City's culture on display for state audience

Indicators for the state of the symphony orchestra in Texas are allegro and forte, to judge from the ensemble gathering in Abilene today.

Through Sunday, the Abilene Philharmonic is proudly serving as host for some 130 members of the Texas Association of Symphony Orchestras who are arriving for the group's annual state convention, and we are pleased to welcome them to our community.

Representatives will be on hand from orchestras in Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Big Spring, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Houston-North, Irving, Lubbock, Marshall, Midland, Odessa, Plano, Red River, Richardson, San Angelo, San Antonio, Tyler, Victoria, Waco and Wichita Falls. Plus, special guests will be attending from Dallas, Lawton, Okla., and Albuquerque, N.M.

That's quite an impressive assembly, whose purpose is to encourage volunteer support groups of symphony orchestras in Texas.

Considering that in any locale, including Abilene, a city's symphony orchestra is the centerpiece of its cultural life, the TASO's efforts serve a larger community cause throughout the state than merely catering to the tastes of a narrow elite. As products of civilized culture, orchestras also generate civilized culture beyond themselves.

Saturday's concert

Symphony orchestras, however, don't accomplish much if they don't make music. And to foster the development of high standards of musicianship in young performers who will be tomorrow's standard-bearers, the TASO has for the first time held a statewide competition for gifted students. The winners - Houston pianist Mandy Kung, 16, and violinist Stirling Trent, 15, of Colleyville - will be featured during the first half of Saturday night's Abilene Philharmonic concert at 8 p.m. at the Civic Center.

This occasion also puts the Abilene Philharmonic in the spotlight for a statewide audience that knows its stuff, and we're sure there'll be no disappointment in that respect. Under Shinik Hahm, the Philharmonic has reached a level of execution that makes its musicianship second to none.

That and events such as Friday's "Bach's Lunch" noon concert preview on stage at the Civic Center and Saturday's 7:15 p.m. pre-concert primer have increased both attendance and appreciation.

It's a special weekend for Abilene. We're glad to have the TASO in town, and we're proud to have such an accomplished orchestra to put on display for them.