The Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony Orchestra, the Department of Music and the Lyceum Series took over Humphrey Coliseum to put on a deeply immersive musical experience featuring John Paul White Friday night. The four-time Grammy Award winner, former member of The Civil Wars and long-time touring partner with Adele took to the stage within the coliseum to perform several of his songs accompanied by the Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra.
Julia Pratt, coordinator for programs in the Center for Student Activities and director of the Lyceum Series, said the event started as an idea brought forth by Daniel Stevens, head of the MSU music department and conductor for the evening. According to Pratt, Stevens had worked on similar events in other places and was determined to recreate that same magic when he came to MSU. Stevens has worked with White on similar collaborative concerts, and White seemed a perfect fit for what Stevens was trying to accomplish.
“White’s lyrical style and genre-bending sound mesh well with the traditional and classical accompaniment that will be present at this show. We also are thrilled to highlight the great work of the Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra, which is made up of dozens of talented musicians based right here in Starkville, including MSU faculty, staff and students,” Pratt said. “Separately, White and the Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra could put on great shows, but together, they can put on an unforgettable one.”
The doors opened at 6:30 p.m., and the orchestra began an hour later, pulling out an opening number that seemed fitting for a James Bond spy thriller. White joined the stage at the number’s closing before beginning an opening number of his own, “I Wish I Could Write You a Song.” The beginning of his set was marked by bright, color-changing lights sweeping across the stage and crowd, dual fog machines casting a moody haze in the air and an enraptured audience.
White could not contain his excitement towards the event, making quick remarks between songs such as “This is surreal” and “How is this, huh?”
He seemed as equally taken by the orchestra behind him as he was with the event itself, quipping that he might have to take them along for his next tour.
“I am in awe of [the orchestra’s] talent,” White said. “Not to say anything about the other orchestras, but they are the most generous group of people we have ever worked with.”
The orchestra also seemed swept up in the fantasy of the event. Alexander Nowell is a senior music education major and tuba player who began performing with the Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra earlier this year. This being his second performance with the orchestra, Nowell remarked on the artistry behind such an event and just how good it feels to see that hard work come to life.
“I love being able to connect to the composer and to the audience. We interpret the composer’s piece and try to communicate it to the audience, and yet all three interpretations are unique to the individual, which I think is incredible,” Nowell said. “[The White] performance was great. I loved the chance to work together with the orchestra and the band and put it together. It went well lining everything up and sounded good.”
Despite the overwhelming praise towards White, the artist did dub himself “the most self-deprecating, loathing artist you will ever meet,” joking that “the idea that they wanted to play with me made no sense, whatsoever.”
While it may not have made sense to White, the choice to have him perform quickly proved itself to the audience. Personal standout songs included “Barton Hollow” and “Safe & Sound,” a collaboration between The Civil Wars and Taylor Swift for “The Hunger Games” soundtrack. The performance was preceded by a remark from White about how Swift was probably jealous that he was in Starkville.
“I bet she is wishing she was here,” White said. “That is for Taylor, wherever she is.”
White ended the event with an aptly titled song, “My Dreams Have All Come True,” before gathering his bandmates for a final bow as they received a standing ovation, closing out an exemplary model of what the Lyceum Series is all about.
The next Lyceum Series event will be on Nov. 21 in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium and will focus on Collage Dance Company, a Black-led ballet troupe from Memphis, Tenn. All Lyceum Series events are free to MSU students.
