the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the New World Symphony Orchestra in Miami among many others. Mettenbrink is also the founder of tinybalconyConcerts where she performs concerts on her apartment balcony to uplift surrounding neighbors with music.
She is currently a full-time violinist with the Minnesota Opera Orchestra and the Principal Second Violin of the Sphinx Virtuosi. Her relationship with Sphinx started early on when she attended college with Afa S. Dworkin, Sphinx’s long-time Artistic Director who has been with the organization since its inception.
“Sphinx, in many ways, has affected the growth and trajectory of my career,” said Mettenbrink. “Getting to convene with Sphinx always feels like a homecoming for all of us and for me and creates a real sense of belonging in an industry that I oftentimes feel on the fringe of.”
Mettenbrink explains that the classical arts have a historical basis in this country as being for some and not for others. Growing up, she states that she was lucky to have Dr. William Jones as one of her teachers because he, as an African American musician, showed her what she could accomplish in her industry. In college, however, Mettenbrink says that she was suddenly faced with the reality that this is not how the industry looks much of the time and that she was the only person of color both in her studio and almost at her entire university.
“It felt really isolating and like I had to prove that I belonged or was good enough. I felt the strong need to dress appropriately, act a certain way, and I was always very conscious of the way I existed in that space as a young professional,” said Mettenbrink.
When she performed with the New World Symphony, Mettenbrink was grateful for the fact that there were five other people of color performing on stage. While this sounds like a small number, Mettenbrink notes that it is the largest number of people of color performing in an orchestra outside of Sphinx.
“This is what needs to change. We all have different life experiences, and it is important to share that with people on stage and not hide our differences from our colleagues. It is important for organizations to say, ‘I see you for who you truly are.’”
Emilia has recently taken on the role as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for the Minnesota Opera because she wanted to be part of changing the performing industry at large.
“Creating change was very important to me, especially being from Minneapolis. George Floyd was murdered just a block away from my mother’s house where I grew up. I knew this could have been one of my friends or my father, and I knew I couldn’t just be upset or sit on the sidelines, I had to do something about it,” said Mettenbrink.
In addition to seeing people for who they authentically are, Mettenbrink believes that fostering connections with other individuals from diverse backgrounds is one effective way to make a difference. She is excited to join the Jacksonville Symphony in January because she knows musicians who also performed with the New World Symphony, and she also has the opportunity to meet new people.
Mettenbrink explains that no matter where she travels to, playing music is a barrier breaker because it is a universal language.
“Overall, from the start of my career to now, music has helped me learn how to communicate to myself as well as to others. I learned how to give voice to emotions that I could not articulate through words. It has brought me friendship, to countries around the world and has connected me to people from so many walks of life. It has given me a way to feel complete,” said Mettenbrink.
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Behind the Baton
Q&A with New JSYO Music Director and Assistant Conductor Grant O’Brien
Tell us about yourself, your background in music and any exciting events you have recently been a part of.
“I grew up in Houston, Texas, with a single mom and two brothers with very little money. My earliest methods for finding community and comfort were singing in church and performing in community musicals. In high school, I loved playing drums, singing and playing guitar in Rock bands. I also loved watching films and listening to film soundtracks. Fantasia was actually my first introduction to orchestral music. That eventually brought me into the classical world where I picked up the trombone then tuba to play in wind ensembles, marching bands and orchestras. Eventually, during my time at Eastman School of Music, I grew a passion for conducting and producing concerts. I found myself conducting for and later running a small non-profit called Empire Film and Media, an artistic collective that produces multi-media performances of film and media music in the Rochester, New York, area. I came back to Eastman for a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting and studied with Professor Neil Varon.
The last major performance I did at Eastman was an educational concert entitled Storytellers, which was a virtual young people’s concert that I produced and conducted. Storytellers featured the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and was designed to help children understand the various ways that composers tell stories using music. It was a monster project that I poured my soul into, and it became something I was truly proud of.” What are some of your goals as the new Music Director of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras (JSYO)?
“My goals are far reaching with this talented group of students. First and foremost, I want to give them opportunities to engage with music in a way that feels meaningful to them and to the surrounding community. Offering ways to connect the tradition of classical music to these students’ lives will be incredibly important in building up a culture of excitement and respect for this art form.
“I grew up in Houston, Texas, with a single mom and two brothers with very little money. My earliest methods for finding community and comfort were singing in church and performing in community musicals. In high school, I loved playing drums, singing and playing guitar in Rock bands. I also loved watching films and listening to film soundtracks. Fantasia was actually my first introduction to orchestral music. That eventually brought me into the classical world where I picked up the trombone then tuba to play in wind ensembles, marching bands and orchestras. Eventually, during my time at Eastman School of Music, I grew a passion for conducting and producing concerts. I found myself conducting for and later running a small non-profit called Empire Film and Media, an artistic collective that produces multi-media performances of film and media music in the Rochester, New York, area. I came back to Eastman for a master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting and studied with Professor Neil Varon.
The last major performance I did at Eastman was an educational concert entitled Storytellers, which was a virtual young people’s concert that I produced and conducted. Storytellers featured the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and was designed to help children understand the various ways that composers tell stories using music. It was a monster project that I poured my soul into, and it became something I was truly proud of.” What are some of your goals as the new Music Director of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras (JSYO)?
“My goals are far reaching with this talented group of students. First and foremost, I want to give them opportunities to engage with music in a way that feels meaningful to them and to the surrounding community. Offering ways to connect the tradition of classical music to these students’ lives will be incredibly important in building up a culture of excitement and respect for this art form.
There will also be students in the orchestra who want to pursue a career in music, and for them, I want to ensure that they have developed the early technical and social skills necessary to thrive in a collegiate musical environment.
I also intend to expand the repertoire to give students a well-rounded perspective of how orchestral music has evolved over the course of history. This will certainly include the programming of historically disenfranchised populations.”
What excites you the most about working with the JSYO groups?
“There are so many new ways of performing concert music that break from the traditional mold while building on the amazing history of this program. I see my new role with the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras as a great space to provide these students with fresh and exciting ways to perform in an orchestral setting. Utilizing projection, other engineered sounds and programming thematically are examples of ways that I intend to broaden the traditional orchestral concert. I also studied a lot of music education and pedagogy during my master's program, and I’m excited to use that information. There are a lot of studies on motivation and linking things to what students see as important so as to create that excitement. I’m excited to introduce healthy approaches to music making and methods for overall student well-being.”
What is your personal mission as a musician and conductor?
“Early on, I found a lot of comfort and joy in performing and listening to music with others. My life was quite unstable growing up and having a home in music was something that brought me so much joy. I found that the more I performed and wrote music, the better my life became. When I sought out opportunities to actually program and produce concerts, I found that I could provide excitement, comfort, relief and community for the people who attended my performances. There’s an incredibly spiritual environment that concerts can conjure that brings people together and makes a real difference in their lives. These elements gave me a real mission in my pursuit of musical performance: to use my work as a conductor to give audiences and musicians a much-needed sense of connection to the people and world around them.”
Who are some of your favorite composers, and what are your favorite pieces?
“As you would expect, this is a very difficult question to answer as I have such a broad spectrum of interest when it comes to music. I really enjoy contemporary music, so I’ve found a lot of Philip Glass’ piano music to be particularly beautiful. I am also a big fan of Chris Cerrone. He has a concerto grosso called “High Windows” that I find incredibly powerful. I also love anything composed by Jessie Montgomery. . In terms of orchestral repertoire, I gravitate toward tone poems and anything programmatic, so Richard Strauss, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov are the first composers who come to mind. I also love anything by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. His 6th Symphony is one of my all-time cherished works. Aaron Copland is another composer at the very top of my list. I’m particularly excited for the Symphony’s 2022/23 season since I will be able to experience works from nearly all of these composers. I am also a big fan of Pop music. Kendrick Lamar, Gabriel Kahane, Childish Gambino, The Strokes, Anderson Paak, The Punch Brothers and Hiatus Kaiyote are a few of my present-day favorites.”
What are some other fun facts about you?
“I have a twin brother named Conner who lives in Los Angeles. I also love arranging, recording, performing and editing Pop song videos!”
What excites you the most about working with the JSYO groups?
“There are so many new ways of performing concert music that break from the traditional mold while building on the amazing history of this program. I see my new role with the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras as a great space to provide these students with fresh and exciting ways to perform in an orchestral setting. Utilizing projection, other engineered sounds and programming thematically are examples of ways that I intend to broaden the traditional orchestral concert. I also studied a lot of music education and pedagogy during my master's program, and I’m excited to use that information. There are a lot of studies on motivation and linking things to what students see as important so as to create that excitement. I’m excited to introduce healthy approaches to music making and methods for overall student well-being.”
What is your personal mission as a musician and conductor?
“Early on, I found a lot of comfort and joy in performing and listening to music with others. My life was quite unstable growing up and having a home in music was something that brought me so much joy. I found that the more I performed and wrote music, the better my life became. When I sought out opportunities to actually program and produce concerts, I found that I could provide excitement, comfort, relief and community for the people who attended my performances. There’s an incredibly spiritual environment that concerts can conjure that brings people together and makes a real difference in their lives. These elements gave me a real mission in my pursuit of musical performance: to use my work as a conductor to give audiences and musicians a much-needed sense of connection to the people and world around them.”
Who are some of your favorite composers, and what are your favorite pieces?
“As you would expect, this is a very difficult question to answer as I have such a broad spectrum of interest when it comes to music. I really enjoy contemporary music, so I’ve found a lot of Philip Glass’ piano music to be particularly beautiful. I am also a big fan of Chris Cerrone. He has a concerto grosso called “High Windows” that I find incredibly powerful. I also love anything composed by Jessie Montgomery. . In terms of orchestral repertoire, I gravitate toward tone poems and anything programmatic, so Richard Strauss, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov are the first composers who come to mind. I also love anything by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. His 6th Symphony is one of my all-time cherished works. Aaron Copland is another composer at the very top of my list. I’m particularly excited for the Symphony’s 2022/23 season since I will be able to experience works from nearly all of these composers. I am also a big fan of Pop music. Kendrick Lamar, Gabriel Kahane, Childish Gambino, The Strokes, Anderson Paak, The Punch Brothers and Hiatus Kaiyote are a few of my present-day favorites.”
What are some other fun facts about you?
“I have a twin brother named Conner who lives in Los Angeles. I also love arranging, recording, performing and editing Pop song videos!”
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