An Inside View

Last evening, Faith Presbyterian Church was filled to capacity with friends and family of Tom Mitchell, who passed away on Friday, February 22. Preceded by a one-hour visitation, the joyous service included congregational singing, readings and inspirational remembrances of Tom. The music included a prelude by brass quintet, and works for trombone quartet, performed by Prentiss Hobbs, David Loucky, Dan Drill and Harry Watters. Katherine Newman and I were honored to play flute and harp duets at the reception following.

This morning, I received a note from violist Sophia Burwell, herself a veteran HSO musician.

We’ll miss Tom. As another Alabama grad, I always checked with Tom on the progress of our favorite football team. He was so excited and honored to conduct the Million Dollar Band in the National Anthem at the Tennessee game. Tom was one of HSO mainstays through the years.

If you’d like to contribute a remembrance of Tom to this blog, please write to me directly. My address is evelyn “at” hso.org.

—Evelyn Loehrlein

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra lost a longtime faithful musician, and the community lost a dear friend when second trombonist Tom Mitchell passed away on Friday afternoon.

A member of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra for over twenty-five years, Tom’s enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism inspired his colleagues. He constantly reminded us that being a musician is a gift—and that our orchestra is a treasure.

Visitation is on Tuesday, February 26, at 6:00 p.m., followed by funeral services at 7:00 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Airport Road and Whitesburg Drive.

Here is the cover of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra’s 2007-2008 Program Book. This is simply a scan of a page from Carlos Miguel Prieto’s score of Manuel de Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain. Scott Panciera, our designer, did not add color or any other markings—this is how Carlos actually marks his scores. Scott is president of Panciera Design. For a laugh, don’t miss their homepage.

Our program book is featured on their site here.