Performance to Feature Former Houston Symphony Conductor
Music lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy the work
of a master at his craft when the School of Music at Sam Houston
State University presents A. Clyde Roller as guest conductor
on Saturday evening, March 6, at 7:30 in the Killinger Auditorium
of the Criminal Justice Center
.
Roller, along with conductor Carol Smith, will direct the
SHSU Symphony in the performance of Beethoven's complete "Symphony
No. 5 in C Minor, Opus 67," Mahler's "Symphony No.
4 in G Major," and Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet
Fantasy Overture." SHSU music faculty Kristin Hightower
will be the featured soprano.
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| Clyde Roller |
Roller has been rehearsing with the students, and Smith---who
was once Roller's student---said it is amazing what he has
accomplished with them.
"He just works miracles," Smith said. "Our
kids never knew they could play at that level."
And although he is almost 90 years old, Roller appears to
be rejuvenated once he picks up a baton and stands before
his musicians.
“He has the energy of a 25 year old,” said Smith.
Roller has been recognized internationally for his contributions
to music not only as a conductor, but also as an educator.
He served for many years as resident conductor of the Houston
Symphony, and musical director and conductor of the Lansing
(Michigan) and Amarillo symphonies. He has appeared as guest
conductor of orchestras from Portugal to New Zealand, where
his return engagements won him unprecedented critical and
public acclaim.
 |
| Roller called Kristen Hightower a "world
class soprano." |
In the United States, he appeared in Boston
as the repeated guest of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Symphony.
Other American engagements have included guest conducting
the Alaskan Festival in Anchorage and serving as principal
guest conductor of the Oklahoma Symphony. He has conducted
tours with the Arkansas Symphony, concerts in California,
and concerts with orchestras in Fort Worth, Corpus Christi
and San Antonio.
Roller is the founder of the orchestra program at the University
of Houston. He has served as professor of ensembles at the
University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, The
University of Texas-Austin, The University of Wisconsin-Madison,
the University of Michigan, and Southern Methodist University.
He has been conductor and faculty member at the Interlochen
Center for the Arts---a training site for young musicians,
dancers, actors, visual artists and writers to explore and
develop their talents---for over 50 years.
He began his career as an oboist, which led to positions as
principal oboist of the Tulsa Philharmonic, the Oklahoma Symphony
and the Birmingham Symphony.
He has been the recipient of many honors including the Texas
Orchestra Director of the Year, Outstanding Educator of America,
and he was given a special citation by the American Bandmasters
Association in recognition of distinguished contributions
in the interests of bands and band music in America.
The March 6 performance is open to the public and the admission
charge is $8 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and non-SHSU
students. For additional information, contact the Sam Houston
State University School of Music at 936.294.1360.
-END-
Media Contact: Julia May
Feb. 27, 2004
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.
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