UH doctoral student Hector Agüero Jr. recently was appointed as FBSO’s music director. In this position, he will lead the orchestra as conductor, serve as its principal representative to the community and coordinate its musical programming. Agüero, the first native Texan to serve in this position, will debut as the orchestra’s music director when it begins its fall concert season Sept. 6 at Sugar Land Town Square in Sugar Land, Texas. Prior to that event, the orchestra will hold a public reception for Agüero and his family following its June 1 concert at the Stafford Centre.
“Conducting a community orchestra is a new and challenging adventure I have sought to undertake,” said Agüero. “To be a part of FBSO at this stage of its development is wonderful. The orchestra and I both have the opportunity to expand and improve our musical ability as we work together in the seasons to come.”
Before arriving at UH, Agüero earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Texas Tech University. When it came time to select a doctoral program, he was recruited by some of the country’s finest music schools. Ultimately, he chose UH’s Moores School of Music (MSM) because of its talented faculty and the fact that it felt like home.
“When I visited the school for the first time, it just felt right,” Agüero said. “Everyone was very welcoming. From the school’s director, David White, to the faculty and staff in the front office, the people I met were very warm and helpful. The school’s talent level also left a big impression on me as its orchestra was by far the best I had heard out of all of the schools I visited.”
Agüero is pursuing a doctor of musical arts and recently completed his tenure as MSM’s Schissler Conducting Fellow. For the past three years, he served as assistant conductor for the Moores School Symphony Orchestra, working alongside mentor Franz Krager, professor of conducting and director of orchestras.
In addition to his doctoral studies and new responsibilities with FBSO, Aguero also serves as the orchestra director for the High School of Performing and Visual Arts in Houston.
“He will take FBSO to another level,” Krager said. “He has the musicianship to lead this orchestra, and he has the personality to help it further connect with the community. I couldn’t be happier for him. His talents are well suited for this endeavor.”
Agüero and four other finalists were selected from 50 applicants. Each finalist had the opportunity to serve as a guest conductor during FBSO’s recent concert season. Of the five remaining candidates, Agüero emerged as the sole finalist due in part to his enthusiasm, attention to detail, sense of humor and work ethic.
“I had a feeling that Hector would be chosen as our new music director,” stated Sina Thompson, FBSO concert mistress. “There was a distinct sense of excitement in the air the very first night we began rehearsing with him.”
Since 1992, the FBSO has performed symphonic music for the community of Fort Bend County. The orchestra consists of 60 members and provides performance opportunities for musicians from the surrounding area. FBSO is supported in part by a donation from the National Endowment of the Arts and the patronage of individual donors. For details on the orchestra, visit www.fbso.org.
The UH Moores School of Music is one of the premier music schools in America. Offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, the school serves approximately 600 students annually. Areas of study include composition, conducting, performance, theory and musicology. Its faculty consists of internationally recognized performers, composers and scholars. Among its ensembles are the Moores School Symphony Orchestra, Moores Jazz Ensemble, Moores Opera Center, Concert Chorale, Concert Women’s Chorus, Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble. A majority of the school’s concerts are performed in the state-of-the-art, 800 seat Moores Opera House. For more details on the Moores School of Music, visit http://www.music.uh.edu/mooresopera/.
Note to journalists: A photo of Hector Aguero Jr. can be accessed at http://www.uh.edu/news-events/archive/nr/2008/05may/h-agueroph.html
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