Patron Michael Morlan Conducts Austin Civic Orchestra

On June 9th, crowds gathered at Zilker Hillside Theater for a free performance from the Austin Civic Orchestra. "The History of the March" was the subject of the evening. Verdi and Beethoven were on the program. There was even a bit of John Williams and his "Raiders of the Lost Ark" anthem. A guest conductor was also slated to appear. However, who the guest conductor was would not be known until the end of the performance.

Every spring, the ACO holds a raffle for the opportunity to conduct the orchestra during a performance of John Phillip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever." This year, proceeds from the raffle went to matching a donation generously made by AM Technical Solutions, Inc., for the Pearl Amster Youth Concerto Competition the ACO holds each spring.

On the evening of June 9th, the lucky concert-goer to hear his name called was Michael Morlan, a freelance cinematographer from Hyde Park. "I've always had a fantasy of conducting a symphony orchestra and, when it was announced ACO was holding a raffle to pick an audience member, I bought forty-eight tickets. I was so hopeful about winning that I actually snuck off during the performance to familiarize myself with the Sousa march by listening to a recording on my phone."

Mr. Morlan, who grew up playing the violin and recently began attending concerts after a 20-year hiatus from classical music, said he always regretted giving up the violin and nurtured a nostalgia for it over the years. "When the winning ticket was called,"he said, "I took a deep breath and told myself, 'I can do this. I've been ready to do this all my life.' When Dr. Ferrari (music director) handed me the baton, I was floating on air. I thanked the orchestra for allowing me to conduct them, raised the baton, tried to gauge the tempo against my racing heart, and delivered the down beat."

The raffle is just one of the many ways the Austin Civic Orchestra interacts with and engages audiences. "Our philosophy is that classical music concerts should be about more than just passive listening. We want to connect with the audience and allow them to participate in the music with us," says Dr. Ferrari.

"I really enjoy Dr. Ferrari's choice of programs and the all-volunteer community orchestra is comprised of a group of very accomplished musicians," says Mr. Morlan about the ACO. "I'd like to thank the performers for their graciousness in allowing me the privilege of conducting them. Standing on the podium was an amazing honor, a thrill, and a fulfillment of a lifelong fantasy."