Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Mei-Ann Chen Present THE DREAM PROJECT Today

One of the most innovative classical orchestras in the country, the 61 year-old Memphis Symphony Orchestra is an arts organization whose mission is deepening through community engagement in order to greater serve its diverse, vibrant community, with a goal of enriching and transforming in a positive way through the power of music - exceptional, exciting music making and dynamic programming that responds to the community's needs and self-expression.

An integral part of the cultural, educational and economic life of Memphis, the mission of the symphony will be on public display this today, May 16, 2014 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, when the orchestra presents the world premiere performance of a commissioned symphonic work, Rebirth of the Dream, inspired by the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - part one of its new special community engagement initiative, The Dream Project.

The Rebirth of the Dream concert will be a celebration of the ideology and positive, inspirational messages of respect, equality and opportunity for all, regardless of cultural, socioeconomic background or genre promoted by Dr. King, Jr., and will mesh with the general concept of music as a universal language and art form which knows no boundaries. In accepting the commission, composer Paul Brantley has been challenged to address the Memphis community's need to revisit the impact of the MLK assassination. In this work for full orchestra and gospel chorus, Mr. Brantley says that he has "created a sequence of three movements -- Invocation, Meditation, and Affirmation -- that moves from an acknowledgement of the community's pain into a vision of hope and action -- very much inspired by the community's collective memory and imagination."

Tonight, May 16, 2014, at 7:30 pm the Memphis Symphony Orchestra with Mei-Ann Chen, conductor and music director, will perform at Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, Tennessee. Rebirth of the Dream concert will also include Gaylon Robinson, director, Michael Gandolfi: Fourth Chickasaw Variations (MSO 2012-13 season commission) Beethoven: Egmont Overture, Paul Brantley: Rebirth of the Dream world premiere, Accompanied by a community chorus in the gospel tradition, Dr. Leo H. Davis, Jr., director.

In order to lift up other organizations in the area that continue to work for racial reconciliation since the MLK assassination over 40 years ago and to strengthen its diverse audience base, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra has designated twelve non-profits that share a core mission with Rebirth of the Dream. They are being asked to become Dream Collaboratorswho will promote the concert to their grassroots constituencies. In addition, there will be town hall meetings at the main branch of the Memphis Public Library and Information Center, an official Community Supporter of the concert. This unprecedented collaboration demonstrates the deepening mission of the MSO to engage authentically in the community by bringing committed people together through music.

The Dream Project has its roots in a group of local women from all backgrounds, who call themselves Mei-Ann's Circle of Friends. The Circle was founded as a philanthropic endeavor, a community driven initiative, to honor the energy, enthusiasm and compelling music making of the symphony's current and fourth music director, Taiwanese conductor Mei-Ann Chen, who began her tenure in 2010. The idea of a project connecting back to the history of the city was chosen, and so the decision was made to focus on the work of a national, iconic figure who not only motivated the country and Memphis citizens, but whose assassination in Memphis has had long reaching effects on the city to this day as the traumatic event placed the city on a different trajectory that it had been on, and strongly impacted its civic evolution.

Music Director Mei-Ann Chen says of The Dream Project, "The Rebirth of the Dream concert tonight, May 16, 2014, is for me, a special gift that reflects the strength, diversity, and in part the history of the incredible community of Memphis. What is unique about the project is that it originated and continues to be inspired by members of our community. It is our sincere hope that this new commission project will have a positive impact on the city of Memphis in bringing the community closer together,as well as being a musical gift from Memphis to other cities around the country."