Conroe Symphony Orchestra presents Sounds of the West
with premiere of work by Charles Fitts

March 29, 7:30 p.m.

The Conroe Symphony Orchestra presents its fourth concert of the season, Sounds of the West, Monday, March 29, 7:30 p.m. at the Ark Family Church, located at 450 Humble Tank Road in Conroe.

Conductor Dr. Don Hutson will lead the Conroe Symphony Orchestra in a program featuring traditional western-themed tunes, plus the U.S premiere of a work by award-winning Montgomery County composer, Charles Fitts.

Hutson explains that he drew inspiration for the Sounds of the West program from his favorite poet Carl Sandburg. “Sandburg’s poem The People talks about the common man being the backbone of America. This performance will include works of American composers. It will be music of the people.”

And Hutson knows people. Through his company, The Cowboy Solution, he works with corporate and educational leaders, using the same principles he uses to train horses on his ranch near Conroe to examine their philosophies that guide them at work and challenging them to work to build trust and earn respect.

The evening’s program will include Hoe Down and Saturday Night Waltz by Aaron Copland, Pops Hoedown by Richard Hayman, Last of the Mohicans by Trevor Jones, and Home on the Range and Turkey in the Straw, both as arranged by Carmen Dragon. Hutson says he is most excited, however, about performing the Fitts piece.

“In Chisos Epiphany, once again Charles takes the listener on an emotional and almost visual journey into a land of starkness and beauty,” Hutson said. “Every once in a while a conductor gets the opportunity to conduct a work that seems to fit his musical personality. That is what I feel about this work. From the first time I heard it, I knew I understood it and had to perform it.”

Fitts explains that Chisos Epiphany is inspired by the Chisos Mountains in the Big Bend region, where he often hikes while visiting his ranch on the Rio Grande River. “This music is an explicit description of the mystery, history and beauty of these heights and is actually based on one unforgettable experience I had while climbing the Casa Grande peak,” he said. “Upon reaching my destination, I experienced a real epiphany-like feeling. I hope the listener will experience some of this same grandeur in my music.”

Tickets, $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12, are available at the door or by calling the Conroe Symphony Orchestra office at (936) 760-2144 or (888) 823-6610.

For more information, visit www.conroesymphony.org.