Rhapsody Newsletter - Cave Run Symphony Orchestra

Cave Run Rhapsody Newsletter

Welcome to Cave Run Rhapsody, the occasional newsletter of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra. Of the many definitions of rhapsody, we believe “an ecstatic expression of feeling or enthusiasm” best describes how we feel about orchestral music and why we love and support the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra.

CAVE RUN RHAPSODY

Vol. 2, No. 3, May/June 2026

Dr. Isaac Selya selected as new principal conductor in 10-month search

The search for a new principal conductor of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra ended May 11 with the announcement that Dr. Isaac Selya of Cincinnati had been appointed on a three-year contract starting July 1.

The new maestro conducted the final concert of the season on April 12 as the last of three finalists, each of whom was evaluated by the members of the orchestra and their audiences, in addition to the Orchestra’s Artistic Advisory Committee (AAC).

Selya succeeds Dr. Terry Durbin, the first principal conductor of the CRSO, who served as guest conductor at the Dec. 7 Hometown Holiday concert in what might have been his final appearance on the CRSO podium.

“We are pleased and excited to welcome Maestro Selya to the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra following a 10-month search process in which he emerged as the overwhelming choice of our audience and musicians,” said Board Chair Craig Burrows and AAC Chair Lori Baruth in a joint statement.

Selya said of his appointment:

“I so enjoyed working with the wonderful musicians of the Cave Run Symphony in my audition concert last month and now I am even more excited about this great opportunity to share music with the community going forward.”

CRSO presenting two performances in salute to 250th anniversary of America

Starting with its season-opening concert on Sunday, Nov. 8, the Cave Run Symphony will perform or sponsor two events as part of the local, statewide and national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.

The Nov. 8 concert will feature the works of American composers. A currently being-formed brass band will stage an outdoor concert on Main Street in Morehead on Saturday, June 27, at 7 p.m. in conjunction with Freedom Fest, the community observance of Independence Day.

The America250KY celebration will involve events throughout the rest of 2026. Locally, the CRSO is working with the Rowan County America250KY Committee. The committee is chaired by Jenny Frazier, communications director for the City of Morehead.

We welcome the opportunity to publish your comments and questions about the CRSO in this newsletter which appears online and in our concert programs. Please e-mail us at caverunsymphony@gmail.com.

Vol. 2, No. 2, March/April 2026

Guest conductor search tryouts conclude at April 12 concert

The search for a new principal conductor of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra will move into its final phase following the last concert of the season on Sunday, April 12, at 3 p.m. when finalist Dr. Isaac Selya of Cincinnati serves as guest conductor for “From Stage to Screen.”

It will be the concluding performance of the Orchestra’s 12th full season.

The search process for a replacement for Dr. Terry Durbin, the first principal conductor of the CRSO, is scheduled to end later this calendar year when the Artistic Advisory Committee makes its recommendation to the Board of Directors.

As was the case in two earlier concerts, audience members and orchestra musicians will be asked to evaluate Maestro Selya’s conducting skills and artistic qualities on a survey form after the April 12 performance. The other two finalists for the position are Kyle Elgarten of Miami, Fla., who conducted Oct. 26 and Dr. Joshua Shepherd of Kingsport, Tenn., who conducted Feb. 22.

CRSO joining nationwide salute to 250th anniversary of America at Oct. 25 concert

Details will be finalized over the next few months for the Orchestra’s 2026-27 concert season to kick off on Sunday, Oct. 25, with a concert themed as “America at 250” in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America by the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The celebration will involve events throughout the rest of 2026. Locally, the CRSO will be working closely with the Rowan County America250KY Committee. The committee is chaired by Jenny Frazier, communications director for the City of Morehead, and also includes representatives of the mayor of Morehead, MSU, Morehead City Council, Rowan County Schools, Camden-Carroll Library, Rowan County Public Library, Rowan County Arts Center, Rowan County Veterans Museum and the Rowan County Railroad and History Museum.

In addition to the Oct. 25 concert and depending on availability of musicians and funding, the Orchestra also may become involved in other musical events related to America250 on or about July 4.

Vol. 2, No. 1, January/February 2026
Principal Founders, Founding Conductor recognized by Board

Unofficially acknowledged since the Orchestra’s founding in 2013, the roles of Dr. Ewell Scott, Dr. Don Grant and Prof. Suanne Blair as Principal Founders and Dr. Terry Durbin as Principal Founding Conductor were recognized formally by the Board of Directors on Jan. 22 and will be commemorated publicly.

The CRSO was Dr. Scott’s brainchild and he worked tirelessly to raise money and enlist other lovers of orchestral music to help him bring our Orchestra to life. Joining him in key roles from the beginning were Dr. Grant and Prof. Blair of the Morehead State University music department administration and faculty, both of whom served with him for many years on the CRSO Board of Directors.

Prof. Blair continues her volunteer service to the Orchestra as a member of the Artistic Advisory Committee.

Dr. Edward Scott appointed to the Board of Directors

Dr. Edward Scott of Morehead, younger brother and former colleague of the late Dr. Ewell Scott, was appointed to fill his unexpired term on the Board of Directors which ends June 30, 2027.

Ed and Ann Scott have been generous financial supporters of the Symphony since its establishment in 2013. He is a retired physician.

Conductor search resumes at Feb. 22 Concert

The search for a new principal conductor of the Symphony will resume Sunday, Feb. 22, at our third concert of the Orchestra’s 12th full season.

Themed as “Tutu Terrific”, the 3 p.m. performance will be conducted by another finalist in the search, Joshua Shepherd of Nashville, Tenn.

Gift acknowledgement letters for 2025 mailed in January

Official acknowledgements from the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra of all private gifts received in Calendar Year 2025 have been mailed to donors. The CRSO is tax exempt under Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If you gave last year and haven’t received a letter, please contact us at 606-784-9894 or via e-mail at caverunsymphony@gmail.com.

Vol. 1, No. 3, November/December 2025

Deaths of principal founder, key donor bring sadness

Two irreplaceable friends of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra were lost to us in November with the deaths of Dr. Ewell G. Scott, 85, principal founder, and Paul W. Blair, 84, generous founding donor and legal advisor.

The CRSO was Dr. Scott’s brainchild in 2013 and he worked tirelessly to raise money and enlist other lovers of orchestral music to help him bring our Orchestra to life. Joining him in key roles from the beginning were Dr. Don Grant and Suanne Blair of the Morehead State University music department administration and faculty, both of whom served with him for many years on the CRSO Board of Directors.

Paul Blair, a respected, experienced Morehead attorney, stepped up with timely, free legal assistance in the Orchestra’s successful application earlier this year for federal tax exempt status under Chapter 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

He and his wife, Suanne, a retired cello professor, consistently have been the Orchestra’s most generous individual financial supporters. Suanne continues her volunteer service to the Orchestra as a member of the Artistic Advisory Committee.

Family members have encouraged gifts to the Symphony in memory of either or both men at PO Box 441, Morehead, KY 40351.

First conductor tryout finished; search pauses until Feb. 22 concert

The innovative search for a new principal conductor of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra opened its tryout phase at the season-opening concert on Sunday, Oct. 26. Kyle Elgarten of Miami, Fla., was the guest conductor.

The search is paused until the third concert of the season on Sunday, Feb. 22, themed as “Tutu Terrific.” The second finalist in the conductor search, Joshua Shepherd of Nashville, Tenn., will be the guest conductor.

Meanwhile, the Symphony’s 12th season continues with the traditional Hometown Holiday performance on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. at the Morehead Conference Center.

Conducting will be Maestro Terry Durbin, who stepped down last summer after six seasons as the Orchestra’s principal conductor.

Vol. 1, No. 2, September–October 2025

Conductor search underway and you can help!

Maestro Terry Durbin, our principal conductor for the last six years, informed the Artistic Advisory Committee (AAC) and Board of Directors that personal health issues had forced him to reduce his activities in this concert season. However, he is scheduled to conduct the Hometown Holiday concert here on Dec. 7.

Dr. Lori Baruth, AAC chair, later announced that guest conductors for the other three concerts will be the finalists in the principal conductor search and that audience members and Orchestra members will be asked to help evaluate each candidate after the performances. Under CRSO bylaws, the AAC is responsible for orchestra programming and music personnel.

Board membership changes; Burrows reelected chair

As of Sept. 4, the Board of Directors welcomed three new members – Dr. Pamela Clark, Mark Perkins and Wes Holland – and reappointed Dr. Craig Burrows, Bill Shely and Monti Lloyd to new, three-year terms.

“We sincerely appreciate the volunteer service given by Dr. Don Grant, Dr. Yvonne Baldwin and Dr. Mark Minor and by others who preceded them on the board since we started in 2013,” said Dr. Burrows, newly-reelected board chair.

In other action at the membership meeting, Dr. Thomas Pappas and Ms. Lloyd also were reelected as treasurer and secretary, respectively, and Bill Shely joined them as vice chair.

Optimists step up for kids with $1,500 grant

The Morehead Optimist Club awarded us a grant of $1,500 in support of our free concert admission policy for students and children in the new season. We also are seeking operating grants from other funding sources to help maintain our special status as the smallest city and county in Kentucky with their own community-supported symphony orchestra.

Vol. 1, No. 1, July–August 2025

Conductor switch pending; Search underway

Maestro Terry Durbin, our resident conductor for the last seven years, has informed the Artistic Advisory Committee (AAC) and the Board of Directors that personal health issues have forced him to reduce his activities in the upcoming concert season of 2025–26.

Dr. Lori Baruth, AAC chair, says Dr. Durbin has been invited to conduct the Hometown Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 7, but conductors for the three remaining concerts have not been selected. Under CRSO bylaws, the AAC is responsible for selecting our conductors.

Board membership changing

As of July 1, three members of the Board of Directors had either left the board or indicated they plan to do so very soon. Dr. Don Grant, one of the principal founders of the Orchestra, retired from his seat in June. Because of other obligations, Dr. Yvonne Baldwin declined to be considered for reappointment when her term expired June 30. Dr. Mark Minor, board vice chair, is retiring from his board seat effective Sept. 4.

“We sincerely appreciate the volunteer service given by these three individuals and others who preceded them on the board since we started in 2013,” said Dr. Craig Burrows, board chair.

Replacements for departing members will be appointed at the Orchestra’s annual membership meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Optimists step up for kids; Federal grant prospects dim

The Morehead Optimist Club has awarded us a grant of $1,500 in support of our free concert admission policy for students and children in the upcoming season. Also, we are seeking operating grant support from the Kentucky Arts Council, which is financing a statewide summer concert tour of the Louisville Orchestra.

Our endowment, from which we received $1,699 in interest earnings last year, now stands at $62,848. It is managed by the Blue Grass Community Foundation in Lexington and is growing, thanks mainly to the Endow Kentucky Tax Credit. Please ask Wes Holland or another financial advisor how you and the CRSO can benefit together when you make an endowment gift to your orchestra.

We were in the process of applying for a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) when it was announced that federal agency was canceling grants already awarded this year in response to the Trump Administration’s plans to dismantle NEA and several other independent federal grantmaking entities.

We welcome the opportunity to publish your comments and questions about the CRSO in this online newsletter. Please e-mail us at caverunsymphony@gmail.com.

July 8th, 2025|