Our Conductor

Dr. Jay Dunnahoo
Symphony of the Hills
Conductor & Artistic Director

Dear music lovers and friends,

Thank you for supporting great music in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. It is our pleasure to present this season’s concert performances to such a wonderful and appreciative audience.

As you know, we have taken a “leap of faith” in 2007 in doubling the number of performances of each our concerts. During the past several years the orchestra has virtually sold out every performance here in the Cailloux Theater. We have viewed this with both happiness and frustration – we were happy that so many of you purchased season tickets ensuring a full house at every concert. Our frustration has come as a result of our inability to provide seating to additional potential concert attendees. Also, we have a policy of admitting students to our concerts free of charge, but few students have been admitted the past few years because all seats have been sold. Since we cannot increase the seating in the theater, we have doubled the performances of each concert.

The “leap of faith” now enters into the formula as the orchestra’s concert costs have also increased. For the two-performance concerts, we now use the theater for a six-day span of time rather than the former three days, which results in additional theater rental fees. Personnel costs also have increased, as our musicians will now be paid for the additional performances. Others costs have also increased proportionately.

This means that our main focus this season must be to increase awareness of the orchestra in the Hill Country. We must attract more people to attend at least one concert, giving us an opportunity to show them that the orchestra is one of the beautiful surprises in the area. If they will “give us a listen,” we believe a great many will become regular concert attendees, just as you have done.

Please join us in our “leap of faith” by bringing friends and introducing them to our concerts. You will be doing a favor for both your friends and the orchestra.

All the best,

Jay B. Dunnahoo, Ed.D.
Conductor and Artistic Director

Dr. Dunnahoo wins National Award

What an amazing community with such an array of special opportunities for those of us lucky enough to live in the Hill Country. Last week, we were fortunate enough to attend another excellent performance by our Symphony of the Hills. Its conductor Dr. Jay Dunnahoo led the orchestra in a varied and rewarding program. How many other cities our size have such a fine and polished symphony to enjoy? The string section was especially solid with a maturity of sound that was most gratifying. It was a thoroughly enjoyable performance.

The importance and timing of Dunnahoo's arrival in Kerrville was extremely important to the musical development of our community. A former Texas Orchestra Conductor of the Year with a wealth of experience and success in music education, Dunnahoo began working with the Hill Country Youth Orchestras soon after his move to Kerrville. He headed the faculty at a critical point in the development of the HCYO and set the HCYO on the road to the excellence it now enjoys. For years, Dunnahoo met KISD superintendents urging support for a public school string program. The arrival of present KISD superintendent Dan Troxell signaled the farsighted leadership needed for such an opportunity for Kerrville. Dunnahoo then urged the hiring of Patricia Lee as the leader of the KISD program. Suddenly, more children could participate in the joy of the orchestral experience with all its benefits through excellent teaching.

There was still more for Dunnahoo's musical dream for Kerrville. Under his leadership and baton, our Symphony of the Hills was born. The growth in excellence of the orchestra has been nothing short of amazing! The artistry and technique of the individual players has skyrocketed as more demanding music and greater opportunities for rehearsal have increased the skills of each player.

Dunnahoo brought Long Zhou to the SOH. Anyone who heard our amazing concertmaster play Paganini at the last concert can easily understand his importance to the orchestra. He is an amazing player and a charming performer.

We can be grateful for so many leaders in our community, but none more than the man who has brought us so much beauty through music resulting from his tireless efforts, his vision for the future and his considerable talent.

It behooves us to demonstrate our appreciation by continuing to support OUR Symphony of the Hills with our attendance and our gifts. Thank you, Jay. Let the music continue!