HOUSTON (March 15, 2008)—The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Guest Conductor, Héctor Agüero, 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.

Héctor Agüero, Jr., has quickly become one of the most talented and sought-after young conductors in the classical music world today. Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Agüero excelled as a performer and was awarded several scholarships to study conducting at the School of Music at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he received his Bachelors and Masters in Conducting. He has most recently been appointed Orchestra Director for The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. Agüero currently resides in Katy, Texas with his wife Laura and their daughter Eva Grace.
 
Mr. Agüero, Jr. will conduct the Fort Bend Symphony in the following program: Finlandia, Op. 26 by Jean Sibelius; Piano Concerto No. 24 (I. Allegro) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, cadenza by Dr. Dariusz Pawlas, featuring Joey Sliepka, piano; Nimrod from Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar; Piano Concerto, Op. 54 (1st mvmt.) by Robert Schumann, featuring Yang Zhou, piano; Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 (IV. Finale) by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
 
Tickets for the performance are $15 regular price, $10 for seniors and students, and children under 5 are free. For more information or to purchase tickets ahead of time, please visit our website at http://www.fbso.org/ or contact the Fort Bend Symphony Hotline at 281-276-9642.

Winners in Houston Music Teachers Assn. 2008 Young Artist Concerto Competition
 
Joey Sliepka, Piano Concerto No. 24 (I. Allegro) - Wolfgang A. Mozart
 
Joey Sliepka, age 14, is active in academics, sports, and music. He attends Cook Junior High where he received “Ranger Pride,” the top academic award given out at the school. He also plays baseball and has been able to participate in a number of major World Series championships, qualifying for the “All Tournament Team” several times.

Joey is a student of Dr. Dariusz Pawlas through the preparatory division at the Shepherd School of Music/Rice University. Some of his most recent piano accomplishments include: first place in the 2008 Houston Music Teachers Association Piano Contest; first place in the 2008 HMTA/HYAC Concerto Competition; first place in the 2007 International Chopin Youth Competition; third place in the 2007 MTNA State Competition (7th and 8th grade categry)

Yang Zhou, Piano Concerto, op. 54 (1st mvmt.) - Robert Schumann
 
Yang Zhou, age 17, is currently a senior at Cinco Ranch High School in Katy. He began his piano studies at the age of seven and has studied under Yunhua Lovell for eight years. This performance marks his second performance with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra. Yang has also performed numerous honor recitals for the Katy Music Teachers Association, performed in the Houston Young Artist Concert in 2003, won 1st prize in the HMTA/HYAC Concerto Competition in 2006 and won 2nd prize in the Dorothea Kelly Scholarship Competition in 2007. Yang has also played violin for seven years and has been a three year member of the Texas All-State Orchestra. He has also received several medals in the UIL solo and ensemble contest at the state level and has performed as concertmaster of his school orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Other than music, Yang also enjoys playing tennis and basketball. Yang’s parents are Lijun and Dadong Zhou.