Tulsa Symphony Orchestra at TU features trailblazing conductor - The University of Tulsa
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Tulsa Symphony Orchestra at TU features trailblazing conductor

Jeri Lynne Johnson
Jeri Lynne Johnson

The guest conductor for the David B. Waters collaboration between Tulsa Symphony Orchestra (TSO) and The University of Tulsa will be the trailblazing Jeri Lynne Johnson. The concert with the TSO Chamber Orchestra will be at TU’s Lorton Performance Center at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7.

Johnson became the first Black woman to win an international conducting prize in 2005 when she was awarded the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship. Since then, she has continued to break barriers in Europe and the U.S. as the first woman and/or African American woman on the podium of major orchestras here and abroad.

The maestro will lead the orchestra through the delightful “Respighi Airs and Dances,” Stravinsky’s playful “Suite from Pulcinella” and Mendelssohn’s lively and picturesque “‘Italian’ Symphony 4.”

This concert is made possible through the generosity of the David B. Waters Charitable Foundation. The foundation, under the guidance of Trustee Roger Blais, and the administrative supervision of Melissa Taylor of the Trust Co. of Oklahoma, has continued to generously fund the organizations that Waters supported, furthering his legacy of support and advocacy. It was through the pursuit of Waters’ legacy that the collaboration between Tulsa Symphony and TU was created, merging Waters’ passions for music and education.

The partnership provides many exceptional resources for students to enhance their learning experience and musical skills. Tulsa Symphony provides the David B. Waters String Quintet to serve at TU as artists-in-residence and mentors, teaching masterclasses for students and performing recitals, which are free and open to the public. The mentoring program professionally supplements classes and programs, providing students with excellent opportunities for continued professional input, training, and development.

Music students also can attend dress rehearsals for the TSO at TU performances, as well as rehearsals for the David B. Waters String Quintet recitals, which take place during TU’s weekly recital class, to increase their access to professional performance experiences.

These resources are not limited to the School of Music and are available to all students participating in TU’s instrumental ensembles, regardless of major or program.

A limited number of free tickets for Tulsa Symphony Orchestra at TU are reserved for TU students and faculty through the School of Music. Tickets are available to the public by calling the TSO office at 918-584-3645.