FORMER CONDUCTORS AND SPECIAL GUESTS TO JOIN IN CELEBRATION OF FORT BEND SYMPHONY’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra’s founding music director Kai Yeun Choi (1992-1997) and former music director Dr. John Ricarte (1997-2007) will be among the special guests celebrating the orchestra’s 20th anniversary season during a special concert on Sunday, Feb. 19. Far Away Places, under the direction of current FBSO Music Director Dr. Hector Agüero (2008 to present), features music from around the world and begins at 2 p.m. at the Stafford Centre.

Among the works FBSO will perform include “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Richard Wagner’s opera “Lohengrin,” “Emperor Waltz” by Johann Strauss, “Hungarian March” by Hector Berlioz and “Irish Tune” by Percy Grainger. Christopher Henselman, a 16-year-old pianist who has twice performed at Carnegie Hall, will be a featured guest artist as the winner of FBSO’s 2012 Young Artist Concerto Competition.

Also in town for the celebration is Canadian composer Dr. Monte Keene Pishny-Floyd, FBSO’s conductor-in-residence. Planning surprises for FBSO patrons after the concert are three musicians who joined the orchestra during its inaugural season in 1992: Sandy Chapman, Marilyn Conger and Becky Walker.

Reserved adult tickets for Far Away Places are available for $10 and $15. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult, but need a reserved ticket. Discounts are available for seniors, students and military, as well as groups of 10 or more.

Tickets may be ordered at www.fbso.org or by calling 281.276.9642.

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Accompanying Photo: FBSO_FarAwayPlaces.jpg
Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra musicians prepare to transport concertgoers around the world during their February 19 Far Away Places concert. Standing on the platform of the historical 1879 rail car at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum are Andrea Cope, percussion, and Fangming Zhu, violin. At ground level are Katherine Leskin, cello, and Ashley Clift, clarinet. Serving as conductor is FBSO patron Tom Chapman.

About the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra
The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra (FBSO), founded in 1992, enriches the lives of Fort Bend residents and surrounding areas with live symphonic music presented by its volunteer members. The full-size orchestra, complete with brass, woodwinds, strings and percussion, represents an abundant cross-section of local talent, most of whom reside in the Fort Bend area. FBSO also fosters student musicians through sponsorship of an annual Young Artist Concerto Competition that includes a cash prize for the winner and the opportunity to perform with the Orchestra.