Conductor

### Event Description: American Stories Concert

**Event Title:** American Stories

**Date and Time:** Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 7:30 PM

**Venue:** Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center

**Conductor:** Gary Lewis

**Featured Soloist:** Ethan Blake, Cello

**Program:**
- **Cello Concerto in B minor** by Antonín Dvořák
- **Symphony No. 1** by William Grant Still

**Event Details:**
Join us for an enchanting evening of classical music at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. Under the baton of esteemed conductor Gary Lewis, the orchestra will perform a captivating program featuring Antonín Dvořák's Cello Concerto in B minor and William Grant Still's Symphony No. 1. The concert will showcase the extraordinary talents of cellist Ethan Blake, who has performed internationally and garnered numerous accolades.

**About Ethan Blake:**
Ethan Blake is a distinguished cellist known for his performances across the United States, Italy, and Japan. He has been a fellowship recipient at prestigious festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy. Ethan has won several competitions, including the T. Gordon Parks Concerto Competition and the Pikes Peak Philharmonic Concerto Competition. He has served as Assistant Principal Cello in the Boulder Philharmonic and has performed with various esteemed orchestras, including the Colorado Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic. Currently, Ethan is pursuing a Master’s of Music at the Eastman School of Music.

**Ticketing Information:**
Tickets for the event are managed by the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. All ticketing, security, and venue policies apply.

**Sponsors:**
This event is proudly sponsored by Ann & Ken Hankins, Jr. and Diann & John McKee.

**Note:**
Scheduled programs and individuals are subject to change. 

Don't miss this opportunity to experience a night of exceptional music and artistry. Secure your tickets now and be part of an unforgettable evening!

EPSG:4326

American Stories

Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center

The magic of the holidays takes center stage in our dazzling production of The Nutcracker. The famous story follows Clara on her wondrous journey through the Land of the Sweets. The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra brings Tchaikovsky’s iconic score to life, delivering the famous melodies with passion as the Boulder Ballet’s talented dancers embody the enchantment of the season. The entire family will be delighted by the beauty and artistry of this spectacle, creating a feast for the senses that will become cherished memories for years to come.

The Nutcracker

University of Colorado Boulder

Influenced by his own sunny poem, George Whitefield Chadwick’s symphonic sketch “Jubilee” glitters as the first work on the November 12 program. Composer William Grant Still found his inspiration for the bluesy Afro-American Symphony in gospel, jazz and the words of the illustrious Black poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. Even Beethoven has left his umbrella at home exchanging his signature gloom for azure skies with the tender and beautiful “Emperor” piano concerto performed with crystal clarity by Canadian pianist Sheng Cai. Gary Lewis and Yoona Jeong guest conduct Out of the Blue.

Out of the Blue

Central Presbyterian Church Denver

### Event Description: West Texas Symphony with Barbara Padilla

**Date:** Saturday, October 5, 2024  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Venue:** Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center  
**Conductor:** Gary Lewis  

Join us for an enchanting evening with the West Texas Symphony, featuring the extraordinary Mexican-American soprano, Barbara Padilla. Back by popular demand, Barbara Padilla's captivating stage presence and stunning vocal prowess promise to mesmerize audiences of all musical tastes.

Barbara Padilla rose to fame as the First Runner Up on America's Got Talent, where her performance was hailed by judge Piers Morgan as "the single greatest vocal performance we’ve ever had on America’s Got Talent." Since then, she has enjoyed a successful career performing with multi-Grammy Award-winning artists such as David Foster, Juan Gabriel, Raul Di Blasio, Fernando De La Mora, and Chris Botti. Barbara toured with Juan Gabriel as his featured soloist for the last two years of his life.

Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Barbara is a stage four Hodgkin’s disease cancer survivor. She frequently shares her life story at speaking engagements and performs at cancer fundraiser events. Barbara holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Guadalajara and a master's degree from the University of Houston Moores School of Music.

Barbara continues to perform with prestigious symphonies and top music industry elites. She also gives motivational speaking conferences and appears regularly on various TV, radio, and podcast programs. For more information and to view Barbara’s upcoming appearances, please visit her website at [www.barbarapadilla.com](http://www.barbarapadilla.com).

**Note:** Scheduled dates, programs, and individuals are subject to change. Ticketing is handled by the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, and all ticketing, security, and venue policies apply.

**Proudly Sponsored By:** Dee Anna Arellano EXP Realty

Don't miss this unforgettable concert experience with the West Texas Symphony and the remarkable Barbara Padilla!

West Texas Symphony with Barbara Padilla

Pianist Andrew Cooperstock performs widely as soloist and chamber musician and has appeared throughout six continents and in most of the fifty states, including performances at New York's Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the United Nations; at the Chautauqua, Brevard, and Round Top music festivals, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, and Hong Kong’s Hell Hot! New Music Festival, and on National Public Radio, Radio France, and the British Broadcasting Corporation. With violinist William Terwilliger, as Opus Two, he has recorded a series of critically acclaimed single-composer discs of American music by Aaron Copland, Paul Schoenfield, George Gershwin, and Stephen Sondheim, among others, and his recording Leonard Bernstein: Complete Solo Works for Piano (Bridge Records and Deutsche Grammophon) was lauded by Gramophone as “winning” and “brilliant.” A Steinway artist, he was recently inducted into the Steinway Piano Music Teachers Hall of Fame. Dr. Cooperstock has served as Program Director of the Saarburg International Music Festival (Germany), faculty member at Adamant Music School, Brevard Music Center, and Round Top Festival-Institute, and is Professor of Piano at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he received the 2020 Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence Award in Teaching and Pedagogy. 

Folk Tales

### Sounds of the Season

**Date:** Saturday, December 7, 2024  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Location:** Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center  
**Conductor:** Gary Lewis  

Join us for West Texas' timeless holiday tradition, "Sounds of the Season." This festive event will feature your symphony orchestra, instrumental chamber ensembles, choral groups, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. 

**Note:** Scheduled dates, programs, and individuals are subject to change. Ticketing is managed by the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, and all ticketing, security, and venue policies apply.

**Proudly Sponsored By:** Claire & Jim Woodcock

Don't miss this enchanting evening filled with the joyous sounds of the holiday season!

Sounds of the Season

### Event Description: Doves & Crocodiles Concert

**Date:** Saturday, January 11, 2025  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Venue:** Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center

Join us for an enchanting evening of classical music at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. The West Texas Symphony proudly presents "Doves & Crocodiles," a concert that promises to captivate audiences with its rich and diverse program.

**Conductor:** Gary Lewis  
**Featured Soloist:** Chris Chance, Clarinet

**Program:**
- **Premiere Rhapsodie** by Claude Debussy
- **Clarinet Concerto No. 1, Mvt. III** by Carl Maria von Weber
- **Symphony No. 2** by Ludwig van Beethoven

**About Chris Chance:**
Chris Chance is an accomplished clarinetist with a dynamic career as an orchestral musician, chamber artist, and soloist. He has performed with numerous prestigious orchestras across North America, including the Arizona Opera, New Mexico Philharmonic, and the Lubbock Symphony. Currently, he serves as the Principal Clarinet of the West Texas Symphony and the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and is a member of the West Texas Winds woodwind quintet. Chris holds a Bachelor of Music degree, a Performer Diploma, and the Performer's Certificate from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

**Ticketing Information:**
Tickets for this event are managed by the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. Please note that all ticketing, security, and venue policies of the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center apply.

**Sponsors:**
This event is proudly sponsored by:
- Denise & Thomas W. Elrod
- Ann Parish & Betty Ann Prentice
- West Texas Symphony Board of Directors

Don't miss this opportunity to experience an evening of exceptional music performed by world-class musicians. Secure your tickets now and be part of a memorable night at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center.

Wts Spotlight

### Event Description: Tony DeSare - The Piano Show Featuring Rhapsody in Blue

**Date and Time:**  
Saturday, March 1, 2025  
7:30 PM

**Location:**  
Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center

**Conductor:**  
Gary Lewis

**Event Overview:**  
Join us for an unforgettable evening with the triple threat singer/pianist/songwriter, Tony DeSare, as he takes you on a musical journey celebrating the timeless piano legends who have become the cornerstone of pop music. The evening will culminate with Gershwin’s iconic "Rhapsody In Blue." Along the way, enjoy Tony's renditions of favorites by Billy Joel, Elton John, Journey, Ray Charles, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

**About Tony DeSare:**  
Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine, Tony DeSare has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances across North America and abroad. From jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall, and headlining in Las Vegas with Don Rickles, DeSare has brought his fresh take on old-school class to audiences worldwide. He boasts four top ten Billboard jazz albums and has been featured on major platforms such as the CBS Early Show, NPR, A Prairie Home Companion, and the Today Show. DeSare has also collaborated with YouTube icons Postmodern Jukebox.

**Recent Works:**  
- "Lush Life" recording debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Chart.
- Released "Song Diaries Vol. 2" in early 2022, now streaming on all platforms.
- Latest single "Paris Always Will Have You" released in early 2024, available on all streaming platforms.

**Accomplishments:**  
- First place in the USA Songwriting Contest.
- Composer of the theme song for the motion picture "My Date With Drew."
- Full soundtracks for Hallmark Channel's "Love Always, Santa" and Lifetime's "A Welcome Home Christmas."

**Upcoming Appearances:**  
- Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
- Virginia Symphony
- Artis-Naples/Naples Philharmonic
- Grand Teton Music Festival
- Chautauqua Institution
- The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall

**Stay Connected:**  
Tony DeSare releases new recordings and videos of standards and new originals regularly on his YouTube channel, Apple Music, and Spotify. Follow Tony on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe on YouTube to stay updated.

**Sponsorship:**  
Proudly sponsored by Gretchen Bell in memory of Frank Bell.

**Note:**  
Scheduled dates, programs, and individuals are subject to change. Ticketing is handled by the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center - all ticketing, security, and venue policies apply.

Don't miss this extraordinary celebration of piano legends with Tony DeSare! Secure your tickets now for an evening of timeless music and exceptional performances.

Tony Desare

Performance opportunities for qualified bands & orchestras on a ticketed daytime concert, with the inclusion of a private clinic session with one of our nationally-recognized educators, Gary Lewis (Orchestra) or Peter Boonshaft (Band).

Symphonic Series for Bands and Orchestras March 2025

Carnegie Hall

**Event: The Rite of Spring**

**Date and Time:** Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 7:30 PM

**Location:** Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center

**Conductor:** Gary Lewis

**Program:** The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky

**Special Feature:** This concert will include our third annual side-by-side performance with local Permian Basin students.

**Additional Information:** 
- Scheduled programs and individuals are subject to change.
- Ticketing is managed by the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, and all ticketing, security, and venue policies apply.

**Proudly Sponsored By:** [Sponsor details not provided in the text]

The Riot Rite of Spring

### Superman In Concert

**Date:** Saturday, May 17, 2025  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Location:** Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center  
**Conductor:** Gary Lewis

Experience the magic of Superman like never before with "Superman In Concert." This extraordinary event brings the iconic 1978 film, directed by Richard Donner and starring Christopher Reeve, to life with a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ triumphant original score live to picture. 

Relive the inspiring origins of the Man of Steel, from his narrow escape from the doomed planet Krypton as an infant, to his formative years in Smallville, Kansas, and his dual life in Metropolis as both mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent and the legendary Superman. 

Don't miss this unique opportunity to see the film that started it all in a completely new way. 

**Note:** All ticketing, security, and venue policies are managed by the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. Scheduled dates, programs, and individuals are subject to change.

**About John Williams:**  
John Williams is one of America’s most accomplished and successful composers for film and the concert stage, with a career spanning over six decades. He has composed music for more than one hundred films, including the Star Wars series, Harry Potter, Schindler’s List, E.T., Jaws, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones. Williams has received numerous awards, including five Academy Awards, twenty-five Grammys, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

**Proudly Sponsored By:**  
[Details of sponsors, if any, can be included here]

Join us for an unforgettable evening that will make you believe a man can fly!

Gary Lewis

Conductor

Events

Upcoming events

Oct 5, 2024

West Texas Symphony with Barbara Padilla · West Texas Symphony

Nov 9, 2024

Folk Tales · West Texas Symphony

Dec 7, 2024

Sounds of the Season · West Texas Symphony

Jan 11, 2025

Wts Spotlight · West Texas Symphony

Mar 1, 2025

Tony Desare · West Texas Symphony

Past events

Sep 7, 2024

American Stories · West Texas Symphony

24 - 26 Nov, 2023

The Nutcracker · Boulder Philharmonic

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in Cello Concerto by Dvořák

West Texas Symphony

Conductor in The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky

Boulder Philharmonic

Conductor in Piano Concerto in A minor by Schumann

West Texas Symphony

Conductor in The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky

West Texas Symphony

Conductor in Der Rosenkavalier Suite by Strauss

West Texas Symphony

Conductor in Symphony No. 1 by Still

West Texas Symphony

Conductor in Superman by Williams

West Texas Symphony

Conductor in Til Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks by Strauss

West Texas Symphony

Conductor in Symphony No. 2 by Beethoven

West Texas Symphony

Conductor in Premiere Rhapsodie by Debussy

West Texas Symphony

Conductor in Clarinet Concerto No. 1, Mvt. III by Weber

West Texas Symphony

About

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