Wow, really terrific— damned impressive!!
My wife said, “Reminds me of Copland.” And she loves Copland. Gorgeous middle movement. I'm allergic to anything resembling a drum set in a symphony orchestra, but I dealt with that in the third movement and still enjoyed it. Bravo Jeff, a real accomplishment both pragmatically and artistically.

David Royko, Chicago Tribune

 

Midkiff's “From the Blue Ridge” is a highly original and thoroughly welcome addition to the catalog great American works for orchestra. I have rarely encountered a new work that inspired such rapturous praise from musicians and audiences from a single hearing. By turns toe-tapping, wistful, spiritual and downright fun, the concerto is colorfully scored and features the virtuosic talents of the composer as soloist. I look forward to introducing the work to audiences around the country.

Michael Butterman
Rochester Philharmonic
Orchestra conductor

 

 

 

I was proud to be a part of the triumph of the concert last night. What you did keeps the art of the orchestra alive and a vital force in the cultural life of the community. The combination of your mandolin virtuosity and your flair for the craft of creative composition should take you far. Your marriage of contemporary folk elements with the rich tradition of the western European orchestra is masterful and original. You've invented something new, and done it very well.
   Here's hoping that this is only the first installment of a new direction of classical music. Just think of the long and distinguished list of great composers who elevated folk elements into great art!
Wallace Easter
Associate Professor
Department of Music
Virginia Tech

Upcoming Performances
Mandolin Concerto, “From the Blue Ridge” unless noted.

March 25, 2023
Selections from Mandolin Concerto, “From the Blue Ridge”
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
Aram Demirjian, Music Director
2023 Symphony Ball “Appalachian Spring”

July 23, 2023
Mandolin Concerto, “From the Blue Ridge”
Tanglewood Music Festival
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Wilkins, Conductor

 

Previous Performances
Mandolin Concerto, “From the Blue Ridge” unless noted.

Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023: 
“Mandolin Quintet No. 2”
Knoxville Symphony Chamber Classics Series
Knoxville, TN 
Aram Demirjian, Music Director

Oct. 14 and 15, 2022: 
Mandolin Concerto, “From the Blue Ridge”
Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
Lancaster, PA 
Michael Butterman, Music Director and Conductor

September 28, 2019:
Mandolin Concerto, “From the Blue Ridge”
Signature Symphony at TCC,
Andrés Franco, Music Director and Conductor, Tulsa, OK

July 5, 6, and 7, 2019, 7:30 pm:
Mandolin Concerto, “From the Blue Ridge”
Concerts in the Barn with the Carpe Diem String Quartet, Quilcene, WA

Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 7:30 pm:
Mandolin Concerto, “From the Blue Ridge”
Radford University Wind Ensemble,
Dr. R. Wayne Gallops, Conductor
Davis Performance Hall in the Covington Center
Radford University, Radford, Virginia

February 9, 2019:
Carmel Symphony Orchestra in Carmel, IN
Janna Hymes, Music Director and Conductor

January 6, 2019:
Quintet No. 2 for Mandolin and Strings “Gypsy”
with the Carpe Diem String Quartet
Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York

October 27, 2018:
Quintet No. 2 for Mandolin and Strings “Gypsy”
with the Carpe Diem String Quartet
Vinton War Memorial, Vinton, VA

April 13, 2018:
Yale Concert Band
in New Haven, CT
Thomas C. Duffy, Music Director and Conductor

December 3, 2017:
Cal Poly Symphony in San Luis Obispo, CA
David Arrivée, Music Director and Conductor

August 10, 2017:
Snake River Music Festival in Keystone, CO
Mandolin Quintet with Carpe Diem String Quartet

May 13, 2017:
South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Kermit Poling, Music Director and Conductor

May 21, 2017:
Virginia's Blue Ridge Music Festival
David Stewart Wiley, Music Director and Conductor

March 25 & 28, 2017:
Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael Butterman, Music Director and Conductor
at 2017 SHIFT Festival at Kennedy Center

February 25 & 26, 2017:
World premier of "Mandolin Quintet" by Carpe Diem String Quartet

October 15, 2016:
Ohio Northern Symphony
Travis Jürgens, Music Director and Conductor

November 17 & 18, 2016:
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
Aram Demirjian, Music Director and Conductor

April 18 & 19, 2016:
Williamsburg Symphonia
Janna Hymes, Music Director and Conductor
Williamsburg, Virginia

March 3, 4 & 5, 2016:
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
Michael Butterman, Conductor

May 22 & 24, 2015:
with Carpe Diem String Quartet

May 31, 2015:
Virginia's Blue Ridge Music Festival
David Stewart Wiley, Music Director and Conductor

March 6, 2015:
Champaign-Urbana Symphony
Stephen Alltop, Music Director and Conductor

September 20, 2014:
Symphony of Southeast Texas, Beaumont
Chelsea Tipton II, Music Director and Conductor

April 26, 2014:
Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael Butterman, Music Director and Conductor

November 2013:
Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
Jeffrey Rink, Music Director and Conductor

January 2013:
Williamsburg Symphonia
Janna Hymes, Music Director and Conductor
Williamsburg, Virginia

November 2012:
Shreveport Symphony Orchestra
Michael Butterman, Music Director and Conductor

June 2012:
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra,
Michael Butterman, Conductor

October 2011:
World Premier of Mandolin Concerto, “From the Blue Ridge”
Roanoke Symphony Orchestra,
David Stewart Wiley, Music Director and Conductor