Mr. Speaker, Nashville has long been known as Music City. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry, the best place anywhere to hear the stars of country and bluegrass perform. Nashville is also the place to head if you want to kick back at a lively spot like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge for a night of sad songs and good times.

Now, Nashville has another reason to claim the title of Music City. It is home to a new symphony hall that is being heralded as a world class triumph. According to the Wall Street Journal, "the $123 million, 1,860-seat concert hall is an architectural and acoustic gem and one of the most successful auditoriums built in a century.''

Nashville's new Schermerhorn Symphony Center opened September 9th to great reviews from the media and the community. Praised for its elegant neoclassical design and its superb acoustics, the project also won fans because it was on budget and on time. But Nashville is truly proud of our new hall because it recognizes the extraordinary talent and dedication of a gentleman who led the Nashville Symphony for more than 20 years, Maestro Kenneth Schermerhorn. Under his leadership, the Nashville Symphony was transformed from an orchestra that too often struggled for funding and stability into one now recognized as among the best in the nation. And, equally important, Nashville became a city that celebrates music in all its genres. In keeping with the tone set by Maestro Schermerhorn, the new symphony hall will present performances that showcase music from classical to pops, cabaret, choral, jazz, and blues and yes, even a country tune or two.

On Saturday, October 7th, the spirit of Maestro Schermerhorn will fill downtown Nashville. On this day, the new symphony hall that bears his name will open its doors to one and all for a day-long celebration of music and culture in true Music City style. On this one day, more than 600 musicians from the region will bring their talents to the stages and courtyards and many performance spaces that are part of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The Nashville Symphony will share the spotlight with the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the Belmont Bluegrass Ensemble, the Gypsy Hombres, Annie Selleck and the Tennessee State University Band, among others. Come early and stay all day. Whatever style of music you prefer, you will find it celebrated here at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and that is just the way the Maestro envisioned it.

Saturday, October 7th will be a special day in Nashville. But in our city, and at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, we are proud to say every day is special because every day we celebrate what it means to be Music City.

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Jim Cooper
Member of Congress