The Marshall Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestro Leonard Kacenjar will present a concert Monday, Nov, 16, featuring cellist Ruth Drummond, The Texas Strings and Emily Williams, composer and guest conductor. They will perform at Ornellas Spiritual Life Center, Baker Auditorium, on the East Texas Baptist University campus.

The concert will be dedicated to the memory of Madeleine Hall.

The composer and guest conductor, Miss Williams, is a 14-year-old violinist and home schooled student, who was born with complete hearing loss of her left ear. She began playing the violin in Nevada when she was 4 years old. At age 7, her family moved to Texas where she began studying with Archie Jones (a cellist in the Marshall Symphony). After hearing bluegrass music, Miss Williams wanted to try to play the fiddle and has spent the last three years studying that style at the Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp in Nashville. She continues to study classical violin with Emily Nicholson.

Her performing experience is extensive having performed in the Tyler Youth Orchestra, the Tyler Academic Orchestra, frequently as concertmaster, the East Texas All-Region Orchestra and the Cool Springs Orchestra. She participated twice in the East Texas Symphony's "side-by-side" program, and was placed in the first violin section. She has participated twice in the Marshall Symphony's Texas String Festival and plays with her church worship team. As a fiddle player, she has performed at the Fresh Farmers Market, the Edom Art Festival and the Gladewater Opry. She plays with various bluegrass groups.

As a pianist, Miss Williams has participated in many music festivals and received the Achievement Audition Trophy in 2007. She earned theory medals from the East Texas Music Teacher's Association.

Miss Williams started composing arrangements of hymns and other pieces age 12. Her first piece, "Poco a Poco," was performed by the Tyler Academic Orchestra and is being performed in this concert by the Marshall Symphony. She will be guest conductor for this piece.

Miss Williams' interest in conducting began in 2008 and conducting her own piece with the Marshall Symphony Orchestra is a "dream come true." She thanks Maestro Kacenjar for giving her this opportunity and for all of his help and encouragement.

Born partially deaf, Emily wants to give God praise and honor, because she knows that it is through His amazing grace that she is able to enjoy playing and composing the music she loves. She wants to dedicate her performance to Him.

Free shuttle is provided for the concert from the parking lot south of Jenna Guest Music Building,

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $5 for students. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Call 903/935-2174 or 903-935-4484 for information and tickets.

This concert is funded in part by Marshall Regional Arts Council, Marshall Symphony League Marshall Texas Commission on the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts, Union Pacific, and the Armstrong Foundation.