According to Dr. Keith Graumann, conductor of the Big Spring Symphony, Maestro Giordano has had a colorful and interesting career, working with many of the world’s premier orchestras and artists.  

“This is a great opportunity for those who have never had a chance to visit with the maestro,” said Dr. Graumann.

The cost of the evening’s meal — which is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Big Spring Country Club — will be $12.95 plus drinks, payable directly to the Big Spring Country Club. Graumann said the public is cordially invited,  and is asked to RSVP with the Symphony Office at (432) 264-7223. Season tickets will be offered for sale at the event.

Graumann said this year's four-concert series — which will begin the 2008-2009 season with “Great Friends” Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Municipal Auditorium — promises to include something for everyone, from classic favorites and dance to American cowboy music and poetry.

“We have invited long-time friend of the Big Spring Symphony Maestro Giordano to again conduct the first concert of the season,” said Graumann. “We will also feature violinist, good friend and renowned artist Dr. Kirsten Yon, playing the popular Mendelssohn 'Violin Concerto in e minor.'”

Also to be performed on the opening concert are Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Festival Overture,” the overture to “Die Fledermaus (The Bat),” by Strauss, and the first movement of  Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony.”  

In addition to the opening “Great Friends” concert in September, the Symphony Association has planned three other events.  The “Nutcracker” ballet will be presented Dec. 20 by the full orchestra, joined by the entire cast and production crew of the Midland Festival Ballet.  

Graumann said “Audience Choice,” a request-inspired concert, will be presented Jan. 31.

“Our listeners have made a lot of musical requests to me over the years, and the same pieces keep coming up.  I decided that it would be really fun to put a number of these requests on the same concert,” said Dr. Graumann. “From the ‘Hebrides’ overture to  Ravel’s ‘Bolero,’ we’ll finally be honoring a number of the requests.”

Also on the “Audience Choice” concert will be returning artist Sijing Ye, who will play movements from the most requested piano concertos.

The final concert of the 2008-2009 concert series will be presented March 21 and is titled “The Bard and the Balladeer,” according to Graumann. Renowned cowboy crooner Don Edwards will team up with cowboy poet and comedian Waddie Mitchell and the Big Spring Symphony Orchestra in an evening of traditional music and prose.

All concerts will be presented in the Big Spring Municipal Auditorium at 8 p.m., with the exception of “Nutracker” which will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Season tickets are also available at First Bank of West Texas, Fayes Flowers, Blum’s Jewelers, the Heritage Museum, Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce and the Big Spring Herald. Individual ticket prices are $15 adults, $10 senior and $5 student. Season tickets include four tickets that may be used at any concert, and show substantial discounts over individual ticket prices. Season ticket prices are $50 for adults, $30 for seniors and $15 for student.  

For further information or to request a season brochure, contact the Symphony Office.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it