Catalin Dima: Free Piano Recital Thursday, October 13

On Thursday, October 13, Catalin Dima will present a recital at Wynne Chapel, Austin College. This program is free and open to the public.

Hailed as a pianist that displays “an expressive and unleashed interpretation, transcending all the technical challenges of the score…a gift to the audience” (Romanian Music Radio), Catalin Dima has established himself as one of the leading artists of his generation. His recital appearances and engagements with orchestras have brought him to venues throughout the United States and his native Romania. In his pursuit for innovative programming, Catalin combines mainstream and rare piano repertoire, often focusing on Romanian, American, and Japanese composers. Currently, Catalin is the Instructor of Piano at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He is also the founder of the Texoma Piano Competition and the artistic director of the Musical Arts Series at SE.

Thursday, October 13, 7:30pm
Clifford J. Grum Sanctuary, Wynne Chapel
Austin College
900 N. Grand Ave, Sherman

Program:

Franz Liszt – “Elegie” no. 2
(1811-1886)

Maurice Ravel – “Ondine”
(1875-1937)    – “Oiseaux tristes”
– “Scarbo”

Sergei Bortkiewicz – “Esquisse de Crimee”:
(1877-1952)        III. Idylle Orientale
IV. Chaos

George Enescu – “Carillon nocturne”
(1881-1955)

Paul Constantinescu – “Cantec”
(1909-1963)         - “Joc Dobrogean”

SSO Receives National Endowment for the Arts Grant

The Sherman Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that they are receiving a grant of $10,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support its educational outreach programs. 

“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support organizations across the country, including the Sherman Symphony Orchestra. The arts help communities to thrive,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD., chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Meaningful engagement with the arts can have many benefits, from contributing to collective healing and mutual understanding, to strengthening local economies.”

The Sherman Symphony’s education programs engage developing minds by providing affordable, high quality music education. Since 2002, The 5th grade Children’s Educational Concert has been many students’ first live orchestral experience: 2,000 students learn instrument families, concert etiquette, and various genres of music each year. In addition, as many as 400 students see classical concerts annually through the Free Student Ticket Program. Sherman High School Media students have the unique opportunity to record Classical Series concerts through the Symphony’s Broadcast partnership with local news channel KXII. 

While band programs are common in Grayson County, Sherman hosts the only string orchestra program. Most Sherman orchestra students face economic challenges: 68% of Sherman ISD students are economically disadvantaged, and only 15% of orchestra students receive private lessons. Since 2019, all Sherman orchestra students have benefited from sectionals with Symphony musicians through SSO Scholars. Practice Partners is an after-school peer mentoring program that pairs beginning orchestra students with high school string players for monthly practice sessions. 2nd-4th grade students enjoy chamber music presentations and performances as Musical Chairs brings Sherman Symphony musicians to area schools. A collaboration with the Sherman Symphony and Austin College, Austin College Summer Music Camp is a middle and high school day camp that cultivates musical development through rehearsing and performing chamber music.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue supporting students’ education with a wide variety of musical experiences. The Sherman Symphony Orchestra was founded with the intention of sharing music and educational opportunities with students in the greater Texoma region, and this grant enables us to further our mission in a rapidly growing community.” Leslie Whelan, SSO Education Director

About the National Endowment for the Arts

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more.

Harmony Harvest Fall Fundraiser

Join us for a wonderful evening benefitting the Sherman Symphony Orchestra Association! Our fall fundraiser, Harmony Harvest, will take place Saturday, October 8th in the Sherman Municipal Ballroom from 7-10pm. You can look forward to a fabulous 4-course harvest-themed dinner from Monet’s Bistro; great wines from local North Texas wineries; live music and entertainment from Travis Street Band; exciting raffle prizes including a one-night Airbnb getaway vacation package; and great company and conversations with fellow symphony-lovers! Come dressed in your favorite cocktail attire, invite your friends, and get ready to enjoy a great evening with the SSO.  This is an event you don’t want to miss – so purchase your tickets today at https://shermansymphony.com/concerts/buy-tickets/

First Annual Austin College Summer Music Camp

Operated by the Sherman Symphony and hosted by Austin College, the first annual Austin College Summer Music Camp took place June 13-17, 2022. Staffed by area educators, Sherman Symphony musicians, and Austin College faculty, this non-residential program gave 40 students the opportunity to learn and perform chamber and large ensemble music over the course of five days. Sherman ISD was well-represented throughout the student body and the faculty. Many happy campers expressed their eagerness to return in 2023!

We are grateful to our sponsors for supporting this new endeavor:

Saied Music
Dallas Strings
Music & Arts

Austin College Summer Music Camp

 

Maestro Dominick – 30 years with the SSO

Maestro Dominick recognized for 30 years of service

At the closing reception of our April 30, 2022 performance, Daniel Dominick was recognized for his 30 years of service as Music Director and Conductor of the Sherman Symphony Orchestra. The Sherman Symphony Orchestra Association Board of Directors framed the programs from the 2021-2022 concert season. Pictured here is Maestro Dominick (l) receiving this gift from SSOA President Mark Nagel (r).

Watch our next TV broadcast is Sunday, March 24 at 9:00am on KXII-FOX Channel 12!

We present a new broadcast each month, so check back regularly to find out when.  These programs feature works from recent concerts and from past seasons.  Also, be sure to check out our YouTube channel for older previous broadcasts.

See a previous broadcast on our YouTube Channel:


A Free Concert Broadcast on KXII Every Month

KXII broadcasts excerpts from our live concerts monthly, usually on KXII-CBS 12 and sometimes on KXII-Fox 12. Watch this space or our Facebook page to find out the date and time of the next broadcast.

Sherman Symphony Orchestra Holds Twentieth Annual Children’s Concert

young person learning how a conductor directs an orchestra

On November 4, 2021, Over 2,000 fifth-graders attended the Sherman Symphony’s Children’s Educational Concert.

For twenty years, the SSO has offered this one-hour program free of charge to all Texoma-area fifth graders in conjunction with area music educators. The goal of this program is to engage developing minds in the art of classical music by providing a high-quality live concert experience.

children attending a symphony concert