Austin College Summer Music Camp 2024

Austin College Summer Music Camp 2024 has come to a close! This program is a joint endeavor between the Sherman Symphony Orchestra and Austin College. 95 students from across Texoma enjoyed five days working with a phenomenal roster of faculty including our own Maestro Dominick. The first and only summer music program of its kind in our region, ACSMC seeks to provide an intensive and enriching experience for young musicians currently studying instrumental and vocal music. Formed in 2022, this program has been successful from the start, serving more than 200 students in three years. Highlights this year include guest performances by Sherman Symphony Orchestra musicians, lectures and classes taught by Austin College faculty from Media Studies, Anthropology, Spanish, and Chemistry; presentations by area music businesses, and a panel discussion of Austin College music alumni.

 

Photos by Kendall Katusak 

The Sherman Symphony Orchestra Association Elects New President

Having served as the President of the Sherman Symphony Orchestra for two years, Peter Bellermann (r.) hands his gavel to successor Susan Whitenack (l.), the newly elected President of the Association. Ms. Whitenack is the Head of the da Vinci School in Dallas, TX. She previously served as Assistant Superintendent of the Sherman Independent School District.

March 17 – Guest Artist Performance

This weekend, visiting baritone soloist Daniel Lickteig joins SSO and Austin College musicians in a recital at Wynne Chapel. Free and open to the public, this concert features the music of O’Connor, Copland, Mercadante, McGinn, Massenet, and Brahms.

Daniel Lickteig previously performed with the SSO in April, 2023, serving as the toreador in Carmen. We are happy he will be performing in Sherman once again!

Sunday, March 17
3:00pm
Wynne Chapel, Austin College

2023 Children’s Educational Concerts

2,300 people were in attendance at our 22nd annual Children’s Educational Concerts on Thursday, November 2nd. Fifth-graders from more than 25 area schools filled the hall and listened to music ranging from familiar film scores to classical standards. The concert included an opportunity for a few students to try their hand at conducting, and all students participated in a fun sing-along. To learn more and to find out how to participate, please contact us.

This program was made possible with support from Texoma Physicians Group. 

 

Photography courtesy of Sherman Independent School District

2022-2023 Season

October 22, 2022

Brahms, Symphony No. 1
Márquez, Danzón No. 2
Danzón No. 8

November 4, 2022

2022 Annual Children’s Concerts

December 3 and 4, 2022

Christmas Pops: At the Movies
Bill Conti, Theme from Rocky
Alan Menken and Michael Kosarin, Medley from Beauty and the Beast
Alan Silvestri, Theme from The Avengers
John Williams, Themes from E.T.
George Bruns, Main Theme from Jungle Book
Lalo Schifrin, Theme from Mission Impossible
Elmer Bernstein, Theme from Magnificent Seven
Albert Hague, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”
Chris Michaelsen, bass
John Williams, Themes from Jurassic Park
Ruth and Claude Thornhill, Snowfall
arr. Gene Puerling
Leroy Anderson, Sleigh Ride
Dan Goeller, Christmas Carol Sing-Along

March 4, 2023

Beethoven, Symphony No. 5
Mendelssohn, Midsummer Night’s Dream
Overture
Intermezzo
Nocturne
Wedding March

April 29, 2023

Bizet, Carmen
  Molly Filmore, Carmen
  Wayne Crannell, Don Jose
  Patricia Vigil, Micaëla
  Daniel Licktieg, the Toreador and Morales
  Lilly Boessen, Fresquita
  Diana Racila, Mercédès
  Luke Wild, Dancarïo
            Austin College Choirs
                    Wayne Crannell, director
            Sherman High School Choirs
                    Heidi Scheibmeir, director
            Children’s Chorus of Great North Texas
                    Heidi Scheibmeir, director

April 27 — Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No. 2

 

Concert Sponsored by:

Olmseatd Team Logo

 

We’ve been trying to schedule this great piano concerto, Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto, and this pianist, Evan Mitchell, for several years.  It’s all finally worked out!  This concerto is one of the most tuneful and beautiful in existence; this pianist is a strong and fiery performer who was brilliant in his last concert with the SSO (2016, Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2).

Also on this concert: Gershwin‘s great An American in Paris!  Complete with sounds of the city (in 1928 that means honking taxi horns!), this jazz-age tone poem by one of the greatest American composers will just make you feel good.  You will probably remember the first time you heard this music but even if not, you’ll never forget it.  And while we’re in Paris, let’s enjoy a beautiful piece by the French composer Lili Boulanger, D’un matin de printemps.  It is a perfect picture of a spring morning with the freshness of the day and a lightness of early spring green leaves and flowers.  If that description doesn’t quite make sense, come hear for yourself what we’re writing about!

Be sure to get your tickets early and don’t be late to the concert–the hall fills quickly!

Join us for a reception following the concert, included in the price of the ticket!  SSO concerts are the best deal in town.

Ticket information is below.

 

Reception Sponsored by:

Urban Sherman

Celebration Sponsored by:

Atmos Energy

March 2 — Schumann, Symphony No. 3, “Rhenish”

Tickets are available now for the late winter concert featuring the Schumann Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major.  This stirring symphony will surely warm your heart on a cold winter evening–join us to experience this great work of romantic music.  Called the “Rhenish,” the symphony was composed after a peaceful and happy vacation trip for Clara and Robert Schumann in 1850.  It has an amazingly cinematic first movement and includes a movement that Schumann wanted to be played as a sacred rite with a brass choir quite unlike any other Romantic work.  You will love this wonderful symphony.  Don’t forget to invite your friends and share the music!

December 2 & 3 & 5 — Christmas Pops!

Enjoy table seating at Sherman Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Pops concerts held at Austin College December 2, at 7:30, and December 3, at 3:00 (or join us in Ardmore, OK December 5 at Ardmore High School’s Westheimer Performing Arts Center).  Pops is all about family and friends, so bring snacks to share with your party and listen to delightful seasonal music, enjoy the coloring contest, and plan to take pictures with Santa.  Special guests and special musical surprises appear every year: this year we have a truly special treat as the SSO presents a silent film with live orchestral accompaniment!

There are reserved tables for 8 at the front of the auditorium available for an additional cost.

Buy Tickets for Saturday’s Concert

Buy Tickets for Sunday’s Concert

November 2 — Children’s Educational Concerts

After twenty-one years of SSO Children’s Educational Concerts, it’s easy to see that no one is doing more to educate our children about the advantages of learning an orchestral instrument and fostering a love for great music (and providing it for free!).  Two concerts, 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, are provided with space for 2400 students.  Last year we had two full houses, so please reserve your school’s seats early.

Fifth-graders in all Texoma school districts are invited to attend our free annual Children’s Educational Concert. Read more about this program.

October 28 — Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6 (“Pathetique”)

A favorite composer, a notorious piece, a huge orchestra, and a possible mystery very close to Halloween–what could make for a more enjoyable evening?  Join the SSO for the 2023 – 2024 season opening concert as the orchestra plays Tchaikovsky’s great Symphony No. 6.  The title is normally given in the French as Pathetique, but a better translation of the Russian might be Passionate.  All sorts of stories have grown up in the wake of this symphony’s premiere, since the composer died just over a week later.  Did we mention that the premiere was also October 28, exactly 130 years ago?  There might be more spooky coincidences at this concert but you’ll have to come to find out.  We’re dying to see you!