Matinee Musicale celebrated its 75th year at its 2025 guest night Tuesday, February 18 at First United Methodist Church. The evening featured Ms. Marta Szlubowska on violin and Mrs. Nancy Bateman on cello. 

Ms. Slubowska is a Polish-American violinist who has served as Concertmaster and Soloist with the Mississippi Symphony. She has performed with many orchestras in 15 countries throughout Europe and America. She has degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of Music and the University of Massachusetts.

Mrs. Bateman, a favorite of Brookhaven’s music community, is Adjunct Cello Professor at Belhaven University. In addition to her extensive teaching duties, she performs with numerous orchestras across the country, including the Mississippi Symphony. She holds BA and MA degrees from Wichita State University and has pursued advanced studies at University of Missouri.

The program included eleven works from the classical repertoire and featured a humorous and enlightening discussion of each piece and composer. Some of the well-known compositions featured were an excerpt from Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade Theme, Massenet’s Meditation from Thais, Bach’s Air, known as the Air On a G String and Mozart’s Rondo alla Turca. The duo received a well-deserved standing ovation.

Following the performance, the group enjoyed tiramisu crowned with a golden 75th anniversary cake topper and coffee served by hostesses Mrs. Don Doty, Mrs. Patrick Lowery, Mrs Tom Corkern, Mrs. Bill Lofton, Mrs. Mike Milholen, Mrs. Hunter Kergosien and Mrs. Blake Scafidel.