Tag Archives: El Paso Symphony Orchestra

After the tragic events of August 3rd, officials with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and their Board of Trustees decided to honor the first responders who helped all in the wake of the shooting.

On Monday, August 12, officials released the following statement.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, music director, orchestra and staff are deeply saddened by the tragedy that took place in El Paso on Saturday, August 3.  We grieve with our community and especially with the victims of this senseless act.

El Paso is blessed to have strong law enforcement agencies and medical teams that came together to respond to this horrific incident with speed and grace.

In recognition of their bravery, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra extends complimentary tickets to all first responders of this incident for EPSO’s concert “Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA” on Saturday, August 24, 2019, 8pm at the Plaza Theatre.

To claim two tickets, first responders should contact the El Paso Symphony Orchestra at (915) 532-3776.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

As the oldest performing arts organization in El Paso and the longest continuously running symphony orchestra in Texas, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra (EPSO) has spearheaded cultural activities in El Paso, and will celebrate their milestone this August.

EPSO will open the season dancing to ABBA’s greatest hits at its 89^th Anniversary Gala on Friday, August 23, 2019, 6pm at the El Paso Country Club, followed by a concert on Saturday, August 24^th at the Plaza Theatre, 8pm, featuring The Music of ABBA performed by the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, full rock band and vocalists.

EPSO’s rich history can be traced to a performance in December 1893.  There were at least eight other attempts to bring symphonic music to El Paso before an orchestra was officially established in 1931.

In the initial performance on January 26, 1931, H. Arthur Brown conducted his first concert with the El Paso Symphony at the Scottish Rite Auditorium.  Brown remained as conductor until 1951.

Since then, EPSO has been under the baton of six conductors.  In 1951, young Italian violinist and conductor Orlando Barera took over the podium for the next 20 seasons. The 41st consecutive season of the El Paso Symphony opened in October 1972 with William Kirschke leading for the next three seasons.

On March 24, 1975, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Association appointed native son Abraham Chavez, Jr. as the new Music Director and Conductor.  Gürer Aykal succeeded Maestro Chavez in 1992.  Sarah Ioannides became EPSO’s first female Conductor in 2005.

Following a 2-year search, Bohuslav Rattay was named EPSO’s Music Director starting with the 2013-2014 Season.

Since its inception, EPSO has made downtown El Paso its home, performing at the Scottish Rite Auditorium, Liberty Hall, Abraham Chavez Theatre and currently in the historic Plaza Theatre.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

To learn more about EPSO and their community involvement, click here.

Tickets for the gala and concert are on sale now online, or call (915) 532-3776.  In addition, tickets for the Saturday concert can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert celebrating America’s Independence on Thurday, July 4, at Biggs Park,  located at 11388 Sergeant Major Boulevard.

EPSO Assistant Conductor James Welsch will lead the El Paso Symphony in a patriotic and pops concert featuring USO Show Troupe in salute of the brave men and women of Fort Bliss and all those who served to protect our country.

“We are so honored to continue this wonderful collaboration with the MWR. This will be our 9^th consecutive year of performing for our troops at Fort Bliss and the El Paso Community” said Ruth Ellen Jacobson, Executive Director of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Association.  “James has put together an exciting and varied program mixing traditional patriotic music, contemporary patriotic music, and pop music performed with the USO Show Troupe.

Biggs Park will be open at 4:30pm and the festivities will begin at 5:30pm with a Cannon “Salute to the Union.”

Concert begins at 7:30pm and the evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks display.

The El Paso Symphony is working with the Fort Bliss, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) to make this event a fun-filled family day for everyone. The MWR will have vendors selling food, drinks and beer and activities for the entire family.

The concert and activities are free and open to everyone.  Visitors need to present valid ID for access to Biggs Park through Biggs gate.  Lawn chairs and coolers are welcome.  Pets, alcohol and glass containers are prohibited.  Food and beer is available for purchase.

RECAP: 9^th Annual Pop Goes the Fort

4:30pm: Gates Open

5:30pm: Cannon Salute to the Union

7:30pm: El Paso Symphony Orchestra with special guests USO Show Troupe followed by Fireworks

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra will be ‘leveling-up’ this weekend as they perform the much-heralded Video Games Live (VGL) show at the Plaza Theatre.

The concert, which – according to the New York Times – “takes the gaming experience light years beyond with a captivating, proudly bombastic show,” is set for April 13, 2019 at 8PM.

The performance includes music from Final Fantasy, Zelda, Mario, Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear Solid, Skyrim, Castlevania, Halo, World of Warcraft, Pokemon and many other games.

VGL was created by industry legend, composer Tommy Tallarico. The multimedia concert introduces new audiences—families, video game enthusiasts and non-gamers—to the symphonic experience with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, well-known Internet solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and interactive segments.

The show spotlights the music that enhances the most gripping video game moments—rescuing the princess, winning the boss fight, saving the galaxy from aliens or defeating the undead—with performances from recent blockbusters and iconic classics.

Praise for the immersive concerts is abundant, with VGL being heralded as a “beautiful performance” (USA Today), “simply breathtaking” (IGN.com), “Thrilling!” (The London Times) and “…a feast for the eyes and ears” (Seattle Times), and “ingenious and fantastic” (Los Angeles Times)

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets for VGL can be purchased at www.epso.org, www.ticketmaster.com, or call the Symphony office at (915) 532-3776, and at the Plaza Theatre Box Office.

Tickets prices are $30, $45, $60 to $75 (plus applicable service charges) and are subject to change.

Video Games Live (VGL) takes the gaming experience light years beyond with a show that combines video game music masterfully performed by the El Paso Symphony Orchestra with the explosive energy of a rock concert in the Plaza Theatre on April 13, 2019 at 8PM.

The performance, called a “captivating, proudly bombastic show” (The New York Times) includes music from: Final Fantasy, Zelda, Mario, Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear Solid, Skyrim, Castlevania, Halo, World of Warcraft, Pokemon and many more games.

VGL was created by industry legend, composer Tommy Tallarico. The multimedia concert introduces new audiences—families, video game enthusiasts and non-gamers—to the symphonic experience with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, well-known Internet solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and interactive segments.

The “ingenious and fantastic” (Los Angeles Times) show spotlights the music that enhances the most gripping video game moments—rescuing the princess, winning the boss fight, saving the galaxy from aliens or defeating the undead—with performances from recent blockbusters and iconic classics.

Praise for the immersive concerts is abundant, with VGL being heralded as a “beautiful performance” (USA Today), “simply breathtaking” (IGN.com), “Thrilling!” (The London Times) and “…a feast for the eyes and ears” (Seattle Times).

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets for Video Games can be purchased via the EPSO website, Ticketmaster online, or call the Symphony office at (915) 532-3776, and at the Plaza Theatre Box Office. Tickets prices are $30, $45, $60 to $75 (plus applicable service charges) and are subject to change.