Sherman Symphony Orchestra > Past Concerts > 2022-2023 Season

2022-2023 Season

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

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!

Summer Music Camp 2023 Recap

Austin College Summer Music Camp 2023 was a huge success! What began in 2022 as a small program has grown tremendously, and we look forward to the future of this program.

Here’s a brief overview of ACSMC 2023:

  • 92 students joined us from the following cities: Sherman, Denison, McKinney, Pottsboro, Howe, Van Alstyne, Trenton, Colbert, Anna, Bonham, Savoy, Bells, Gordonville, Melissa, Whitesboro, Leonard, Pilot Point
  • ACSMC 2023 was open to middle and high school strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and voice (2022: strings, brass, woodwinds only)
  • For comparison, 40 students attended in our first year, 2022. 18 of those students returned as campers in 2023, and two former campers returned as members of the staff.
  • 14 faculty joined us from Austin College, Sherman Symphony Orchestra, and the following school districts: Sherman, Denison, Denton, McKinney, Plano, Prosper
  • All 2022 faculty returned in 2023, and we added faculty from McKinney, Sherman, and Austin College to create opportunities for percussion and voice students.
  • Our staff of 8 people consisted of current AC students and former ACSMC campers
  • Each student participated in a chamber group (~4-6 musicians) as well as a larger ensemble.
  • All students took two electives each day, choosing from the following: Music Theory, Music History, Conducting, Jazz Improvisation
  • Camp faculty and guest artists provided daily performances and topical presentations for the students
  • The camp recital on June 16 filled Wynne Chapel - standing room only! 20 student chamber groups and 7 large ensembles shared their work. All students demonstrated their ability to learn and perform brand-new music in five days.

KXII news piece, June 12, 2023

Stay tuned for information about ACSMC 2024!

 

Spring Concert Spotlight: Youth Choirs Join SSO for ‘Carmen’

Education is the foundation of our mission, and we are happy to include area youth choirs in our spring concert! Three student ensembles will participate in the April 29th performance.

Children’s Chorus of Greater North Texas

Led by Heidi Scheibmeir, the Children’s Chorus and Grads’ Chorus provide choral performance opportunities for vocalists from third grade through college.

Sherman High School Varsity Mixed Choir

The Sherman High School Varsity Mixed Choir is the most advanced vocal ensemble at SHS. A former Bearcat herself, Heidi Scheibmeir began leading the SHS choirs in 2022.

Austin College A Cappella Choir

The Austin College A Cappella Choir was founded in 1946, fifty years after the first vocal ensembles at Austin College. It was modeled after the collegiate glee clubs made popular in the U.S. in the 20’s and 30‘s and still draws its inspiration from choirs like those at St. Olaf and Westminster Choir College. The A Cappella Choir is also the primary touring ensemble of Austin College, having appeared throughout the U.S. and in most of the countries of Europe. The Choir is an auditioned ensemble made up of students studying in all fields, with the majority planning careers in medicine, law, education, and business. Former Choir members are also professional performers, conductors, and music educators. Dr. Wayne Crannell has led the ensemble for the past 28 years. 

21st Annual Children’s Educational Concerts

On November 3, nearly 2400 5th graders from across the region attended the 21st annual Children’s Educational Concerts at Kidd-Key Auditorium. With students from 29 different schools, the audiences for these concerts were the largest the SSO has ever seen. This year’s program included a new element – a sing-along – that required students and teachers to learn a chorus part in advance. These interactive and informative concerts are offered free of charge each year so that students can learn more about the orchestra, and see and hear instruments that they will soon have an opportunity to learn to play themselves. This year’s concerts were sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and First United Bank.

To see more about this year’s program, check out KXII and the Herald Democrat’s excellent coverage of these concerts:

Sherman fifth graders attend educational concerts

https://www.kxii.com/2022/11/03/sherman-symphony-orchestra-performs-2400-texoma-students/

Photography: Todd Kleiboer, Sherman ISD

For more information about the Children’s Educational Concerts, click here:

Children’s Educational Concert