Prof is first American to conduct Milan orchestra

Dr. Glenn Garrido conducted the Civic Orchestra of Milan in September.

It’s not every day that conductors make history, but Dr. Glenn Garrido did just that on Sept. 8 when he became the first U.S. citizen to conduct the Civic Orchestra of Milan in its more-than-150-year history.  Garrido conducted the “Made in America” concert at the Palazzo Marino, or Court of Honor of the City Palace, in Milan, Italy.

“We played music from different countries,” Garrido said. “The orchestra was top quality; there were no musical problems at all, and the communication was fine. I was speaking to them in English, Italian and Spanish. What was exciting is that we put together a very difficult program in very few days and very few hours of rehearsals; that tells you how good the orchestra is.”

The history-making performance was the first concert that Garrido conducted after becoming chairman of the music department at St. Thomas University in August. Garrido, who is originally from Venezuela, moved to Houston from Mount Berry, Ga., to accept the position at the University of St. Thomas.

Although he’s relatively new to the area, Garrido feels right at home in Houston.

“I’m so happy to be in Houston, a cosmopolitan city,” he said. “This is the real United States, in my opinion. People from all over the world working together for the purpose of moving the city to the next level. I just love it; this is what I’ve been looking for.”

Not everyone can say they love what they do, but Garrido is one of the fortunate few who can. His life is immersed in music, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Believe it or not, what I do as a profession is what I do for a hobby,” Garrido said. “When I’m not conducting, I’m listening to music, and I love to teach. I go to concerts. People may think that’s boring, but I love it; music is my life.”

For details on Glenn Garrido or the University of St. Thomas, visit www.stthom.edu.

ABOUT GLENN GARRIDO
AGE: 49
OCCUPATION: Music department chairman at the University of St. Thomas
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Katy resident
FAST FACT: Garrido holds a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from the University of Zulia in Venezuela, a bachelor of arts in music performance from the Simon Bolivar Conservatory, a master’s degree in conducting from the University of New Hampshire and a doctorate in music education from the University of Florida.