Dear Music Lovers and Supporters, This week’s music offering is Over the Rainbow performed by the BSO String Orchestra at its second livestream concert on May 16, 2021, that was broadcast from the Carolina Ballroom at the Dataw Island Club. The recording is on YouTube: BSO Strings perform Over the Rainbow. The lyrics are by E.Y. Harburg, the music by Harold Arlen and the arrangement by Bob Phillips and Andy Beck. About the music, Maestro Fred Devyatkin writes, “Over the Rainbow, as conceived by Israel Kamakawiwowo’ole. The score asks the players to hold their violins and violas like ukes.”...

Dear Music Lovers and Supporters, This week’s music offering is a medley from the musical Chicago performed by the BSO String Orchestra at its second livestream concert on May 16, 2021, that was broadcast from the Carolina Ballroom at the Dataw Island Club. The recording is on YouTube: BSO Strings perform Chicago. The words are by Fred Ebb, the music by John Kander and the arrangement by Ted Ricketts. The medley includes “And All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” “Roxie” and “We Both Reached for the Gun.” About the music, Maestro Fred Devyatkin writes, “Chicago opened on Broadway in...

Dear Music Lovers and Supporters, This week’s music offering is Stand By Me from the BSO’s second livestream concert on May 16, 2021, that was broadcast from the Carolina Ballroom at the Dataw Island Club. The recording is on YouTube: BSO Strings perform Stand By Me. The words and music are by Ben E. King (with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller) and the arrangement is by Larry Moore. About the music, Maestro Fred Devyatkin writes, “The perfect sentiment for the COVID-19 challenges, this arrangement borrows heavily from the original string arrangement of the Ben E. King classic.” We appreciate all who can...