History
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra (EPSO) can trave its origin from 1893, when Frederich R. Kotch made an organization. In 1929, the Symphony Society was established and the first conductor was Hine Arthur Brown in 1930. He conducted for 21 years.
Brown is a American orchestral conductor who studied music at Juliard and the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau. Besides conducting at the EPSO, Brown conducted at Louiseville Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra, and Australian Symphony Orchestra. Brown, who was a Juliard school teacher, went to Las Cruces to teach violin, and his contract required him to conduct in El Paso.
During his years of conducting at the EPSO, he first secured contributions, musicians, and instrument. During rehearsals, they rented the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Their first successful concert was on January 26, 1931 at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Soon after that concert, the El Paso Symphony Association became a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation that handled the business of the orchestra. Because of Brown's hard work, the EPSO increased its musicians, and earned national recognition through raido broadcasts and print. It also established symphony presence and influenced the city's musical life. It also became the cause to establish UTEP's music department. Also, the influence of the EPSO nearly tripled the number of music teachers and shops. On March 26, 1951, Brown had his final concert before retiring.
Brown is a American orchestral conductor who studied music at Juliard and the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau. Besides conducting at the EPSO, Brown conducted at Louiseville Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra, and Australian Symphony Orchestra. Brown, who was a Juliard school teacher, went to Las Cruces to teach violin, and his contract required him to conduct in El Paso.
During his years of conducting at the EPSO, he first secured contributions, musicians, and instrument. During rehearsals, they rented the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Their first successful concert was on January 26, 1931 at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Soon after that concert, the El Paso Symphony Association became a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation that handled the business of the orchestra. Because of Brown's hard work, the EPSO increased its musicians, and earned national recognition through raido broadcasts and print. It also established symphony presence and influenced the city's musical life. It also became the cause to establish UTEP's music department. Also, the influence of the EPSO nearly tripled the number of music teachers and shops. On March 26, 1951, Brown had his final concert before retiring.
In 1951, Brown was replaced by Orlando Barera. When he was the conductor, Barera added challenging symphonic works. He also expanded the budget and increased punblic support. However, he died in 1969, and he was replaced by William Kirsch.
Kirsch stablized the El Paso Symphony Association's finances, but things really didn't work out between him and his musicians. They had disagreements over the music pieces, rehearsal schedule, and procedures. So, the Symphony Board fired him in 1974.
Abraham Chavez, a member of the EPSO since 1940, was named the symphony conductor in 1975. He made EPSO the most professional performing group and the best-funded performing organization in El Paso. He also started and worked with the youth ofchestra, while providing better salary to the musicians. In fact, the El Paso Convection and Performing Arts Center named tha main concert hall after him in his honor.
Chavez was replaced by Gurer Aykal in 1992. He took the EPSO on tours to Germany in 1996, and to Turkey in 2000. He retired in 2004.
The first female conductor, Sarah Ioannies, replaced Aykal in 2005. She expanded the youth orchestra. She stepped down after the 2010-11 season, which was the 80th season for the EPSO.
The current conductor is Bohuslav "Ba" Rattay.
The current conductor is Bohuslav "Ba" Rattay.