The Conductors
Peter DabrowskiMusic Director and Conductor
“A true concert leaves the audience and musicians on the edge of their chairs”, says Peter Dabrowski, conductor, who in such a way leads his concerts. His interpretations, imbued with great expression, provoke, intrigue and excite, creating much emotion throughout the audience. Full of magnetism, charisma, and love for music, Peter Dabrowski is a conductor devoted to his art. Described by critics as exceptionally talented, his artistic personality wins over both audiences and musicians alike. Great partnership with the soloist and orchestral musicians characterize Dabrowski’s artistic work. Musicians under his baton are creative, involved and disciplined. As a conductor he is able to convey his rich and colorful musical interpretations with authority and scholarship. The final interpretations are not only the result of rehearsals, but are also due to the tremendous level of energy and concentration exerted during the concert. Dabrowski unifies the intensity and many talents of the musicians into one orchestral voice. Musicians enjoy making music with Dabrowski. His passion and musical sensitivity empowers the orchestra. His goal is to create an atmosphere within the orchestra in which each musician feels like an artist. “I present attractive programs not only for the audiences, but, also for the musicians,” says the conductor, for whom the role of concert programming is very important. Dabrowski is the Music Director and Conductor of the Valley Symphony Orchestra and Chorale in Edinburg, TX and the Associate Conductor of the Chicago Chamber Orchestra. He also served as the music director and conductor of the American University Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., the American Youth Concert Orchestra in Northern Virginia, and the Chicago Philharmonic. He is in demand as a guest conductor throughout Europe and the United States. He studied conducting at Northwestern University, the University of Utah, and the Warsaw Music Conservatory in Poland. He also participated in prestigious conducting courses at the Tanglewood Music Center, the Aspen Music Festival, and in Budapest and Miskolc, Hungary. |
Christopher MunnValley Symphony Chorale Conductor
Christopher Munn is Professor of Music at the University of Texas Pan American. He conducts the University Choir and teaches courses in Music History, Music Theory, Conducting, and Student Teaching. Munn received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from West Texas State University, the Master of Music degree, with distinction, from Indiana University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma. The American Choral Directors Association recognized his doctoral dissertation as best dissertation in the field of choral music for 1991. He has studied under several noted choral conductors and teachers, including Julius Herford, Don Moses, George Umberson, Hugh Sanders, and Dennis Shrock. Munn is an expert in the performance practices of early music, and specializes in performance treatises from 1500 to 1800. As a harpsichordist, he has appeared in performances with such famous musicians as Nigel Rogers and Christopher Hogwood. He has performed with several early music ensembles, including the Oklahoma Collegium Musicum and the Texas Baroque Ensemble. He also has appeared as harpsichord soloist with the Valley Symphony Orchestra in J. S. Bach’s Concerto for Three Harpsichords; with the Valley Sinfonette; and at professional meetings. Christopher Munn has been the conductor of the Valley Symphony Chorale since 1985. Under his direction, the ensemble has performed such works at J. S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio; Handel’s Messiah; Verdi’s Te Deum; Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy; Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio; Rossini’s Stabat Mater; Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms; Orff’s Carmina Burana; Verdi’s Requiem; and Brahms’ Requiem. The Chorale performed in New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1994 and again in 1996. |
