The Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra: A Cornerstone of Irving's Cultural Life
Founded on August 1, 1991, the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) stands as the largest arts organization in Irving, Texas. Dedicated to excellence in the performance of symphonic music, the orchestra enriches the cultural life of the Las Colinas corporate and residential communities while serving patrons across Irving and neighboring cities.
Under the longtime leadership of Music Director Robert Carter Austin, the LCSO presents a season of eight subscription concerts each year at the Irving Arts Center’s Carpenter Performance Hall. The ensemble consists of 93 professional musicians selected through competitive auditions from hundreds of applicants annually. Musicians represent more than 19 nations, and the orchestra regularly features internationally renowned soloists.
Meet the Maestro
A native of Tennessee, Robert Carter Austin is currently in his thirty-third season as Music Director of the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra. His unusually diverse educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Diploma (with Distinction) in Computer Science from Cambridge University, and a Master of Musical Arts degree from Stanford University.
Maestro Austin’s professional career began as Artistic Director of the Chattanooga Opera in 1974. He later served as Artistic Director of the Southern Regional Opera in Birmingham, Alabama (beginning in 1978), Music Director of the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra in Wyoming (1981), and Music Director of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra in Tyler. He has held the post of Music Director of the Garland Symphony Orchestra since 1986, the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra since 1991, and Symphony Arlington since 2000.
In demand as a guest conductor, he has led performances with opera companies and symphony orchestras in eleven U.S. states, as well as with orchestras in eighteen nations across Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Off the podium, Maestro Austin describes himself as a closet country music fan and an unrepentant oenophile. His wife, Dr. Kathryn Gamble, is the Director of Veterinary Medicine at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois.
Performance Venue and Contact Information
All LCSO concerts take place at the Irving Arts Center, located at 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX 75062. The 707-seat Carpenter Performance Hall offers an intimate yet technologically advanced setting ideal for symphonic music.
For general information or questions, contact the orchestra at info@lascolinassymphony.org or call (972) 252-4800. The administrative office is at 4500 Fuller Drive, Suite 205, Irving, TX 75038 (hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.). The mailing address is PO Box 141446, Irving, TX 75014. The organization is funded in part by the City of Irving through the Irving Arts Board.
The Lone Star Youth Orchestra
One of the LCSO’s most important educational initiatives is the **Lone Star Youth Orchestra (LSYO)**, founded in 1999. It is the only tuition-free youth orchestra in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and provides advanced middle school and high school instrumentalists with high-quality orchestral training and the opportunity to perform symphonic literature.
Membership and Eligibility
Membership is by audition and is open to all middle school and high school string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players. Note, however, that only 12th-grade students who have been previous LSYO members will be permitted to participate for their senior year. No incoming seniors new to LSYO will be admitted.
LSYO is designed to support—not interfere with—local school music programs. Students must participate in their school music program(s) if such programs are offered. The only exception is a formal letter from the school’s band or orchestra director stating that the school is aware of and waives this requirement; the letter must be submitted to the LSYO Manager before an audition can be scheduled.
Rehearsals and Performances
Rehearsals are held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:30–9:00 p.m. at the Irving Arts Center and include a snack break. The orchestra presents multiple public concerts each season at Carpenter Hall in the Irving Arts Center. Selected students may also perform side-by-side with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra or Garland Symphony Orchestra and can compete in an annual concerto competition for scholarships and guest artist opportunities.
Current Leadership
Maestro Marvin Garduno currently leads the LSYO (in his second season during the orchestra’s 27th season). A Dallas native and Director of Orchestras at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, he holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from Texas Tech University. His school ensembles consistently earn superior ratings at UIL contests, and his students have competed at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival.
Auditions
All auditions are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested students should begin by reviewing the audition requirements. Additional questions may be directed to the LSYO Manager at (972) 252-4800 or education@lascolinassymphony.org.
Audition registration typically involves emailing the manager to request a form, submitting the completed form along with a $25 refundable audition fee (personal check payable to Lone Star Youth Orchestra), and attending a scheduled 10-minute audition slot at the Irving Arts Center. Preparation includes designated music excerpts, scales specific to the instrument, a short solo piece of the student’s choice (2–3 minutes), and possible sight-reading. No walk-up auditions are accepted.
Community Impact and Education Programs
Beyond its mainstage concerts and the LSYO, the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra reaches more than 10,000 community members each year through educational and outreach programs. These include “It’s a Musical World” participatory concerts for upper elementary students and informal “Informances” that bring musicians to assisted-living facilities, retirement communities, and hospitals.
Through professional performances of the highest caliber and a strong commitment to youth music education, the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra continues to play a vital role in the cultural landscape of Irving and the greater Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. For the latest concert schedules, tickets, and audition details, visit lascolinassymphony.org.
