After a summer of investigating Tyler’s cultural events and institutions, I’m going to be forced to change my mind about the opportunities in our area. I’m beginning to think that those who complain about a lack things to do either have not looked very hard, or simply never take advantage of the existing activities. I’ve been told that many or most, of those who live in New York City, have never actually been to a Broadway play, or visited the many museums in town on the basis that those are tourist attractions. Most New Yorkers are simply too busy with the day to day business of life to mingle with the City’s visitors or take in opportunities that surround them all the time. Perhaps in a small way we Tylerites are the same way. Well, there is a particular series of concerts beginning this fall that I hope East Texans will take the opportunity to enjoy. It’s one of our greatest area traditions, and it’s beginning its sixty seventh season. Of course I’m referring to the East Texas Symphony Orchestra (ETSO).

            The ETSO was first formed in 1930, but took a fourteen year hiatus during the Second World War, and reopened again in 1950. It came to be known by its current name the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, in 1954. Over the years the Symphony has had tremendous community support. Financial support comes from the generosity of individuals in the community, corporate giving and local civic organizations. In a year of economic turmoil, the Symphony finds itself in greater need of financial contributions and has launched a public fund raising campaign to that end. As of the 1997- 98 season the Orchestra has performed largely at the Cowan Arts Center at the University of Texas at Tyler, but in the past some of the favorite performances were its concerts in the park.

            The 2010- 2011 concert series kicks off on September twenty- fifth with a performance by 2009 Van Cliburn Competition winner, Haochen Zhang. On December fourth, the ETSO partners with the Tyler Junior College, Academy of Dance to present Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. On January fifteenth, the East Texas Symphony Orchestra presents Disney in Concert, a performance of some of the production company’s best loved music. Finally, on April thirtieth the ETSO will say goodbye to music director and conductor, Per Brevig, with a performance entitled Bravo Brevig, featuring guest musicians, Elena Urioste and Derek Hawkes.

Season tickets and packages are on sale now. For more information or to make a donation to the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, visit their web site at http://www.etso.org/index.php. Or for reservations, call their office at 903-566-7424.      end_of_the_skype_highlighting