MURFREESBORO, TN – On Thursday night (12/4/2025), while a cold rain mixed with a hint of sleet chilled Murfreesboro on the outsideand, inside Belle Aire Baptist Church the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus warmed the hearts with the spirit of Christmas. The sanctuary was packed—balcony and all—as longtime music educator and award‑winning conductor Terry Jolley led the “Sleigh Ride Spectacular.” From the crack of the whip to the neigh of horses, the first half of the evening carried listeners across snowy soundscapes from Russia to Europe and back home to the USA.
A Surprise from Dr. Laurence Harvin
Then came a moment that felt like history stepping back on stage. Dr. Laurence Harvin, the symphony’s founder and original conductor, was spotted in the audience. Slim and spry, he was invited forward to take the baton. His lively tempo drew cheers and a standing ovation, stirring memories of the orchestra’s early days…