The Gift of Music

Texarkana Symphony Orchestra conductor Philip Mann enjoys sharing the power of music with audiences and students

by SUZY TURNER

photo by NANCY NOLAN

Philip conducts an Arkansas Symphony Orchestra rehearsal of Puccini’s “La Bohéme” in 2017.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park was the destination for Aleksandr, Philip, Julian and Tatiana during a family excursion last year.

The great American poet, Henry  Wadsworth Longfellow, once said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.”  Texarkana Symphony Orchestra conductor Philip Mann could have easily made this statement himself because he knows that there is no better way to positively change the world than through sharing the power and benefits of music.

Philip’s parents are perfect examples of how committed, talented musicians can change their communities and generations of people through music education. By observing his parents, Philip knew early on that becoming a conductor would allow him to make a huge difference in communities through the art he loves.  “Being a music educator is an opportunity to help young people of all backgrounds reach their full potentials through the myriad benefits of music,” Philip explains.  “Whether conducting world-class orchestras, leading a conducting master class, or introducing a hall full of fourth graders to an orchestra, I have always thought of conducting as educating.  As performers and educators, we spend our time on stage, in the community, or in the opera pit sharing what we are passionate about. It is only the audiences that change.”

Born in Seymour, Indiana, Philip grew up in Durango, Colorado, where he attended high school and “graduated some time back in the last millennium.”  He and his family lived on a mini-ranch in a beautiful valley with horses and breathtaking views.  “Growing up 13 miles on a dirt road from the nearest town wasn’t exactly Vienna or Paris, but our home was an oasis of extraordinary music, incredible visiting artists and friends, and a place of aspiration and dreams,” Philip admits.  He attended Arizona State University, went to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and received his master’s degree at Indiana University.  He then attended the Conservatorium at the University of Sydney and received his Ph.D.  “I have also studied at Moscow Conservatory, Sibelius Academy, and many, many other places,” Philip explains.  “In essence, conducting is the perfect example of a lifelong learning profession, where every experience or study, regardless of subject, is rewarded with enhanced perspective and more nuanced ability to lead and share.”

Philip looks on after Tatiana’s performance as soloist in the new Robinson Music Hall during Manuel de Falla’s “Midnight in the Garden’s of Spain” with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in January 2018.

Philip grew up in a home surrounded by music.  His parents were constantly practicing, friends came by to play chamber music, and incredible soloists shared the dinner table with his family.  Regardless of their future chosen professions, it was assumed that everyone in the family would have music as a constant presence in their lives.  “My mother has always been my most important source of encouragement, whether in music, or any of the other subjects I have pursued.  She has always valued integrity, quality, intellectual honesty and curiosity, and the value of hard work,” Philip admits.  “I have always admired her willingness to support my passions, even when she understood more than most that there were more convenient or easier paths available.”

The Manns with dear friends, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and his wife, Susan, in 2018.

Philip’s wife, Tatiana, is also an extraordinary pianist and musician.  He says that he clearly “married up” and is so proud of Tatiana as a person and a teacher.  “Tatiana actually appeared as a soloist with the TSO long before I ever had a chance to share the Perot stage,” Philip explains.  “I love hearing from people in the region who tell me about those past performances and how much they enjoyed them.  I look forward to us all being there together in the Perot for a brilliant reunion and collaboration.  It is a special thing to have a partner who understands your profession from an inside perspective.”  When asked if their children, Julian (8) and Aleksandr (5), will follow in their parents’ footsteps, Philip says that he and Tatiana “hope music will always be a part of their lives because we can’t imagine a world for them where they don’t benefit from our extraordinary art form.”

Serving as a conductor for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra was a critical and important move for Philip and Tatiana.  At first, they were commuting three ways between San Diego, Sydney, Australia, and Little Rock, but eventually became full-time Little Rock residents in 2010.  “People often assume that the transition to life in the South would be tough for a couple used to London, New York, and other world cosmopolitan capitals,” Philip adds.  “The truth is, the warmth and generosity that we continue to receive in the South is what made it home to us.”  Currently, the Manns live in West Texas, where Tatiana is a piano professor at Texas Tech University and Philip holds a teaching appointment.

During the summer of 2019, Philip became music director and principal conductor for the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra.  The personal connections and chemistry that he felt with the musicians drew him to the position.  “As a guest conductor in a previous season, there was a palpable spark, a mutual passion for our art form, and a sense that a beautiful relationship could lay ahead,” Philip says.  “There was so much energy, talent, and verve in the group.  I loved how they were willing to trust me on stage to take risks.  Having known and previously worked with many of the TSO musicians, I knew what great expertise and commitment Texarkana had in them, and I was intrigued at the possibility of sharing our incomparable art form with a community who has been so warm in its welcome.”  For Philip, another big draw to Texarkana was working with TSO Executive Director Andrew Clark who is supportive and an accomplished musician, also.  Philip is very appreciative of the TSO board of directors and the community for supporting him in his endeavors to contribute toward making Texarkana an even more beautiful place through music.

Regardless of their past experience with live orchestral music, Philip encourages all Texarkana community members to attend a TSO performance and see and hear for themselves how truly great the performances and musicians are.  “There is an intoxicating abandon to the musicians’ willingness to seek spontaneity and freedom that I find invigorating and exciting, and their youthful élan inspires me,” he admits.  “There are also several musicians in the group with an uncommon and rare ability to convey a sense of love and privilege for being fortunate to do what we do on stage, and I personally appreciate that in a profound way.  

“TSO musicians may be stars in the spotlight on the Perot’s stage, but they are also our neighbors and fellow parents or community members.  It is incredible how much talent you may pass in the produce aisle in the grocery store!  Please don’t hesitate to say hello and share with them how their music makes your life and community better.  For a musician, nothing can be more powerful and meaningful to hear.”

Richard and Elizabeth “Beth” Wheeler (godparents of the Mann children), Aleksandr Mann, Philip (narrator), Julian Mann (narrator), Tatiana (pianist), Rochelle Mann (Philip’s mother and flutist), and Stephanie Berg (composer) in the Little Rock Steinway Gallery following the 2019 world premiere performance of Stephanie Berg’s “A Platypus Story,” which was commissioned by and for Philip’s family. His entire family performed or attended the performance.

Looking forward, Philip hopes to continue sharing the stage with amazing artists, friends, and colleagues.  He will do everything he can to bring the audience into a joyful sharing of this musical experience. With the TSO, Philip envisions an emphasis on exquisite quality, exciting and compelling programming, reaching new audiences, broadening the educational impact, helping to advance our community, and doing everything they can to be an indispensable artistic presence in the region.  “I hope to cultivate the deserved pride in everyone for our fantastic orchestra and musicians.  I also personally want to give more people every year an opportunity to fall in love with music, and to make it a meaningful and beneficial part of their lives.  I can’t wait to share my favorite works, artists, friends, family, and colleagues with Texarkana.  I see such extraordinary potential in our orchestra, and ability to help advance and drive the community.  Truthfully, I am overflowing with artist plans, projects and collaborations that I can’t wait to share from the stage of the historic Perot Theatre,” Philip shares. “But in traditional show business fashion, you’ll have to wait until we announce it or can experience it for yourself by coming to hear our fantastic orchestra!”

Throughout Philip’s life, he has experienced many guest appearances all over the world which have allowed him extraordinary experiences and opened many doors.  “Becoming the Vienna Philharmonic’s ‘Karajan Fellow’ at the Salzburg Festival or appearing on Decca Classics with the London Symphony Orchestra in a celebrated Brahms album ... the rewards that I have most treasured have been the comments, letters, and expressions of people who have been positively touched by my music-making,” Philip acknowledges. “Whether it was cards from 5,000 San Diego students who loved the cartoonish, larger than life, characters of an Arnold Schoenberg score, to the comments of a respected colleague upon accomplishing something special, or how I influenced the personal story of a senior, respected orchestral musician, it has always been the rewards of my art form that have meant the most. The shared successes I have enjoyed on the world’s stages have been the awards that mean the most to me.” 

“My advice to young people interested in music and the arts is to practice, read anything they can, be curious about everything, practice, explore the world, become a person with an interesting background and stories to tell, practice, find someone to be a mentor, find a way to maintain a wonder about things, and did I mention ... practice?” 

– Philip Mann