(upbeat music) - As part of its 50th anniversary season, Murray Symphony presents Braveship, a new concert suite by composer Matt Cook, artistic director Michelle Willis is here to give us a look at what makes this performance special.

Hi Michelle.

Thank you for being here.

So you're celebrating 50 big years.

That's a big step.

- It is.

- Yeah.

So tell me about Matt Cook and his Braveship.

- So, Braveship is a symphonic suite, and it's actually, he wrote a book for it, which hasn't been published yet, but it's 70 minutes of music.

It's basically like watching a movie.

So it's a full movie soundtrack, but without the movie.

And he has narrator and illustrations to go with it, and it's meant to just take the listener on a journey of a 12-year-old boy who goes on an adventure with some friends to try to save his world.

- Oh wow.

And it's all done musically.

- Yes.

- Sounds like he's hoping there will be a movie down the line.

(group laughing) - You never know.

- Okay, so tell us a little bit about him.

- So he is from Los Angeles and he does, he actually has his PhD in economics, but he is a fantastic composer.

He loves movie music and he pulls all the best elements of movie music into his work.

And he's also a pilot and a magician, and he does all sorts of things in a world traveler.

He's the most amazing person and one of the kindest people I've ever met.

- Oh wow.

Okay.

And so how did you connect with him?

- So he sent an email out probably to several symphony orchestras, but when I read about what he had, I was so curious because as a conductor, I love to be able to tell stories to audiences.

I think it's very powerful.

So I reached out and that was a year and a half ago, and here we are.

- And he's coming to see it?

- Yes.

- Oh, wow.

This is pretty impressive.

I'm glad you're bringing it and tell me a little about your orchestra.

- So we started in 1975 in the holiday area and then have just grown and we have over 70 members and we love to have concerts and invite the patrons to come and join us.

- Wonderful.

Sounds fascinating.

And thank you so much for being here.

- Thank you.

- And if you'd like to know more about that upcoming production of Murray Symphony Braveship by Matt Cook, It's October 24th and 25th at Hillcrest Junior High.

Go to murraysymphony.org.

I'm Mary Dickson.

Thanks for watching "Contact."

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