Concertmaster – Dr. Fabián López

Violinist Fabián López has toured extensively through the United States, Europe, China, and South America, gaining recognition as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. As soloist he has performed with orchestras in the United States, Spain, and France such as Real Orquesta Sinfónica de Sevilla, Hebert Springs Festival Orchestra, Orquesta Filarmonica de Málaga, etc. Fabián was a member of the Manuel de Falla String Quartet from 2000-2003 and currently is the first violin of the Carlos Chavez String Quartet. In North Carolina he has appeared as concertmaster of the Greensboro and Asheville Symphonies. Currently he is the concertmaster of Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.

In the pedagogical terrain, he is an active and dedicated teacher, maintaining a studio of prize winning, talented, and committed students. He taught at the Royal Conservatory of Music“Manuel de Falla” of Cádiz, Spain from 1999 to 2004 and has been teaching at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro since 2007. Regularly he presents master classes through the United States, Mexico, China and Europe. In the summers he teaches at the Richard Luby International Violin Symposium in Chapel Hill and the Eastern Music Festival.

Fabián has a very diverse and extensive education that makes him “…a violinist that has everything…” and “…expressively thought with distinctive flair…” according to the press. At age eighteen he received a scholarship from the Hispanic-American Joint Commitee/Fullbright Commission to continue his studies in the United States. He holds degrees from the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Málaga (Spain), Baylor University (MM), and The University of Michigan (DMA). He has also studied at Louisiana State University, San Francisco Conservatory, and Reina Sofia School of Music. His teachers have been: Nicolae Duca, Zakhar Bron, Laura Kugherz, Kevork Mardirossian, Camilla Wicks, Bruce Berg, and Andrew Jennings.

Fabian’s love for etudes and infinite curiosity of the trades from the great masters of the past and present, leads him to be the author of a violin etude anthology “Master the Violin Etudes”. This project has evolved to be a YouTube channel with video recordings and explanatory texts as well as a website. Recently, he has released a double album “Opuses Favoritas” with Inara Zandmane:

He performs on a violin made in 1768 on loan by an anonymous donor.

Experience his recordings:

E. Toldra: Soneti de la Rosada

P. Tchaikovsky: Valse Sentimentale

J. Suk: Appassionato

R. Schumann: Sonata No. 1 in D minor Op. Movement 1

2023-2024 Season Concerts

Welcome to our 2023-2024 season! We can’t wait to connect again both inside and outside the concert hall. Scroll down to see the concerts we have planned for you this upcoming year.

In addition to our 7 season concerts, we also have a variety of free Community Concerts and a free concert series called Symphony on Tap.

Save money by purchasing a YOU PICK FOUR subscription (choose tickets to any 4 concerts) or a FULL SEASON SUBSCRIPTION.

Not sure how to navigate our ticketing system? We created a tutorial video for you here!


Spooktacular

Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 7:30pm | Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University

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Featuring spooky selections from well-known composers such as John Williams, Michael Jackson, and Hector Berlioz, Spooktacular is the perfect addition to your Halloween agenda. Join us in your costume for extra fun! You’re in for a treat.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we cannot offer a trolley service for our performance of “Spooktacular” on October 28. If you need assistance, please contact Meghan Woolbright at mwoolbright@fayettevillesymphony.org.

The Four Seasons

Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 7:30pm | St. John’s Episcopal Church

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Join us in the intimate setting of St. John’s Episcopal Church as our Concertmaster, Fabian Lopez, takes you on a journey through Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”, amongst other selections. 

Holiday Pops: A collaboration with Cumberland Choral Arts.

Saturday, December 9 at 7:30pm | Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University

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Due to popular demand, we are excited to present a holiday program this December in collaboration with Cumberland Choral Arts. Featuring favorite holiday songs and masterpieces from composers such as Eric Whitacre, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and John Williams, this concert will take you on an artistic journey through holiday music.

A Strings Serenade

Saturday, January 20 at 7:30pm | Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

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Join us for a special string orchestra performance at Friendship Baptist Church. Patrons can look forward to hearing selections from renowned BIPOC composers such as Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, and Daniel Bernard Roumain. Also featured on this program is Vivaldi’s “Concerto for 4 Violins” and Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings”.  Vivaldi’s “Concerto for 4 Violins” will feature our Concertmaster, Fabián López, Associate Concertmaster, Megan Kenny, FSYO Concertmaster, Halle Adams, and FSO violinist, Holland Phillips.

Update on January 16, 2024: Due to an injury, Brendan Slocumb will no longer be performing with the FSO for this concert. He will be in attendance and providing commentary on stage with Maestro Stefan Sanders. However, the wonderful FSO violinist, Holland Phillips, will be taking his place on Vivaldi’s “Concerto for 4 Violins.”

Brendan will still be signing his books from 4-6pm at City Center Gallery and Books the day of the performance.

Blazin’ Brass

Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm | Haymount United Methodist Church

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The sounds of our mighty brass and percussion sections will fill the air at Haymount United Methodist Church. Featured pieces include Ottorino Respighi’s “Ancient Airs and Dances Suite” and Eric Ewazen’s “Symphony in Brass”.

Music of Appalachia with the Kruger Brothers

Saturday, April 20 at 7:30pm | Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University

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We are thrilled to welcome the Kruger Brothers to Fayetteville to perform alongside the FSO for this special program! You can expect to hear bluegrass music alongside classical masterpieces such as Copland’s Appalachian Spring on this exciting and collaborative program. 

Bad To The Bones with the Joseph Alessi

Saturday, May 11 at 7:30pm | Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University

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You won’t want to miss our season closer with special guest Joseph Alessi, the principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic. Alessi is a Grammy Award-winning musician who has performed with orchestras all over the world, and we are honored that he’s chosen to share his talents with our Fayetteville community.

Jessica Caviness – Violin

Jessica Caviness has been playing violin since she was three years old, when she heard the instrument for the first time and fell in love with it. She studied under Nora Smilovici for the next fifteen years, and played with the symphony orchestra at UNC Charlotte for five seasons,
starting at the age of eleven. As a teen, she participated in the Union Symphony Youth Orchestra for two years, serving as concertmaster for one year. She also performed with the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra for one year. During the summers, she attended Cannon Music Camp, the Luby Violin Symposium, and Eastern Music Festival.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied under Dr. Fabián López. During her time in Greensboro, Jessica held a position with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra for two years. She
also holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of Wyoming, where she served as concertmaster of the UW Symphony Orchestra, and studied under Dr. John Fadial. Jessica enjoys performing as a soloist, as well as performing in ensembles, and she loves playing chamber
music. She also enjoys working on original music in her duo with flutist Rachael Lawson, called
Jess and Rae. Jessica currently resides near Charlotte, North Carolina, teaching private violin lessons
and playing with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. She hopes to continue writing and producing original music and giving solo recitals, with the goal of inspiring her students and her community by sharing her love of music.

Endowments

Consider contributing to the FSO endowment, individual giving, or legacy giving. Click on the button below to view the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s Guide to Giving.

2015 Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra Endowment Video Courtesy of Moonlight Communications.

Since 1956 the Symphony has educated, entertained, and inspired generations.  Resources are needed to continue the legacy.  Ticket sales, sponsorships, grants, sales, and gifts provide annual operating revenue.  Legacy Giving ensures that the brilliant performances of the Symphony continue.  Legacy Giving creates financial stability, attracts instrumental talent, and builds lasting relationships.

Supporting the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra endowment ensures that our programs can continue to impact future generations. 

Our endowment fund is held by Cumberland Community Foundation and was established with a gift from Berte Howell to endow the Assistant Concertmaster chair.

Your Legacy Gift will Educate, Entertain and Inspire.

Consider a gift of cash, an insurance policy, a gift in your will, appreciated stock, real estate, and other tangible property towards the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra endowment fund.

Or, establish your own endowment fund to support the Symphony.  Your gift will ensure that the Symphony plays on and on and on.

To learn more about giving options through the FSO Endowment Fund, please call the Symphony Office at (910)433-4690 or the Cumberland Community Foundation at (910)483-4449.

Endowed Chairs

In order to build a stable financial base for the FSO into the future, an Endowed Chairs Program was instituted in 2004 at the Cumberland Community Foundation with a gift made by Mrs. Berte Howell.

We honor our chair-holders and their loved ones with permanent listing in the concert program. Chair naming opportunities begin at $35,000. 

To learn more about our Chair Underwriting program, call the FSO office at (910) 433-4690.

All endowments are held at Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc., PO Box 2345, Fayetteville, NC 28302 (910)483-4449

 Conductor’s Podium

The Fouad K. Fakhouri Endowment for Artistic Excellence

Given by Anonymous Donors

In Honor of Fouad Fakhouri, Music Director 2004-2016

Youth Orchestra Endowment

Gillie Shaw and Riddick Revelle Youth Orchestra Scholarship Endowment

Given by Gillie Revelle

Concertmaster Chair

Will Gillis Military Appreciation Endowed FSO Chair

Given by William John Gillis

This chair is currently held by Dr. Fabian Lopez.

Principal Players’ Society

Principal Viola | Principal Viola Endowed Chair

Given Anonymously

This chair is currently held by Dr. Clark Spencer

Principal Cello | The Carlos Zukowski Memorial Endowment

Given by Terri Union in loving memory of her husband, Carlos Zukowski

This chair is currently held by Jesse Smith (Acting Principal)

Principal Flute | The Barbara Terry Chair

Given by Ellenor and Dan Barker

This chair is currently held by Sarah Busman.

Principal Oboe | Grace Butler Keith Chair

Given by Anne and Tom Keith

This chair is currently held by Jessica Miller.

Principal French Horn | Robert Drake Chair

Given by Robert Drake

This chair is currently held by Steve Skillman.

Principal Trumpet | Susan and Richard Shereff Chair

Given by Susan and Richard Shereff

This chair is currently held by Dr. Tim Altman.

Principal Tuba | Phoebe Edna Williams Curl Chair

Given by Edna Curl (posthumously)

This chair is currently held by Jarrod Williams and Nicholas Psihountas (Acting Principals).

Principal Piano | Principal Piano Endowed Chair

Given Anonymously

This chair is currently held by Dr. Scott Marosek.

Players’ Society

Assistant Concertmaster | Berte Dean Carter and AA Howell, Jr. Endowed Chair

Given by Berte D. Carter Howell

This chair is currently held by Megan Kenny

Second Violin | Leroy Anderson Chair for the Last Chair in Second Violins

Given Anonymously

This chair is currently held by Jessica Caviness.

Second Viola | Dr. Glen Kenney Memorial Chair

Given by Elizabeth Keeney in loving memory of her husband.

This chair is currently held by David Phillips. 

Second Cello | Deborah and Walter Greene Chair

Given by Deborah and Walter Greene in memory of Aliene S. Greene

This chair is currently held by Paul Kirkpatrick.

Second String Bass | William F. Grimes and Frances Loy Grimes Endowment for String Bass

Given by Frances Loy Grimes

This chair is currently held by Stuart McLemore. 

Second Clarinet | Michael and Lynette Green Chair

Given by Michael and Lynette Green in loving memory of the Samuel Fine Family, John and Ursula Green and Carlos Zukowski

This chair is currently held by Nathan Miller-Olawsky.

Second Trumpet | The Marion Cusak Vonnegut & Norbert Josef Vonnegut Chair

Given by Joseph Vonnegut and Family

This chair is vacant.

Other Endowments

Shirley & Jim Konneker Endowment for the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra

Given by Shirley and Jim Konneker

Musicians

Violin I

Dr. Fabián López, Concertmaster | Will Gillis Military Appreciation Chair

Megan Kenny, Associate Concertmaster

Holland Phillips

Jayon Felizarta

Lisa Gattuso 

Chang Zhang 

Violin II

 Randolyn Emerson, Acting Principal

Laura Eis

Laurel Wachtler

Jessica Caviness

Carey Sleeman | Leroy Anderson Chair for the Last Chair in Second Violins

Viola

Dr. Clark Spencer, Principal | Principal Viola Endowed Chair

David Phillips | Dr. Glen Keeney Memorial Chair

Kristin Stiteler

Warren Ferguson

Dennis Malloy

Cello

Jesse Smith, Acting Principal | The Carlos Zukowski Memorial Endowment

Paul Kirkpatrick | The Deborah and Walter Greene Chair

Barbara Shipp

Bass

Rebecca Marland, Principal Bass

Stuart McLemore | William F. Grimes and Frances Loy Grimes Chair

Andrew Beach

Chris Buddo

Woodwinds

Sarah Busman, Principal Flute | Barbara Terry Chair

Linda Lane, Second Flute

Alison Mossey, Third Flute/Piccolo

Jessica Miller, Principal Oboe | Grace Butler Keith Chair

Ronnal Ford II, Second Oboe/English Horn

Matthew Covington, Third Oboe

Joshua Bottoms, Principal Clarinet

Nathan Miller-Olawsky, Second Clarinet | Michael and Lynette Green Chair

Dr. Catherine Keen Hock, Third Clarinet/Bass Clarinet

Patrick Herring, Principal Bassoon

Dr. Rebecca Libera, Second Bassoon

Helena Spencer, Third Bassoon/Contrabassoon

Brass

Steve Skillman, Principal Horn | Robert Drake Chair

Alex Williams, Second Horn

Bill Tyler, Third Horn

Mark Jones, Fourth Horn

Dr. Timothy Altman, Principal Trumpet | Susan and Richard Shereff Chair

Vacant | The Marion Cusak Vonnegut & Norbert Josef Vonnegut Chair

Marisa Youngs, Third Trumpet

Jesse Rackley III, Principal Trombone

Dr. Chad Horsley, Second Trombone

Matthew Parunak, Bass Trombone

Jarrod Williams, Principal Tuba | Phoebe Edna Williams Curl Chair

Percussion

Stephanie Wilson, Principal Timpani

Victoria Nelson, Principal Percussion

Dr. Daniel McCloud

Dr. Quintin Mallette

Dr. Joseph VanHassel

Harp

Winifred Garrett

Piano

Dr. Scott MarosekPrincipal Piano Endowed Chair

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To Educate. To Entertain. To Inspire.

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1956 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is a professional, regional orchestra whose mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as the leading musical resource.  Praised for its artistic excellence, the Symphony leads in the cultural and educational landscape for Fayetteville and the southeastern North Carolina region.

The Fayetteville Symphony typically performs 8 concerts during any given season performing both at Methodist University and Fayetteville State University. Partnerships with other agencies include collaborative performances with Cape Fear Regional Theatre, chamber concerts at St. John’s Episcopal Church, as well as the city’s annual Independence concert with fireworks. The Symphony brings music to the schools and the community by performing educational concerts, as well as having its own Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra, after school strings and summer music camps.

This organization is supported in part by a space grant from the BB&T Term Endowment of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc.


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Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 302
Fayetteville, NC 28302

Office Location:
310 Green St., Suite 101
Fayetteville, NC 28301
P: (910) 433-4690
F: (910)433-4699
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday
9:00am-5:00pm

info@fayettevillesymphony.org

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra

310 GREEN ST., SUITE 101
Fayetteville, NC 28301

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