Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra hums in waiting, but not for long. "Boomers at the Ballpark," a musical good-bye to summer, rockets the 63rd season into fruition on Sept. 8 at Smith-Wills Stadium. This family-friendly event features food, fireworks and Gershwin's famous "Rhapsody in Blue."

Solo percussionist Lisa Pegher begins MSO's Bravo series on Sept. 15 with a concert entitled "An Innovative Evening" that ignites more than rhythm. "It's a very unusual piece, very acrobatic," says Michael Beattie, president and executive director of MSO. "It's as much a 'watch' piece as something to be listened to."

And the energy of the season only intensifies.

"Every single one of the concerts (this season) has at least one famous piece, which makes each one very exciting," Beattie says, "and almost all have a young rising star as a guest performer."

On Nov. 16, the MSO Pops offers a tribute to music in film with "Amazing Adventures," a collection of scores with sound and video clips from popular adventure and fantasy films such as "Lord of the Rings" and "Indiana Jones."

Pops welcomes guest vocalist Steve Lippia on Feb. 9 to perform "Simply Sinatra." Lippia has performed in Las Vegas and with orchestras across the country. "It's not just the older generation that relates to Frank Sinatra," Beattie says. "You walk into Cups and hear Frank Sinatra."

For those interested in an intimate musical experience, the MSO Chamber series provides a smaller, more personal setting. This season the series showcases "Mozart by Candlelight" at Belhaven College, as well as "Treasures and Gems" at Tougaloo College, which features local baritone James Martin.

For more information on MSO's season, visit their Web site.