October 3, 2023
Pearl River Community College welcomed the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) back to the stage at Pearl River Community College. Before their annual performance, supporters gathered inside the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts for a special 10th Anniversary celebration including the Fine Arts Hall of Fame induction of Mr. Dale Beech and Mr. Thomas Bridge.
Prior to the concert, attendees were welcomed with a lovely reception spread in the lobby celebrating both the Fine Arts Hall of Fame inductees and the 10th Anniversary of the Brownstone. Biographical information about each honoree was given at the start of the evening’s concert with images placed on the screens flanking the stage.
“Last night we marked a milestone for the Brownstone Center by celebrating the 10-year anniversary and inducting two new members to the Fine Arts and Communications Hall of Fame, Mr. Thomas Bridge and Mr. Dale Beech,” said Dr. Trevor Hunt, Fine Arts and Communications Department Chair and Director of the Brownstone Center for the Arts. “The Brownstone Center is a cultural touchstone, where communities converge, traditions are celebrated, and legacy is created.
“The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra was the opening concert of the first season in 2013, so we thought it fitting to commemorate our journey and celebrate the Hall of Fame during this event. The MSO gave a spectacular performance with a great variety of music that everyone could connect with and enjoy.”
The music for the MSO concert covered several movie scores and selections recognizable to many from their use in commercials and shows.
After the rousing Liberty Fanfare by John Williams, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Crafton Beck turned to the audience, encouraging them to sing along with the National Anthem. As the audience stood, you could hear the words sung while the orchestra played.
From the almost serene melody of Alfie to the lively tunes from Grease, concertgoers had a memorable experience. Other selections performed included highlights from Wicked, a suite of music from the film Far and Away, and tunes from Apollo 13, Superman, Game of Thrones, 007 love themes, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. The evening concluded with a rambunctious Stars and Stripes Forever.
2022 FINE ARTS HALL OF FAME RECIPIENTS
Dale Beech’s journey through education and music is a testament to his dedication to the arts. He began his academic career at Pearl River Community College, actively participating in various performing ensembles and even working as a work-study in the Fine Arts & Communications Department. After obtaining his associate’s degree in 2011, he continued his pursuit of musical excellence at the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 2013.
“I value being very involved in performing ensembles with no conflicts,” said Beech. “I can tell that the entire Fine Arts Staff is on one team, and they want what’s best for the student as an individual. Each teacher went out of their way to ensure I was thriving in their area.”
Dale’s thirst for knowledge and passion for music led him to the University of Mississippi, where he achieved a double Master of Music in Choral Conducting & Music Education in 2016. His commitment to education is evident in his teaching career, which began as the assistant choral director at Starkville High School in 2016 before moving to Hernando High School, where he has been since 2017. Dale co-teaches both middle and high school ensembles at Hernando, consistently achieving superior ratings at choral festivals and competitions. His involvement in the choral community extends beyond the classroom, as he serves on various boards and even conducts his ensemble, CoroFuente. Dale Beech is a shining example of a dedicated educator and musician, significantly impacting Mississippi’s music education world.
“I am very honored to be recognized as a recipient of the Fine Arts Hall of Fame,” said Beech. “I feel this makes a “full circle” moment for me. I’ve been a music educator for 8 years now.
“I hope to impact my students’ lives like PRCC’s educators have with me. The time and expertise poured into me have shaped me into the educator I am today. I attribute my subsequent collegiate and professional success to having a strong foundation at PRCC.”
Thomas Bridge, a former PRCC music major from 1981 to 1983 under the mentorship of Mr. Archie Rawls, pursued a diverse musical journey during his college years, participating in jazz bands, orchestras, marching bands, and the rock group, Mother of Pearl. After leaving PRCC, he studied psychology at Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. At Auburn, he embarked on a career in advertising, working his way up from local to regional agencies, managing major U.S. clients like Walmart, Blockbuster Video, and CITGO. He eventually became the Director of National Broadcast at one of the world’s largest private advertising agencies.
In 1995, Thomas founded Media Management, Inc. (MMi), where he achieved significant milestones, including developing patented advertising software, overseeing a portfolio exceeding $10 billion annually, and serving renowned U.S. advertisers like General Motors, AT&T, Walmart, and Coca-Cola. Thomas also pursued his passion for giving back, participating as a featured speaker at various prestigious events and institutions.
Simultaneously, he and his wife, Elizabeth, established the Thomas E. & M. Elizabeth Bridge Foundation to sponsor A-List musicians, fostering collaborations with universities across the nation, such as UNLV, the Eastman School of Music, North Texas State University, and the University of Miami. Their sponsored musicians included legends like Butch Miles, Gregg Bissonette, Gregg Field, Tommy Igoe, and Larry Aberman.
Today, Thomas and Elizabeth reside in Las Vegas, NV, relishing their time golfing, traveling, and spoiling their two rescue dogs.
“My time at The River was largely focused in the music department,” said Bridge. “My fondest memory is the mentorship given to me by Archie Rawls. He saw something in me that others had not seen by others.
“Any award such as this is a validation of hard work, focus, and vision. It is gratifying to be honored by The River.”
BROWNSTONE SCHEDULE
Four more events are scheduled for the fall semester.
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd (Lyceum Lecture Series) — Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.
Aca-Fest — Nov. 10 at 6 p.m.
Comfort & Joy — Nov. 16 at 7 PM.
The Nutcracker — Dec. 2 at 2 PM and 7 PM and Dec. 3 at 2 PM.
Tickets for each event can be purchased at prcc.edu/brownstone/upcoming-events/ or by calling 601-403-1180.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG), and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by Jacob Cochran.
