A MUSICAL LEGACY FINDS HOME IN WEST TEXAS
When Dr. Conrad Sclar won the Principal Violist position with the West Texas Symphony four years ago, our community gained not just an exceptional musician but a fourth-generation musician whose passion for performance and education has enriched our cultural landscape immeasurably.
“I’m a fourth-generation musician,” Conrad shared. “My mom was an elementary music teacher for around 35 years. My dad was a professional pianist. He was in a trio that won competitions and toured the world.”
This musical heritage led Conrad on a path that, while briefly diverging toward medical studies, ultimately returned to his true calling. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Boulder, earning his master’s at Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and returning to Boulder for his doctorate, Conrad faced what might have seemed like the worst possible timing for a performing arts graduate: May 2020, the height of the pandemic.
Finding His Way to Midland
After a stint in construction followed by a remote IT job for IBM, Conrad jumped at the chance to audition for the West Texas Symphony.
“The West Texas Symphony was the first job post. I practiced hard, came down here, got lucky and won it and didn’t look back,” he recalled.
Soon after joining the symphony, Conrad was invited to teach at the University of Texas Permian Basin, where he’s been instructing violin, viola, and music theory for four years. He is also part of the Permian Basin String Quartet.
A Symphony That Stands Apart
What makes the West Texas Symphony special? According to Conrad, it’s the rare combination of musical excellence and genuine camaraderie.
“Maestro Lewis has done a great job of building camaraderie and a collegial atmosphere,” Conrad explained. “In a lot of ways, that is actually hard to find. To be able to play with an orchestra once a month where everybody’s playing well, and everybody wants to play well, is nice.”
This exceptional environment has allowed the symphony to grow artistically and tackle an increasingly challenging repertoire. Conrad points to this past season’s Strauss concert as a watershed moment.
“The Strauss concert is the first concert we’ve had in my four years where the orchestra was pushed, the level of playing was necessarily pushed,” he shared. “That music is hard, and the orchestra stepped up, and we played it all well.”
More Than Just Music
Conrad emphasized that the West Texas Symphony isn’t just important for music lovers — it’s vital to the entire community's cultural and educational landscape.
“I’m trying to think of how many members we have in the orchestra who aren’t local teachers, either in the grade schools or privately or at the university,” he reflected. “I think everybody in the orchestra who is a full member of the orchestra teaches.”
This deep integration into the educational fabric of Midland-Odessa means the symphony helps attract and retain teaching talent in our area. Beyond that, Conrad notes the profound impact music education has on young people.
“There are countless kids I’ve met who say, orchestra, band, choir, theater — these are the places where I can just be myself,” he explained. “In a community that’s so transient because of the oil industry, that space is incredibly important for kids and their families.”
Support What Makes West Texas Special
The West Texas Symphony offers our community world-class orchestral performances that rival those in much larger urban centers. As Conrad explained, this orchestra provides not just beautiful music, but educational opportunities, safe spaces for our youth, and cultural enrichment for all of West Texas.
Your donation directly supports:
- Eight main stage performances per year
- Intimate chamber music series
- Educational programs reaching thousands of local students
- Retaining exceptional musical talent in our region
Help us ensure this cultural treasure continues to thrive in the desert we call home. Make your tax-deductible donation to the West Texas Symphony today.
