Behind the Music

In this episode of Behind the Music, Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra Music Director Fouad Fakhouri sits down with Dr. Todd Giles, author of the WFSO’s program notes. Together, they explore the October 18th concert program, featuring unforgettable music from iconic films like Harry Potter, James Bond, and more. Discover how movie music captivates audiences, heightens storytelling, and transforms the concert hall into a cinematic experience. Listen before the performance for a deeper appreciation of film music- then join us live! Tickets are available at www.wfso.org.

In this episode of Behind the Music, Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra Music Director Fouad Fakhouri speaks with composer Gala Flagello, the first composer to be featured on the podcast! They discuss her powerful work, Bravado, diving into the inspiration behind the piece, her approach to composition, and the role of new music in orchestral programming. Listen in before the concert and experience Bravado with a deeper understanding of its energy and emotion! Get your tickets to the performance at www.wfso.org.

In this episode of Behind the Music, Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra Music Director Fouad Fakhouri sits down with world-renowned pianist Alessio Bax for an insightful conversation about the art of making music. They discuss the differences between recording as a solo artist versus working with others, the unique challenges and rewards of both approaches, and the type of music that inspires Alessio the most. Whether you're a musician, a music lover, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes world of classical performance, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a virtuoso. In case you missed Alessio's previous interview listen to it at https://www.wfso.org/podcast/ or wherever you get your podcasts.

Join conductor Fouad Fakhouri and saxophonist Maria Torres-Melgares as they dive into the upcoming Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra concert, Global Voyages. Learn about Maria’s musical beginnings, her passion for the saxophone, and what makes Yoshimatsu’s Cyberbird such a compelling and dynamic piece. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look into the artistry and inspiration behind the February 1 concert! Get your tickets to this and other symphony concerts by visiting our website: www.wfso.org

Experience the vibrant pulse of Fiesta Sinfónica as the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra kicks off its season with a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. In this episode of Behind the Music, Maestro Fouad Fakhouri sits down with our first guest artist, acclaimed harpist Jaymee Haefner. A true expert and enthusiast of the harp and its repertoire, Jaymee shares fascinating stories from her summer travels and offers a preview of what she's most excited about for her upcoming WFSO performance. Tune in as we explore the rich cultural connections in this concert and what makes Ginastera’s Harp Concerto a standout piece. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of music and culture at Fiesta Sinfónica on October 19, 2024 at First Baptist Church. To purchase tickets and to find out more, visit www.wfso.org.

For the finale concert of the 2023-2024 season, Fouad Fakhouri welcomes internationally recognized clarinetist Julian Bliss to the stage. In this episode, hear how Julian got his very young start, how his love of jazz music and Benny Goodman has influenced his playing, and just how much he loves the clarinet! This concert will also feature two German masterpieces: Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. For more information about the concert and to purchase tickets, please visit www.wfso.org. Please note that this concert will be held at a different venue - First Baptist Church.

Maestro Fouad Fakhouri is joined by Anna Geniushene, 2022 Van Cliburn Silver Medalist. Join us as we explore Anna's Van Cliburn journey (including a special competitor!) and her upcoming performance of Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto with the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. The program also includes a piece by Florence Price, the first African-American female composer to gain national recognition and local artist Jesse Baggett, who will add a beautiful artistic flourish with a live interpretive painting to Schumann's Symphony No. 4. For more information about the concert and to purchase tickets, please visit www.wfso.org.

Trumpet virtuoso Mary Elizabeth Bowden joins Maestro Fakhouri as they discuss her upcoming performance of a newly commissioned jazz-inspired piece titled Bohemian Queen by Brazilian-American Grammy Award nominated composer, Clarice Assad. The program includes Bowden's shining interpretation of Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto, Rossini’s infamous and exhilarating Overture to William Tell, and Shostakovich’s evocative Symphony No. 9. For more information about the concert and to purchase tickets, please visit www.wfso.org.

Round up your family and friends for the opening concert of our 76th season! In the first episode of the 2023-24 season, Maestro Fakhouri speaks with Dave Alexander about his roots, his classical music upbringing, and the exciting fusion he has created of symphonic orchestra and Western swing and traditional fiddle tunes. For more information about the concert and to purchase tickets, please visit www.wfso.org.

As we wrap up the 75th Diamond Anniversary Season, listen to the epic collaboration of the WFSO and Dr. Thomas Wininger with the Midwestern State University and community choirs on Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. Also hear about the interesting projects that Dr. Wininger is working on with Wichita Falls locals.

Returning to the stage with the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, Grammy award-winning violinist Jennifer Koh chats with Maestro Fakhouri about her younger years and current projects she is exploring to promote new music. Jennifer also discusses her history with the piece she will be performing on February 25, 2023, the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto.  For more information about the concert and to purchase tickets, please visit www.wfso.org. 

In addition to extraordinary public concerts throughout the season, the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra has a thriving education program. The largest education event of the year, the Young People's Concert, will have a very special guest for 2023: the Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre. Join Maestro Fakhouri as he interviews Val and Mishic Liberatore about the thriving ballet scene in Wichita Falls and the Music & Dance collaboration with the WFSO on January 27, 2023.  Don't miss our other BIG event the same weekend: Big Sounds from the Big Screen: The Wonder of Williams. This will be a celebration of all things John Williams. From Star Wars to Harry Potter to Indiana Jones, you won't want to miss it! Tickets are on sale at www.wfso.org for the January 28, 2023 performance. 

To celebrate our hometown this holiday season, Wichita Falls native Darla Diltz joins Maestro Fouad Fakhouri to discuss all things Wichita Falls, MSU-Texas, and her experiences leaving and returning to this wonderful city. 

Join Maestro Fakhouri as he interviews the multiple GRAMMY Award winner, guitarist Sharon Isbin. They discuss her background, commissioning new works for classical guitar and large ensemble, and the Vivaldi and Rodrigo concerti she will be performing with the WFSO on November 5, 2022 at Akin Auditorium. For more information about the concert and to purchase tickets, please visit www.wfso.org.

Maestro Fouad Fakhouri speaks with our first guest artist of the season, Jon Nakamatsu, about winning the Van Cliburn competition, his rehearsal and performance process, and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1, which he will be performing with the WFSO on October 8, 2022. For more information about the concert and to purchase tickets, please visit www.wfso.org. 

On this special episode of Behind the Music, join the WFSO's current Board of Director President Elizabeth Yeager and Executive Director Alicia Deges as they discuss the 75th Diamond Anniversary Season and the strong history of the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. 

Listen as Maestro Fouad Fakhouri and internationally recognized pianist, Alessio Bax, discuss Alessio's background, impacts of the COVID pandemic on performers, and the breathtaking work of Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2, which he will perform at the upcoming April 30 concert. For more information about the concert on April 30, 2022, please visit the WFSO's website at www.wfso.org. 

Join Maestro Fouad Fakhouri in his interview with the WFSO's own principal flautist and principal harpist, Drs. Pam Youngblood and Jaymee Haefner. Both of these talented musicians have a long history of working and performing together, and their stories are fascinating! Plus, the give insight into the piece they will be performing together, Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto in C Major. This episode was originally scheduled to air before the January 22 concert, but was rescheduled due to COVID concerns. The new concert date is March 26, 2022 at 7:30pm in Akin Auditorium. For more information about this upcoming concert, please visit the WFSO's website at www.wfso.org.

Listen to Maestro Fouad Fakhouri interview the extremely talented photographer and multimedia artist, Nicholas Bardonnay of Westwater Arts. They discuss Nicholas' creative process as he brings awe-inspiring visuals to the traditional orchestral setting. Nicholas will also premiere his newest collaboration with the local Wichita Falls photographer, Frank Yeager, to display his stunning photographs of Yellowstone National Park on the big screen. To learn more about the February 26 concert and to purchase tickets, please visit www.wfso.org. You won't want to miss it!

Join Maestro Fouad Fakhouri as he interviews Dr. Matthew Luttrell, the new music director and conductor of the Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra. Learn how Dr. Luttrell made his way to the YSO and the vision he has for this talented group of young musicians! For more information about the concert on December 11, 2021, please visit the WFSO's website at www.wfso.org.