TheChart.com: Southern Symphony Orchestra dedicates concert to the late Haitian composer and flutist Julio Racine (1945-2020)

Julio Racine (February 4, 1945-October 11, 2020)

The Chart

                          The Southern Symphony Orchestra returns for a 'Caribbean Adventure'

• Madalyn Richardson
• Oct 28, 2020

The Southern Symphony Orchestra tuned to their instruments for the “Caribbean Adventure” concert on Friday night, Oct. 23, and played together for their first live performance together since the coronavirus shocked the world.

Each fall, Missouri Southern hosts an internationally themed semester with this year being the Caribbean Semester. Events, guest speakers, and activities focus on the theme each year and the “Caribbean Adventures” concert Friday night followed the theme, paying homage to Caribbean music.

Dr. Canès Nicolas, the Southern Symphony director and conductor, was born and raised in Haiti and shared his cultural influence through the music of the concert in the Caribbean themed program. 

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The concert was tenderly dedicated to the late Julio Racine who was a composer, conductor, flutist, teacher, mentor, counselor, and role model to many in his lifetime. He passed away on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. A moment of silence was observed in his honor before beginning the concert.

He was a reliable advisor and mentor to Dr. Nicholas and encouraged him to advocate for Haitian music and culture in which he did during the Friday night concert.