In narrative, photographs, and documents, Bringing the World to Mississippi: The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, 1919-2010 delivers the definitive account of one of the state's most treasured musical institutions.

Brought to life are concerts with musical icons Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma, the unforgettable Night of a Thousand Trumpets with Doc Severinsen, the Independence Day concerts in the sweltering heat and often pouring rain of a Mississippi summer night, the spectacular Voice of the Century centennial concert with Renée Fleming, and many others.

Rebecca Smart Montague recounts the tale of the dark days following Hurricane Katrina, when Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker was replaced with the hilarious NOTcracker and the evening when almost ten thousand people wept as Plácido Domingo dedicated his opening aria to Pope John Paul II, who had died just hours before. These and many more tales, memories, and reflections are gathered together for the first time.

The book is a tribute to all the orchestra's conductors, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and current members. It is rich with their recollections. Appendices record the names of all those who made this music possible and include a full listing of the School of Music faculty and staff from 1912-2010, orchestra members past and present, a complete repertoire listing of symphony concerts since 1988, and a complete listing of opera and musical productions from 1948 through 2010.