Thanks for a great year!!

Well, Nexus just completed another great year of innovative programs all FREE to the Middle Tennessee community! We could not have done it without you. Many of you stepped forward to help us grow Nexus. Special thanks go out to Brentwood United Methodist Church, Lynn and Linda McGill, Mary & Jim Costner, Valleau & Robert Caruthers, our great soloists, composers & conductors and, of course, the incredibly talented musicians of Nexus who have freely given of their talents to make Nexus what it is. THANK YOU ALL!!

Nexus String Quartet to perform with singer Alex Maddox at the annual BUMC picnic

The Nexus String Quartet will perform with BUMC's own Alex Maddox as part of Brentwood United Methodist's annual August picnic. Bring the whole family for great food, fun and music!

It's Official, we're now a 501c3 non-profit!!

That's right, we just received our official confirmation that we are now a non-profit 501c3 corporation. What that means is we can now accept fulyl tax deductible donations from individuals and companies as well as apply for grants. Why not consider a fully tax deductible contribution to Nexus to help insure that Nexus can continue to showcase the great talent that exisits in our community?

All-American concert with Phillip Keveren a big hit!

The July Nexus Chapel Series concert featuring Brentwood's own composer/arranger/conductor/pianist Phillip Keveren and soloist Jeff Bailey was a huge hit. A crowd approaching 200 was treated to the String Quartet by Samuel Barber as well as the World Premier of Phillip Keveren's "American Letters" and a stirring performanace of "The Hollow Men" by Vincent Persichetti performed by Nashville Symphony Principal Trumpet Jeff Bailey. American Letters is a masterwork that is sure to make it into the standard "Americana" literature performed by American orchestras around the country. Nexus is honored to have had Phillip write this great work for us and have us perfrom the world premier! Look for more world premiers on upcoming Nexus concerts.

Nexus at the Schermerhorn a great success!

The Nexus Chamber Orchestra was honored to be featured in a concert as part of the "Day of Music" celebration at the Schermerhorn Symphony on Sunday May 22nd. If you missed this concert you missed out on an incredible performance by Nexus with guest soloist, Nashville Symphony principal cellist Anthony LaMarchina.  Playing to an enthusiastic crowd of around 1000 people, it was a great opportunity to show who we are to a wider audience. At the conclusion of our performance, we were rewarded with a prolonged standing ovation. A great afternoon!

Nexus at the Schermerhorn!

Nexus at the Schermerhorn! Nexus is honored to have been invited to perform at the fabulous Schermerhorn Symphony Center as part of the annual "Day of Music" event on May 22nd at 4:00. This concert is a repeat of our Music from the Movies concert featuring Nashville Symphony principal cellist and Nexus member Anthony LaMarchina as soloist. Come hear a GREAT concert performed by a GREAT chamber orchestra playing GREAT music in a GREAT hall!

Nexus Plays for Ned Ray McWherter funeral

The Nexus String Quartet was honored to be asked to perform this past weekend at the funeral services for former governor Ned Ray McWheter in his home town of Dresden, TN. Check out this link (http://www.wbir.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=899298204001) to see and hear some highlights from the service (including arrangements of the Tennessee Waltz and My Way by Chris McDonald).

Nexus String Quartet to perform at Taste of Hohenwald

The Nexus Chamber Orchestra String Quartet returns for its' 3rd annual concert at the Strand Theater in Hohenwald, TN as part of the "Taste of Hohenwald" festival.  For details on the Taste of Hohenwald fesitval, please visit the website of the Strand Theater at http://www.hohenwaldstrand.com/ .

Nexus completes Children's Concert Series

The Nexus Chamber Orchestra String Quartet just completed a series of 3 innovative and well received Children's Concerts in Williamson County libraries.  Concerts were presented the Nolensville, Fairview and Franklin libraries and were sponsored by the Williamson County library.  Theme for the concerts were "Catch the Beat", a fun look at rhythm and beats in music.  A fun (and educational) time was had by all.  If you would like to learn more about Nexus' educational outreach programs, please call or email us for more information.

February Nexus concert has huge turnout

Momentum is growing for the Nexus Chamber Orchestra!  Our concert yesterday featuring John Mock was our largest attended yet with more than 225 people in attendance.  Come see for yourself what all the excitement is about!

We lost one of our biggest supporters today

We were saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Janice Keck, the head of the Williamson County Cultural Arts Commission. She was also a board member for Nexus and our #1 fan. Janice went the extra mile for Nexus and was able to obtain funding for 4 library concerts. We will miss her as an art advocate and as a friend. Nexus and the entire Willimason County arts community will miss her greatly.  RIP, Janice

Classical concerts catch on in Brentwood

Nexus performance includes Celtic music, images
5:31 PM, Feb. 18, 2011
Written by Vicky Travis

BRENTWOOD — The Brentwood-based Nexus Chamber Orchestra features local musician John Mock at its free concert at 4 p.m. today at the Brentwood United Methodist Church's chapel.

Mock's photos from his travels to coastal areas of Ireland and Scotland will run in a slideshow while he and the strings orchestra play his original Celtic-flavored compositions. Mock also plays the concertina, penny whistle and mandolin. Mock will tell anecdotes about his photos during the hour-long concert, which will be followed by a meet-and-greet with the musicians.

"On a Sunday afternoon, it's perfect," said violinist Cathy Umstead, who along with her husband, Alan, founded the orchestra last summer.

The orchestra is made up of full-time musicians who make their living in the studio. Some play in the Nashville Symphony. But, they come together once a month to give a free concert at BUMC.
Last summer, the Umstead’s and their associates created the orchestra as an outlet. "We're all classically trained, and no one got to hear us," she said. "It was a great opportunity for us to get out of studios and play concerts."

BUMC, the Umsteads' church, offered the chapel as a venue. The group didn't expect many at its first concert last June, but were surprised when about 75 attended.

"It's catching on like wildfire," said Umstead. "Every month it's grown."

The group will give free interactive children's concerts at two libraries next month. A string trio will play at 1 p.m. March 5 at the Fairview Public Library and at 1 p.m. March 12 at the Nolensville Public Library.

These concerts, called Catch the Beat, are a little more instructional. "Kids get to get up there and join in," Umstead said. "It's a fun, instructional 45 minutes, and should appeal to all ages."

A quartet concert will be at 7 p.m. March 7 at the Williamson County Public Library in Franklin. The theme will be Dances through the Ages with demonstrations by professional ballroom dancers.

For more information, visit www.nexuschamberorchestra.org or search Nexus Chamber Orchestra on Facebook.

Contact Vicky Travis at vtravis@tennessean.com.

Nexus Concert with John Mock plays to standing-room-only crowd

The premier Nexus Chamber Orchestra preview concert at the Williamson County Library with musician/composer/photographer John Mock played to a full house tonight. The performers were rewarded with a prolonged standing ovation at the conclusion. Make sure to hear the complete concert February 20th at 4:00 at Brentwood United Methodist Church. You won't want to miss this concert. Many thanks to Williamson County Library's Janice Keck for securing funding for these concerts at the library!