Dear Friends,
One of the greatest privileges of serving as Music Director of the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra is shaping each season around a single idea. This year, that idea is Music Moves.
At first glance, those two words may seem simple. Yet the more I reflect on them, the more I realize how deeply they capture the essence of what music can do. Music moves us emotionally, carrying us from sorrow to joy, from excitement to quiet reflection. It moves our imagination, inviting us to hear familiar works with new ears and discover music we have never encountered before. Perhaps most importantly, it moves us toward one another, reminding us that, even in a world that often feels divided, we can still gather to experience art that unites us.
As a conductor, I have spent my life studying scores, rehearsing orchestras, and standing before audiences. But some of the moments that have stayed with me the longest have had little to do with technical perfection. They are the moments when an audience sits in complete silence before the final applause, when musicians listen so intently that they seem to breathe as one, or when someone approaches me after a performance and says, “I have heard this piece performed many times, but I have never experienced it this profoundly before.”
I have been deeply moved by listeners who have shared that a performance brought them to tears, or that, after hearing orchestras around the world, they experienced something uniquely powerful in that evening’s music-making. Those are the moments that remind me why orchestras matter: because music has the extraordinary ability to create experiences that stay with us long after the final notes have faded.
Throughout this season, we will explore the many ways music connects us—to our history, to one another, and to the world around us. We will celebrate the unmistakable voice of America, discover an exciting new orchestral work by composer Chris Brubeck, inspired by the landscapes of the West, and showcase the extraordinary artistry within our own orchestra as several of our musicians step into the spotlight as soloists. We will revisit timeless masterpieces by Mozart, Schubert, Stravinsky, Bizet, and Beethoven, while welcoming outstanding guest artists whose performances will bring new perspectives and inspiration to our stage. Each concert offers its own unique journey, but together they tell a larger story: music has the power to transform how we feel, how we think, and how we connect with one another.
I am especially grateful to share this journey with the people of Wichita Falls. Year after year, your enthusiasm, generosity, and love of music continue to inspire me, our musicians, and everyone who works on behalf of this wonderful orchestra. Even as we perform in venues across our community during the renovation of Memorial Auditorium, your support has reaffirmed something I have always believed: an orchestra’s true home is not defined by a building. It is the community that gathers to listen, imagine, and be moved together.
Whether you are joining us for the first time or have been part of the Wichita Falls Symphony family for many years, thank you for allowing us to share this music with you. I hope you will experience every concert this season with curiosity, open ears, and an open heart.
I look forward to welcoming you throughout the season as we discover, together, all the ways that Music Moves us.
With gratitude,
Fouad Fakhouri
Music Director
Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra