Dear participants, musicians, and music enthusiasts,
It is my immense pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all of you as we host the highly anticipated APAC Orchestra Festival on our campus. We are thrilled and honored to bring together talented musicians from across the region for this extraordinary celebration of music.
Music has the remarkable power to transcend borders, cultures, and languages, and it is with great excitement that we open our doors to welcome the harmonious melodies that will fill our campus. The APAC Orchestra Festival is a testament to the unifying force of music, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to witness the magic that unfolds when talented musicians come together.
I would like to take a moment to recognize and express our deepest appreciation to our exceptional Orchestra Director, Mr. Lee Pophal. His unwavering dedication, expertise, and passion have been the driving force behind the success of our Orchestra program, and we are immensely grateful for his contributions. Mr. Pophal, thank you for your tireless efforts in nurturing the musical talents of our students and for your commitment to excellence.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our esteemed guest conductor, Dr. Wesley Kenney, We are honored to have such a distinguished musician and conductor join us for this festival. Your expertise and guidance will undoubtedly enrich the musical experience of all participants, and we eagerly anticipate the incredible performances that will result from your collaboration with our talented musicians.
To all the participating Orchestra directors and their respective teams, we extend our warmest welcome. Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to musical excellence are commendable. The hours of practice, the attention to detail, and the sheer love for music that you bring to this festival are truly inspiring. We are privileged to have you grace our campus with your musical talents.
As you embark on this musical journey, I invite you to immerse yourselves fully in the experience. Let the melodies resonate within your hearts and souls, and let the power of music unite us all. May this festival be a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the transformative power of music.
Once again, on behalf of our entire school community, I extend my deepest gratitude to all those involved in making this festival a reality. Your collective efforts have brought us to this moment, where music will fill our campus and our hearts. Welcome to the APAC Orchestra Festival, and may our shared love for music create everlasting memories.
Sincerely,
James Nelligan
Head of School
Dear esteemed guests,
On behalf of the entire Puxi campus community, it is my great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. As you step foot onto our vibrant campus, you will witness a community that is truly passionate about the performing arts and embraces the spirit of hospitality.
At Puxi, we believe in the transformative power of the performing arts. It is an integral part of our curriculum and a cornerstone of our school culture. We are committed to nurturing young talents, fostering creativity, and providing a supportive environment where students can explore their passions.
As you explore our campus, you will see our state-of-the-art performing arts facilities, designed to inspire and empower our students. From our well-equipped theater to our dedicated music rooms and dance studios, every space has been thoughtfully crafted to encourage artistic expression and provide a stage for our students' talents to shine.
But beyond the physical spaces, what truly sets our campus apart is our welcoming community. We are a diverse and inclusive community, where individuals from different backgrounds and cultures come together to celebrate and appreciate the performing arts. Our students, teachers, and staff are dedicated to creating an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and mutual respect.
Once again, welcome to the Puxi campus. May your visit be a memorable one, filled with extraordinary performances, meaningful connections, and the joy of the performing arts.
With warmest regards,
Christophe Henry
Head of Puxi Campus
Dear participants, musicians, and esteemed guests,
Welcome to the 2025 APAC Orchestra Festival! We are thrilled to have you join us for this celebration of music, talent, and camaraderie. As we embark on this incredible journey together, I would like to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has made this event possible.
To the participating orchestra and Directors, your dedication and commitment to your craft are truly awe-inspiring. The countless hours of practice, the pursuit of perfection, and the unwavering passion you bring to your performances are a testament to your talent and hard work. Thank you for sharing your musical gifts with us and for being an integral part of this festival.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the individuals who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of this tournament. To our dedicated Activities Team, Marketing Department, Food Service staff, Medical Staff, Transportation Team, Security personnel, and Facilities Team, thank you for your unwavering commitment and exceptional efforts. Your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in making this event a reality.
At this festival, we hold true to the values of the Eagle Code - gratitude, respect, and engagement. We express our gratitude for the opportunity to come together as a community of musicians and music enthusiasts. We respect the talents, efforts, and diversity of each participant, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. And we engage with one another, embracing the power of music to connect, inspire, and uplift.
As you perform and collaborate with fellow musicians, may you feel the warmth and support of this community. May your performances be filled with passion, creativity, and a deep connection to the music you create. May you forge new friendships, learn from one another, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
To our distinguished guest conductor, Dr. Wesley Kenney, thank you for your invaluable contributions in guiding and inspiring our musicians. Your expertise, insights, and dedication to music education are truly remarkable. We are honored to have you share your wisdom and talent with us.
Lastly, to our audience members and supporters, thank you for being a part of this musical journey. Your presence and applause uplift our performers and remind us of the profound impact that music has on our lives.
Once again, welcome to the 2025 APAC Orchestra Festival. May this gathering of talented musicians and music lovers be a celebration of the universal language of music.
With deepest gratitude,
Kate Mouton
Director of Athletics and Activities
Wes Kenney
Wes Kenney is in his 23rd season as Music Director of the Fort Collins (Colorado) Symphony. In May 2023, he retired after 20 years as Director of Orchestras and chair of conducting studies at Colorado State University. Maestro Kenney completed his tenure at CSU with two critically acclaimed performances of the Mahler Symphony No. 3. In 2022 he was named a University Distinguished Professor, the highest honor the university can award and has also been given the title of Professor Emeritus The 2007 Grand Prize Winner of the Varna (Bulgaria) International Conducting Competition, a 2020 Honored Artist from the American Prize, a winner of the American Prize for programming in 2020, a winner of the Ernst Bacon Memorial Prize for excellence in performance of American Music, and the 2020 American Prize Winner for best orchestral performance in the Professional Orchestra Division. In June 2023, Mr. Kenney completed his 10th and final season with Denver Young Artist Orchestra—the premier youth orchestra in the state of Colorado. DYAO has been recognized by the city of Denver for outreach and as an ambassador for Colorado. He has led that orchestra on two European tours and anchored two festivals at Carnegie Hall. In June of 2023, he led that orchestra on tour to Southern California, where the audience responded with a standing ovation at Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Mr. Kenney’s guest conducting activities include the Acadiana Symphony (LA), Alabama Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Dubuque Symphony, Lafayette (IN) Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, New Mexico Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Riverside Symphonia, Savannah Symphony, and the Virginia Symphony. International guest conducting includes performances with the Liev (Ukraine) Philharmonic, Changwon (South Korea) Philharmonic, Vietnam National Symphony (Hanoi), Vidin State Philharmonic, Stara Zagora Opera Company in Bulgaria, as well as the Edinburgh (Scotland) Music Festival.
Mr. Kenney has also enjoyed success directing opera, ballet, and musical theater. Previous positions include Music Director of Opera Fort Collins, Music Director of the Virginia Ballet Theater, Co-Principal Conductor of the Oakland Lyric Opera, and Guest Conductor with Universal Ballet Korea. Since 2004 he has conducted productions of Carmen, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Sweeney Todd, Turn of the Screw, Barber of Seville, Madama Butterfly, Cenerentola, Rigoletto, Tosca, Otello, Die Zauberflote, Die Fledermaus, La Traviata, Il Trovatore, Street Scene, La Boheme, Orfeo, Pagliacci, Cavelleria Rusticana, Falstaff, Turandot, Marriage of Figaro, Serse, The Merry Widow, Aida, Don Giovanni, and Tenderland. In addition, he has conducted over two hundred performances of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Firebird, and many other dance works.
In six seasons as the Virginia Symphony’s Associate Conductor, Mr. Kenney appeared more than 350 times with that orchestra, where he was responsible for programming and conducting Pops, Family, and Young People’s Concerts. During his tenure with the Virginia Symphony, he was also invited to guest conduct the Williamsburg Symphonia, Virginia Chorale, Norfolk Chamber Consort, and Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival.
Named Educator of the Year by the Colorado Chapter of the American String Teachers Association in 2008, Mr. Kenney enjoyed working with talented young people in his position as Director of Orchestras at Colorado State University and has served as Guest Conductor with the Alabama, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Virginia All-State Orchestras. Awarded the prestigious Carmen Dragon Conducting Prize in 1992, Wes Kenney is a founder of the CSU Summer Master of Music Education with an emphasis in conducting program, now in its 13th year.
He was recently a guest lecturer at the Conductor’s Institute held at Bard College in upstate New York, teaching alongside the late Harold Farberman and American Symphony Orchestra Music Director Leon Botstein.
Mr. Kenney is a past president of the Conductors Guild, a 2000-member service organization to the conducting profession. He is currently on the Guild’s advisory board. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and San Francisco State University. Additional studies include three years as a fellow at the Conductors Institute, several American Symphony Orchestra League and Conductors Guild Workshops, and the Sandpoint Festival. His teachers include Harold Farberman, Hans Beer, Gunther Schuller, Hans Swarovsky, and Miltiardes Carides.
