"Professor" Carol Reynolds featured in Tulsa World
May 13, 2007 Tulsa World • James Watts
Reynolds has been talking about the arts — classical music, mostly, but also about Russian art and history, among other topics — for more than two decades.
see the entire article from the Tulsa World

TSO’s 2007-08 season includes
unique mix of musical styles

May 13, 2007 Tulsa World • James Watts
The season begins with “An American Evening,” Sept. 8, with guest conductor Gerhardt Zimmermann, music director of the Canton (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra and director of orchestral programs at the University of Texas.
see the entire article from the Tulsa World


"Broadway Bugs is a
24-Carrot Production"
Apr. 30, 2007 Tulsa World • James Watts

When an audience spends the evening laughing at practically everything an orchestra plays, it usually means something has gone terribly, terribly wrong. Unless, that is, said orchestra is sharing the stage with the likes of Bugs Bunny, Elmer J. Fudd, Porky Pig, Wile E. Coyote and the other characters that sprang from the minds of the Warner Bros. animation studios.
see the entire review from the Tulsa World

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TSO Musicians and Board members attended Formal Consensus workshop with C.T. Butler on April 14-16 at the Renaissance Hotel

TSO Musicians and Board members attended Formal Consensus workshop with C.T. Butler on April 14-16 at the Renaissance Hotel
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Tulsa Orchestra Rises from the Ashes
An article from the TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS (TAHLEQUAH, Okla.)

Another Sell Out performance
of the TSO
Jan. 29, 2007 Tulsa World • James Watts
"This concert simply attracted people who wanted to hear good music played well. And while Saturday night's concert did not have the visual element of the Tulsa Symphony's previous show, it was a grandly theatrical experience. "
see the entire review from the Tulsa World
 

IT WAS SOLD OUT !!
Jan. 8, 2007 Tulsa World • James Watts
First, the news: The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra played to a sold-out house Saturday night in the Chapman Music Hall at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. The last time an orchestral concert even came close to drawing that large of a crowd was about a decade ago, when the Tulsa Philharmonic performed the Ninth Symphony of Beethoven.
Click to see the entire review

November 6, 2006

"A bit of history happened Friday night at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center: The Tulsa Symphony performed its very first concert."

-James D.Watts Jr
Tulsa World 11-06-06
Click to see the entire review

November 3, 2006
Tulsa Symphony Orchestra Day
as proclaimed by Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor
Click to see the Proclamation

July 16, 2006
Tulsa Symphony Orchestra unveils its inaugural season

The first concert by the new orchestra will be held Nov. 3 in the Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Read the complete text article

See the printed Tulsa World Article (Large file)

July 7, 2006
Tulsa Symphony Offices Move to the Tulsa Union Depot

Read The complete text article

Tulsa Depot History at "Best of Tulsa"

  See the printed Tulsa World Article (Large file)

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra Performs "South Pacific" with Light Opera Oklahoma at Tulsa Performing Arts Center

“James Bagwell conducted the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, which is almost a character in itself in this show, given the way Rodgers underscored so many scenes. The orchestra's playing was at once rich and full, and intimate and subtle -- and just one more proof that this ensemble needs to find an identity (and a series of performances) outside of the orchestra pit. It's too good a group to be kept -- literally or figuratively -- out of sight.”
—James D. Watts Jr., Tulsa World

Read the complete text article

See the printed Tulsa World Article (Large file)

TSO Performs "The Sorcerer" with Light Opera Oklahoma at the OK Mozart Festival and for future dates at Tulsa PAC

“but Sullivan’s music here is among his richest, with passages that recall Handel and Mozart. And it was superbly played Saturday by the Tulsa Symphony
Orchestra, under the baton of LOOK
music director James Bagwell”
—James D. Watts Jr., Tulsa World

Read the complete text article

See the printed Tulsa World Article (Large file)

TSO Gala Honors Longtime Tulsa Music Donors

A Gala was held on Tuesday, May 2nd at the Bernsen Center to honor Tulsa longtime music donors. The event was hosted by Roxana and Bob Lorton and Linda and Dr. Marc Frazier, who led a toast “to the rebirth of professional orchestral music for Tulsa and the future of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. There was a reception followed by a concert by the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra under the direction of guest conductor, Kostis Protopapas and featured pianist Donald Ryan, as soloist and guest conductor. The evening showcased the orchestra’s talents and helped explain the “grand vision” that awaits the city and what is being done to get a professional symphony orchestra back on our stage.

Program for the TSO Gala:
Copland Hoedown
Mozart Symphony 35 1st movement
Faure Pavane
Dvorak Slavonic Dance
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Anderson Bugler’s Holiday (encore)
Read the Tulsa World Article (Large File)

TSO Performs at Tulsa Ballet Gala

Stars of the international dance world joined Tulsa Ballet in honoring Dan Buson at a gala on April 9, 2006 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. The entitled Daniela Buson - Celebrating the Gift of Dance featured Buson and reflected on her extraordinary career as a ballerina. The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Tulsa Ballet Music Director, Ramona Pansegrau, performed for the gala. The Tulsa Ballet Company presented excerpts from Cinderella, Lambarena, Rassemblement, L’Amoroso, and Wit Words. The gala was held April 9, 2006 at 7 pm in Chapman Music Hall at the Tulsa PAC.
Read the press release (Large File)

The TSO's Debut Performance with
Tulsa Ballet a Hit!

Feb. 13 - The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra opened its premier season this past weekend to rave reviews! As James D. Watts,Jr., noted in today's Tulsa World: "The TSO brought a distinct and welcome depth and richness to Tchaikovsky's score [for 'The Sleeping Beauty'], playing with a cohesion and power that was thrilling to hear and that seemed to energize the dancers." "The orchestra also featured exquisite solos from its members, including Shannon Scott on clarinet, John Harrison on violin, Kari Caldwell on cello, Rachel Van Voorhees on harp, Lise Glaser on oboe, and Elizabeth Brightbill on flute." In conclusion, Mr. Watts wrote, "Few cities can create an orchestra, as well as a new way for that orchestra to operate, that sounds from the start as accomplished as the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. "Any ordinary city can allow these things to fail, to disappear. Tulsa is not — and should never let itself become — an ordinary city."
Read the Tulsa World Article (Large File)

See a group photo of the Tulsa Ballet and Tulsa Symphony

Mayoral Proclamation

Feb. 10 - On opening night of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra's debut performance with the Tulsa Ballet, the following Mayoral Proclamation was presented by Mayor Bill LaFortune to the citizens of Tulsa.
(click on image below for a larger view).



The following statement was also read by Kathy LaFortune, wife of the mayor:

"I have fond memories of traveling in a school bus to the Brady Theatre to the symphony about 35 years ago, give or take a few. I want the same experience for every Tulsa elementary school child. Tonight we celebrate as Tulsa Ballet and the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra come together for an incredible evening of entertainment. Mayor LaFortune is proud of the efforts of both Dr. Letcher and our TSO members who are working hard to bring the Orchestra back to life. That is why I am here with this special proclamation."






Violin Master Class Sponsored by the TSO

Feb. 10 - A Violin Master Class conducted by John Harrison, Concertmaster of the TSO, was presented on Friday, February 10, 2006, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Performance Hall at ORU. The master class was sponsored by Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and co-sponsored by the Tulsa Youth Symphony
Orchestra and the ORU Music Department.

Read more