Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra

Fort Bend Symphony Names New Music Director

By Amy Floyd
Published: April 20, 2008
Updated: April 20, 2008

The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of H�ctor Ag�ero, Jr. as their new Music Director, making him the first native Texan to hold this position. The announcement comes on the heels of a year-long search following Dr. John Ricarte�s decision to step down as Conductor at the end of last season. The search attracted over 50 applicants from around the world. From these applicants, the FBSO Search Committee selected five very talented finalists who led the Orchestra as Guest Conductors over the past season.

From Russia with Love

By Fort Bend Focus Magazine - http://www.fortbendfocus.com
Published: April 6, 2008
Updated: April 6, 2008

Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra Violinist Tofik Khanmamedov.

By Sandy Chapman, 281-342-8511
Published: March 16, 2008
Updated: March 16, 2008

HOUSTON (March 15, 2008)�The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Guest Conductor, H�ctor Ag�ero, Jr., Director of Orchestras and Chamber Music HSPVA (High School for the Performing and Visual Arts), will introduce the winners of the Houston Music Teachers Association/Houston Young Artist Concerto Competition, at its concert on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 3900 Lexington Boulevard at Murphy Road, Missouri City.

By Amy Floyd
Published: February 25, 2008

This past Sunday, February 17th, the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra presented East Meets West, a concert celebrating a diversity of musical styles from different cultures. The Orchestra, under the baton of guest conductor Libi Lebel sparkled with energy and enthusiasm throughout the entire performance, but the highlight was the “Qilian Rhapsody” for Pipa and Orchestra by Lan-Kui Han.

By Charity James
Published: January 26, 2008

The Fort Bend Symphony is pleased to present pipa virtuoso Changlu Wu in concert Sunday, February 17 at 2pm at the Stafford Centre. Ms. Wu will be performing the Pipa Concerto “Qilian Rhapsody.” This is only the second time this piece has been performed in the United States.

By Amy Floyd at 281-276-9642
Published: December 1, 2007

Amanda Walker, 20, of Sugar Land is set to perform with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra this Sunday, December 2 at 2:00 p.m. at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road, Stafford, TX. The Orchestra will be conducted by Maestro Ken Masur, who was recently appointed Resident Conductor for the San Antonio Symphony.

By Amy Floyd
Published: November 11, 2007

Bring the entire family and join the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra at the Stafford Centre on Sunday, December 2 at 2:00 p.m. as we ring in the holiday season with a concert of familiar favorites, including selections from The Nutcracker and Handel's Messiah. Guest Conductor Ken Masur, Resident Conductor of the San Antonio Symphony, will lead the Orchestra in a variety of holiday tunes, sure to get your season off to an exciting start!

By Amy Floyd
Published: October 18, 2007

The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra is pleased to present “From the New World to the 'New World'” – an exciting collection of 20th century music – on Sunday, October 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the beautiful Stafford Centre (10505 Cash Road, Stafford, Texas, 77477) under the baton of Guest Conductor, Viswa Subbaraman.

By Amy Floyd
Published: August 21, 2007

The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra will be holding an Open House for string players on Tuesday, September 4 from 7:15 - 9:45 p.m. Come and experience the joy that is music, as you sit next to members of the Orchestra during a rehearsal under the baton of Maestro Mariusz Smolij. This is a great opportunity to mingle with the members of the Orchestra and test your skills without the pressure of an audition.

By Amy Floyd
Published: July 24, 2007

When Dr. John Ricarte stepped down after ten seasons of conducting the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra at the end of last season, there was a collective gasp as the group realized they would be saying good-bye to their long-time friend and musical leader. But members of the Board and the Orchestra quickly realized that this was an opportunity to cast the net for a new leader, one who would continue the legacy of Dr. Ricarte and take the Orchestra to new heights. They sprang to action, formed a Search Committee, developed a comprehensive plan and sent the call out for interested applicants to apply.

Upcoming Symphony Auditions

By Amy Floyd
Published: July 24, 2007

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HOUSTON (July 24, 2007)—–The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra announces its auditions for the 2007-2008 season will be held by appointment from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2007.

To schedule an appointment, send an e-mail with your name, instrument, and playing experience to Auditions or call 281-276-9642. Auditions will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Missouri City. Directions are on our website: http://www.fbso.org/Membership Auditions will consist of playing a three-minute selection of your choice in front of our audition panel. You will also be asked to sight read an excerpt from our repertoire.

Memorial Day Musical Tribute

By Sandy Chapman
Published: May 17, 2007

The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra presents a free Memorial Day concert outdoors at the beautiful Sugar Land Town Square on Saturday, May 26th, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The symphony's brass quintet will open the concert with jazz, polkas, and pops arrangements. At 7:00, the symphony will feature the popular local musical theatre star Josh Wright in several songs with the orchestra. Conductors for this very special concert are Marty Koran and Bill Atkerson.

MUSICAL VIRTUOSOS TO PERFORM

By Sandy Chapman
Published: April 28, 2007

HOUSTON (April 23, 2007)—–On Sunday, May 13, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Stafford Performing Arts Centre, 10505 Cash Road, Stafford, Texas, two young musical virtuosos will be presented to the public in performance with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra. These musical geniuses are the winners of the Eighth Annual Young Artist Concerto Competition sponsored by the orchestra.

Symphonic Showcase

By Sandy Chapman
Published: March 18, 2007

The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Dr. John Ricarte, will present a special performance Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 2:00 p.m., Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center,2501 S. Mason Road, Katy, Texas 77450.

Sean Gao and Millie Nishikawa, winners from the Houston Music Teachers Association/Houston Young Artist Concerto Competition (HMTA/HYAC) , will step into the spotlight. Members of the Fort Bend Symphony look forward to focusing attention on the importance of promoting music education in the community.

By Amy Floyd
Published: February 17, 2007

The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra proudly announces the winners of the Eighth Annual Young Artist Concerto Competition held January 27, 2007. The competition attracted young musicians from as far away as Dallas, although most contestants were from the local Fort Bend and greater Houston area. “One delightful ‘problem’ was that all competition performers were outstanding, with bright musical futures ahead of them,” Bill Atkerson, Concerto Competition Chairperson, commented.

By Amy Floyd
Published: January 29, 2007

Dr. John Ricarte, who has led the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra as Conductor and Musical Director for the past ten seasons, has announced that he will resign his duties with the group at the end of the current season.

During his tenure with the orchestra, Ricarte, who earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at the University of South Carolina, has seen the group flourish, performing such works as the entire Nutcracker Ballet with BalletForte, Handel’s Messiah, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, and many other major works.

By Coleman Locke, 979-533-0756
Published: January 11, 2007

Fort Bend’s own symphony orchestra teams up with Nashville country singer Todd Fritsch for a unique blend of strings and country music on Sunday afternoon, February 25, 2007. “In an effort to appeal to an ever widening audience group, we are expanding our repertoire for this upcoming concert,” said Amy Floyd, Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra President.

By Coleman Locke, 979-533-0756
Published: November 11, 2006

Bring the entire family and join the Fort Bend Symphony in a joyous Holiday Concert at the Stafford Centre Concert Hall on Saturday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. Begin the Holiday Season with a musical performance of traditional holiday favorites and new classics. Be prepared to sing along as the symphony plays familiar holiday songs.

By Coleman Locke 979-533-0756
Published: September 22, 2006

The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra opens its 15th season with the exotic sounds of Spain in an exciting concert entitled: In a Latin Mood. The concert is scheduled for Sunday, October 22, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at the beautiful Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road, Stafford, Texas. Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjues will feature Jeremy Garcia on Spanish guitar. The hauntingly beautiful melody is a perennial crowd favorite, and has been recorded by such diverse artists as Jose Feliciano, Miles Davis, and Pepe Romero.

By Amy Floyd
Published: September 19, 2006

The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra is once again the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. For the third year in a row, the Orchestra was invited to apply for the Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Invitational Initiative and recently learned of their success in securing the grant.

� 2006-2007 Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra | 281-276-9642