“I've heard our musicians play far better than they thought they could play, and probably far better than they think they have the right to play.”
Les Marsden, Conductor of the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra
Small Town, Big Sound
The folks in Mariposa, California have a bone to pick. A recent documentary claimed that Susanville, California—their neighbor to the north—is America’s smallest town with an orchestra. But Mariposa (population 1,438) is 10 times smaller than Susanville, and it’s been sporting an orchestra for 10 years—thank you very much. The 50 musicians meet once or twice a week to practice at the local high school and perform five concerts each season. They tackle tough compositions, like Dvorák’s Concerto for Violincello No. 2 in B Minor, but play pieces by local composers, too. Some of the members are retired musicians and for some this is the first time they’ve played in an orchestra, but for all they make beautiful music.
Music Hall-elujah
Tucked away on a mountainside in central West Virginia is a music hall masterpiece. It’s solid wood, it seats 150, and from April through October it’s filled with the sounds of bluegrass, gospel, folk, and country music. The hall is in its ninth season, and it attracts musicians and music aficionados from miles around who love the intimate setting and great acoustics. Amount of time it took to build: 10 years. Ticket price: 5 bucks for adults, 3 bucks for kids. Experience: Priceless.
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