Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
12:11 pm Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Introducing the Meridian Symphony Orchestra…

By Staff
This is a special feature
introducing the musicians of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. The public can see the orchestra in concert on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. in Meridian Community
College's McCain Theater.
Cory Thompson is a newcomer to the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. He currently is a masters student at the University of Southern Mississippi, under the tutelage of longtime MSO clarinetist Wilbur Moreland.
Thompson, a native of Liberty, S.C., has also trained under clarinetist Doug Graham.
In his spare time Thompson enjoys biking, weight training and movies. His favorite composer is Stravinsky, but he favors music of the romantic period to the 20th century.
James Farley is a first violinist in the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. A native of Birmingham, he is a full-time student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
He enjoys all orchestral music, but lists Tchaikovsky as his favorite composer. Spare time finds Farley at the movies, reading or playing board games.
Farley was in his fourth-grade classroom one day 11 years ago, when a gentleman entered, interrupted and asked, "Who wants to play a string instrument?"
Farley raised his hand and the rest is history.

Also on Franklin County Times
Warming stations in the Shoals
News, Z - News Main
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
January 23, 2026
FLORENCE — Several warming centers and emergency shelters are operating across Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties in preparation for freezing t...
What to know about hypothermia
News, Z - News Main
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 23, 2026
FLORENCE — While Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties are facing a ice storm warning starting at midnight, several homes and residents may lose p...
Sheriff: Contraband is constant battle in jails
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the county jail is not immune to the problem jail officials everywhere face: Inmates coming...
Oliver, Shackelford qualify for sheriff
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver will have to hit the campaign trail to seek a fifth term this year. Oliver, a Republican and Fra...
New welding shop a plus for students
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A new welding shop inside the Russellville High School’s remodeled career tech building offers students more time and space to learn th...
Vina seniors tour NWSCC campuses
News, Vina Red Devils
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
VINA — Vina High School seniors toured the Phil Campbell and Muscle Shoals campuses of Northwest Shoals Community College as part of career planning a...
Can the US solve its electricity crisis?
Columnists, Opinion
January 21, 2026
As America embraces a new year 2026, consumers are looking for relief from an ongoing “affordability crisis.” While prices for some key items have mer...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *