Conduct your own concert at Irmo’s Okra Strut

SC Philharmonic: Conduct Us!

The South Carolina Philharmonic is looking for a new conductor. You.

From this fall through next spring, the 20-piece orchestra will set up at various festivals with a “Conduct us!” sign as it waits for brave passersby to take up the baton.

The “Conduct the Phil” program, funded by a grant from the Central Carolina Community Foundation, “is a fun way for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience what I am fortunate to experience every time I step in front of an ensemble,” Music Director Morihiko Nakahara said. “ It’s a great way to experience our music first-hand, outside the confines of the concert hall.”

The orchestra will assemble for six one-hour free concerts, beginning with the Okra Strut in Irmo on Sept. 25, where the musicians will begin playing a surprise tune to whatever tempo and volume the volunteer conductor sets. Music will include works such as Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Pachelbel’s Canon in D and the opening of Beethoven’s famed Fifth Symphony.

“If someone wants to make the fastest version there is of (a song), they can do it. And the orchestra will go with that,” Nakahara said.

(Pro tip: Make your movements faster or slower to change the tempo, smaller or bigger to change the volume.)

The Phil will also play at the State Fair, Orangeburg’s Festival of Roses, the Kershaw County Farmers Market and twice at the Soda City Farmers Market.

Conducting is something everyone should get the chance to try, Nakahara said. He first tried it in ninth grade. A shy only child, Nakahara said he enjoyed being able to communicate to the musicians without speaking. “Conducting was one arena where I didn’t feel this inhibition or shyness,” he said.

He could communicate in a language of facial expressions, physical gestures and movement, bringing each musician’s part together to create a unified sound.

And now you can too.

“It’s fine to just listen,” Nakahara said, “but you might as well take the baton.”

Adult Fingerpainting

Let your inner creative out at an artist-led painting session at Grapes and Gallery on Thursday.

For this session, bring a brightly colored Gerbera daisy to life — finger painting encouraged!

Get messy, get artsy, get a glass of wine. Painters are still welcome to bring food. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Must be 18 to paint and 21 to consume alcohol. To reserve a spot, call 803-728-1278 or visit grapesandgallery.com. 6 p.m., $35, 1113 Taylor Street. Registration closes two hours prior to session.

USC Summer Chorus performance

The University of South Carolina’s Summer Chorus II students will give a free concert at 4 p.m. Sunday. They will perform “The Lament for Beowulf,” by American composer Howard Hanson.

“It is haunting and beautiful and at times rhythmically exciting,” Director of Choral Studies Larry Wyatt said.

They will also perform “The Mass in A” by Cesar Franck. It features soloists and is accompanied by organ, harp and cello. Recital Room 206 at USC School of Music, 813 Assembly St. 803-777-5369.