Beau Benson- Artistic Director

This is my third season.

What I love most is the people who make up the TSO’s community. Getting to work with the outstanding musicians as well as the board, donors, and volunteers who are so committed to our mission is truly an honor.

I began playing the guitar at age 5, because my father played, and I wanted to be like him.

The many students I’ve taught over the years have been a huge source of inspiration and growth for me.

I love spending time with my family and cooking.

One time I snuck onto the set for “Walker, Texas Ranger” and tried to stand behind Chuck Norris in one of the scenes holding a tennis racket.

I have a particular affinity for the symphonies of Brahms. They beautifully encapsulate everything I love about orchestral music.

There are countless ways to get involved, and all are important. We need the arts more than ever to build community and foster the authentic human connection we all depend on to flourish.

The TSO is a group of highly accomplished musicians who come together to produce something far greater than the sum of its parts.

I hope that attendees come away with the feeling of awe that comes from encountering beauty, as well as a sense of connection with the musicians and other audience members through the shared experience.

The level of musicianship required to play professionally in a symphony orchestra requires a lifetime of devotion. Musicians love what we do, but it is nevertheless an incredibly demanding profession.

Starting several months in advance, I spend hours each day studying, analyzing, contemplating, and forming an interpretation. There is a lot of thinking through the music while I’m doing other things, and it tends to play on loop in my head.

I tend to like most things. It is a bit of a cliche, but my favorite music tends to be whatever I am working on at the moment.

I love the TSO, because it is a genuinely nice group of people who are committed to the music in all the right ways. There is always a positive, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere when we come together that I believe is evident in our performances.

The experience of participating in a live performance is so gratifying, that I am always looking for my next opportunity. It is one of the most fun experiences I know, and it never gets old.

So much fun!