About
photo by TONY CLAXTON
Our History
In 1981, a small group of volunteers met to discuss the possibilities of having a symphony orchestra in Big Spring, TX. They lacked experience but were loaded with optimism and enthusiasm. They incorporated as the Big Spring Symphony Association, Inc., elected officers, recruited other eager volunteers. For the first two seasons, they decided to contract with the Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra to present three concerts each season in Big Spring. On the third season, the group decided to become totally independent. With the umbrella support of the Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Marianna Gabbi, conductor of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, was hired as the first music director and music librarian. She served as the music director from 1983 to 1990.
The Big Spring Symphony Guild was later organized as a support arm to assist in raising funds for the orchestra through social events and promoting music education through several programs, including a music scholarship program.
From the very outset, the Symphony Board aimed for quality orchestral programs, featuring regional, nationally and internationally acclaimed guest artists. In 1983, we sponsored our first annual appearance of the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra. Although, the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra no longer performs, we kept a great relationship with John Read Giordano, Music Director Emeritus of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. He has guest conducted the Big Spring Symphony in many occasions since 1983.
In 1991, Gene Smith was hired as the new music director. He added a “Pops” concert to the end of each season. Also, since 1992 the orchestra has presented a patriotic concert at the Comanche Trail amphitheater called “Pops in the Park” for the July 4th celebration. Her served as music director until 1999. Board president, Stan Hanes directed the orchestra for a season, while the symphony conducted a search for the music director position.
In the Fall of 2001, Dr. Keith Graumann, a Big Spring Native, was hired as Music Director and Conductor. He served on this role until his death on March 10, 2023. He made several contributions to the performing arts culture in West Texas.
The 2023-24 was made with guest conductors. After that period, Dr. Fagner Magrinelli Rocha, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Orchestral Activities at Angelo State University was appointed as the new Music Director on May 7, 2024. Dr. Rocha plans on starting an Educational Concert series, and a brand new Community Series, which will take one free chamber orchestra concert a year to local churches.
The Board of Directors
Dear Friends of the Symphony,
Please join us as we celebrate our 42nd season of the Big Spring Symphony Orchestra! Last season was a very eventful season filled with incredible music and, sadly, the loss of our longtime Music Director Dr. Keith Gruamann. We are in the process of searching for a new Music Director, but in the meantime, we have several guest conductors lined up for this season. We are also looking forward to being back in the Big Spring Municipal Auditorium for our two concerts in 2024 this season!!!
The title of this season is, “The B’s Are A’Buzzin’.” Our season opens September 23, 2022, with “If It Ain’t Baroque,” a performance music entirely from the Baroque period. The concert will feature violin soloist Dr. Fagner Rocha on Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.” Other selections will include a couple of the movements from Johann S. Bach’s “Brandenburg Concertos,” and George F. Handel orchestral works. Our guest conductor for this wonderful performance will be Robert Meinicke.
On December 16th our program will be “Big Spring Brings the Holidays Home.” The soloists will include Baritone Henrik Zetterstrom and Soprano Nadia Kiley. The orchestra will also be joined for several selections by a combined Big Spring Children’s Chorus. Other selections will include a performance of “The Night Before Christmas” narrated by Big Spring’s own Tumbleweed Smith. As usual the audience will be asked to join the orchestra in our annual sing-along! Our guest conductor will be Howard College professor Mark Watt.
On February 17, 2024, we be back in the Big Spring Municipal Auditorium for our annual Pops Concert! This season’s concert will feature “Big Spring’s Own Jody Nix.” Jody and his band have been thrilling audiences for many years, not only locally, but throughout the nation! We are thrilled to have Jody and his band join our orchestra as they present many wonderful Western Swing Band arrangements! Dr. Fagner Magrinelli Rocha, from Angelo State University will be the conductor for this concert. You will not want to miss this opportunity!!!
Our final concert will be held April 27th, and it will be a date you will certainly not want to miss! The title of the final performance is “Beethoven, Brahms and Borodin.” The Orchestra will perform what is probably the best-known Symphony of all time — Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony,” featuring the most famous 4 note theme of all time! The orchestra will also perform some of Johanes Brahms “Hungarian Dances.” The orchestra will be joined by a very large Permian Basin Chorus as we perform Brahms “Schicksalslied” and Aleksandr Borodin’s “Polovetsian Dances” from Prince Igor. It will be a HUGE ending to the season. We are expecting Dr. Robert Hunt to appear as guest conductor.
We know this will be a season you will not want to miss!
Season tickets, as well as tickets for individual concerts are available on our website: www.bigspringsymphony.org
We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at each and every concert throughout the season!
Musically,
Mark Watt, President
Big Spring Symphony Board of Directors
Mark Watt, President
Tammi Biel Warren, 1st Vice President
Natalie Permenter, 2nd Vice President
Deanna Burnett, Treasurer
Teresa Griffin, Secretary
Jobeth Corwin
Bill Griffin
Linda Lindell
Santos Lujan
Susan Markwell
Gabe Martinez
Candice Smalling
Lawrence Thibeault
Matt Warren
STAFF
Dr. Fagner Magrinelli Rocha, Music Director
Cathy Reitzer, Bookkeeper/Music Librarian
Alejos Anaya, Personnel Manager
Gabe Martinez, Stage Manager
Big Spring
Symphony Guild
Our purpose is to support our symphony not only monetarily but to educate our community on the importance of music as a part of our culture.
Fundraising: Program Ad Sales, Tour of Homes and our annual luncheon and fashion show. We sell water and have a “Tips for Scholarships” Jar at every concert. We accept both corporate and private donations.
Education: The Nutcracker in a Nutshell, Instrument Petting Zoo, and The Phyllis Graumann Memorial Scholarship for young musicians. We also mentor students through a volunteer program where they can earn Community Service Hours.
Guild Members:
Suzanne Markwell – President
Jobeth Corwin – Vice President
Courtney Logan – Treasurer
Natalie Permenter -Secretary/Publicity
Ellen Austin – Hospitality
Cora Beth Baker
Earl Permenter
Evalena & Nathaniel Permenter
Nadine & Mike Reyes
Tina Roux
Candice & Raymond Smalling, III
Robin Saffle
Greg Salisbury (Steak)
Cassie Smalling
Savannah Smalling
Support Our Symphony
If you’re interested in learning even more information, or would like to talk to someone from the Big Spring Symphony, give us a shout!