The Conroe Symphony Orchestra hired Gary Liebst as its new director Aug. 21 ahead of its 25th season. Leibst spoke with Community Impact in late December about his new role. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

How long have you been in the orchestra business?

This is year No. 39. ... [I] started out just teaching. I taught junior high and high school for one year and then taught community college for the rest of the time.

What brought you to the Conroe Symphony?

Talk about newbies, I’ve only been a part of this since May, so I’m brand-spanking new. [I] retired from full-time teaching and administrative work a year ago September, so 2021. My wife and I ... have been here [in Conroe] since 2011. And we retired here, both of us. ... [The] Conroe Symphony after COVID[-19] transitioned with several conductors; they held on in a beautiful way that whole time with no income. ... I went to their first concert in fall of 2021 just as a spectator, and what happened was the president of the board, Judge Kathleen Hamilton, got on the stage and said, ... ‘Welcome back from COVID; it’s so nice to be here in person. We are looking for a conductor.’ ... I auditioned and interviewed and got the job.


What are your goals with the Symphony?

I think the most important thing is to keep on keeping on. ... Running nonprofit organizations is very challenging. I have learned a lot. ... This orchestra is funded a lot by the city of Conroe, Montgomery County, grants and some ticket sales. Ticket sales are important, and I don’t want to downplay that, but the funding comes from a variety of sources. And just maintaining those sources of income is really important. ... What’s established here by the previous conductors is excellent, and I would just like to maintain that.

What’s your proudest accomplishment in your career this far?

I think it would be the times that I directed. ... You always hope that you provoke an emotion out of the audience, but you don’t know when those moments are going to happen. You work the music up; you hope it touches somebody; and then every once in a while you get on stage, and you have a moment. ... This last concert we did a beautiful Josh Groban arrangement. ... At the end of it there was this moment of silence, and then you could just hear and feel the audience’s applause. ... When you realize that you touched the audience, ... it all comes together like, ‘Wasn’t that fun?’


The Conroe Symphony is gearing up for its 25th anniversary performance. According to Leibst, the performance will have a theme to tie in with this year being the orchestra’s silver year.

Feb. 18: The orchestra will be playing “silver screen” music—music from movies.