Centennial Anniversary Concert of the Florida State University Orchestras
Dr. Alexander Jiménez, Director of Orchestral Activities
featuring
Members of the USO
FSU Alumna
Dr. Alexandra Dee, Guest Conductor
Appalachian State University
Opperman Music Hall
Wednesday evening, March 25, 2026
Seven-thirty o’clock
Livestream: wfsu.org/fsumusic
PROGRAM
This is a recreation of the first program ever performed by the official Florida State College for Women Orchestra under Ethel Maude Tripp on March 25, 1926
Elgar
Tchaikovsky
Hoffman
Liszt/V. Herbert
Strauss
Haydn
Welcome
Dean Todd Queen
“An Orchestra Is Born”
Dr. Alexander Jiménez
Pomp and Circumstance No. 1
Andante Cantabile for Strings
“Thoughts About Dean Opperman” Dean Emerita Patricia Flowers
Benita (arr. Luis Bezerra)
Liebestraum
Tales from the Vienna Woods
INTERMISSION
“The Next Steps”
Dr. Alexander Jiménez
Symphony No. 94 “Surprise” Adagio cantabile – Allegro assai Andante
Menuetto: Allegro molto
Finale: Allegro molto
The University Orchestras wish to thank the New York Philharmonic Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives for assistance in acquiring missing parts for tonight’s program.
Please refrain from talking, entering, or exiting while performers are playing. Food and drink are prohibited in all concert halls. Please turn off cell phones and all other electronic devices. Please refrain from putting feet on seats and seat backs. Children who become disruptive should be taken out of the performance hall so they do not disturb the musicians and other audience members.
ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR
Alexander Jiménez is Professor of Conducting, Director of Orchestral Activities, and String Area Coordinator at the Florida State University College of Music. His work spans performance, recording, mentorship, and artistic leadership, with recordings on labels including Naxos, Navona, Neos, Canadian Broadcasting Ovation, and Mark. Known for his commitment to contemporary music, he has collaborated with an array of distinguished composers, among them Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Ladislav Kubík, Anthony Iannaccone, Krzysztof Penderecki, Martin Bresnick, Zhou Long, Chen Yi, Harold Schiffman, Louis Andriessen, and Georg Friedrich Haas.
Jiménez has appeared as a guest conductor throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, leading ensembles such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Brno Philharmonic, and the Israel Netanya Chamber Orchestra. He is at home with both professional and educational ensembles, having conducted regional and state honor orchestras across the country, as well as the NAfME All‑Eastern Honor Orchestra in 2009. His educational work includes engagements with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
At Florida State University, Jiménez has overseen significant growth in the orchestral studies program, helping shape it into one of the nationally recognized programs of its kind. Under his direction, the University Symphony Orchestra has appeared at major conferences including the College Orchestra Directors National Conference and the American String Teachers Association National Conference. The University Philharmonia has also gained national visibility, performing at the Southeast Conference of the Music Educators National Conference and, most recently, the College Orchestra Directors Association National Conference in 2023. The University Symphony Orchestra’s national PBS broadcast of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Peanuts Gallery® was named the Outstanding Performance of 2007 by the National Educational Television Association (NETA). In 2023, the Orchestra undertook a successful tour, performing at the Steinmetz Concert Hall of the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, as well as in national theaters of Santiago and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
ABOUT THE GUEST CONDUCTOR
Alexandra Dee is the director of orchestral activities and an associate professor in the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University, where she leads the university’s orchestras and conducts performances of the Appalachian Opera Theatre. Under her direction, the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra has performed at the North Carolina Music Educators Association Conference and the College Orchestra Directors Association National Conference. Dee is also the Music Director of the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Previously, Dee served as Director of Orchestral Studies and assistant professor of violin and viola at Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois; music director and conductor of Chicago’s South Loop Symphony Orchestra; and a cover conductor for the Joffrey Ballet, with whom she debuted in 2017 conducting the Chicago Philharmonic.
Also at home in the opera pit, Dee has conducted productions with Northwestern University Opera Theater, Manitoba Underground Opera (Winnipeg), and IUP’s Main Stage Productions. She is a consistent advocate for contemporary music, having performed and premiered numerous works by living composers. In particular, she is a vigorous champion of the works of her husband, composer Roger Zare.
Dee completed her doctoral studies in orchestral conducting at Northwestern University, where she studied with Victor Yampolsky. She is also an alumna of the Florida State University, where she completed both Master of Music in orchestral conducting and Bachelor of Music Education degrees, studying conducting with Alexander Jiménez and choral conducting with André Thomas. While at FSU, she was the founding music director and conductor of the Campus Orchestra, a string orchestra geared toward non music majors from across the university community.
Personal website: alexandradee.com
Dr. Alexandra Dee, Guest Conductor
Violin 1
Popescu, Ioana*
Flores, Javaxa
Cheong, Keat Zhen
Milan, Elizabeth
Jennings, Abigail
Ilbas, Ilayda
Son, Sobin
Puro, Francesca
Violas
Jordan, Hannah*
Knopf, Harper
Johnson, Maya
Ulrich, Emelia
McGann, Tyana
Benoit, Abigayle
Basses
Lallis, Paris*
Waidner, Emma
Flutes
Calcagino, Kaitlyn**
Douglas, Paige**
Galindo, Nikke
Werneth, Shelby
Clarinets
Eschner, Jenna*
Faircloth, Hannah
French Horns
Warren, Kate*
Hoffman, Allison
Trombone
Nester, Aryn
Violin 2
Lawton, Rachel*
Ng, Katherine
Marcy, Amanda
Dinges, Alexa
Parra, Mariana Reyes
French, Quinn
Stanton, Mari
Joyce, Tori
Sharpe, Stacey
Violoncellos
Vo, Thu*
Fernandez de Castro, Abbey
Spencer, Sydney
Taunton, Natalie
Stajkowski, Tia
Harp
Michaels, Noa
Oboes
Myers, Gracee**
Johnson, Rebecca**
Keith, Rebecca
Ward, Sarah
Bassoons
Clement, Georgia*
Farmer, Hannah
Trumpets
Hoerman, Avery*
Moncada, Kate
Percussion
Overholt, Gabbi
* Principal ** Co Principal
ORCHESTRA ON MARCH 25, 1926
Ethel Maude Tripp, conductor
Violin I
Walter, Wanita (concertmaster)
Sompayrac, Sarah Jane
Adams, Mary Louise
Girardeau, Elizabeth
Collins, Lillian
Wallace, Helen
Darby, Melissa
Richards, Nellie
Violas
Winchester, Bernice
Brooks, Mary Louise
Bass
Couch, Emily
Trumpets
Temple, R.M.
Coley, Alice
Chauncy, Linnie
Trombones
Miller, Nancy
Mudge, Everlyn
Piano
Violin II
Daniels, Dora (principal)
Montgomery, Wilma
Collins, Almeada
Carlton, Ara
Boston, Willie
Dean, Mae
Violoncellos
Youngs, Marian
Glover, Louise
Hinckelman, Carolyn
Clarinets
Wilkinson, Eleanor
Worrel, Louise
French Horn
Watkins, Marian
Timpani
Sanderson, Emily
Hunter, Cora Mae
UNIVERSITY MUSICAL ASSOCIATES
2025-2026
Dean’s Circle
Les and Ruth Ruggles Akers
Dr. Pamela T. Brannon
Richard Dusenbury and Kathi Jaschke
CarolAline Flaumenhaft
Joyce Andrews
Louie and Avon Doll
Patrick and Kathy Dunnigan
Kevin and Suzanne Fenton
Andrew and Karen Hoyt
Alexander and Dawn Jiménez
Albert and Darlene Oosterhof
Jim Lee
Paula and Bill Smith
Margaret Van Every
Gold Circle
Bob Parker
Todd and Kelin Queen
Jim and Betty Ann Rodgers
Karen and Francis C. Skilling
David and Jane Watson
Bret Whissel
Sustainer
Stan and Tenley Barnes
Kathryn M. Beggs
Karen Bradley
Steve and Pat Brock
Suzi and Scott Brock
Brian Causseaux and David Young
James Clendinen
Mary and Glenn Cole
Carol J. Cooper
Sandy and Jim Dafoe
F. Marshall Deterding and Dr. Kelley Lang
Diane and Jack Dowling
Aaron and Caroline Ellis
John S. and Linda H. Fleming
Joy and James Frank
William Fredrickson and Suzanne Rita Byrnes
Ruth Godfrey-Sigler
Michael and Marsha Hartline
Ken Hays
Melanie Hines and Dudley Witney
Dottie and Jon Hinkle
Todd S. Hinkle
The Jelks Family Foundation, Inc.
Emory and Dorothy Johnson
Gregory and Margo Jones
Anne van Meter and Howard Kessler
Dennis G. King, Esq.
William and Susan Leseman
Annelise Leysieffer
Linda and Bob Lovins
William and Gayle Manley
Robert and Patty McDonald
Marian and Walter Moore
Ann W. Parramore
Almena and Brooks Pettit
David and Joanne Rasmussen
Edward Reid
Mark and Carrie Renwick
Stephen and Elizabeth Richardson
Lawrence and Lisa Rubin
Patrick J. Sheehan
Dr. James and Ruth Anne Stevens
Sustainer cont’d
Richard Stevens and Ron Smith
Marshall and Nell Stranburg
William and Ma’Su Sweeney
Martin Kavka and Tip Tomberlin
Steve Moore Watkins and Karen Sue Brown
Stan Whaley and Brenda McCarthy
Kathy D. Wright
Mary S. Bert
Joe and Susan Berube
Marcia and Carl Bjerregaard
Greg and Karen Boebinger
Larry and Sara Bourdeau
David and Carol Brittain
Dean and Lyndsey Caulkins
Bonnie and Pete Chamlis
Malcolm A. Craig
Linda Davey
Rochelle Davis
Judith Flanigan
Bonnie Fowler, Armor Realty
L. Kathryn Funchess
Harvey and Judy Goldman
Michael Hanawalt and Justine Sasanfar
Jerry and Bobbi Hill
Richard and Linda Hyson
Sally and Dr. Link Jarrett
Judith H. Jolly
Arline Kern
Jonathan Klepper and Jimmy Cole
Elna Kuhlmann
John and Silky Labie
Keith Ledford
Patron
Donna Legare
Joan Macmillan
Patrick Malone
Victoria Martinez
Stephen Mattingly
Ann and Don Morrow
Joel and Diana Padgett
Karalee Poschman
Mary Anne J. Price
Julian and Betty Proctor
Carol Ryor
Ken and J.R. Saginario
Magda Sanchez
Jill Sandler
Paula S. Saunders
Jeanette Sickel
Susan Sokoll
George Sweat
Ed Valla
Scott and LaDonna Wagers
Sylvia B. Walford
Diana Wang
Geoffrey and Simone Watts
Natalie Zierden
Patricia C. Applegate
Sarah and John Bender
The Boyett Family
Michael Buchler and Nancy Rogers
Judy and Brian Buckner
Kasia Bugaj and J. Renato Pinto
Robby Bukovic
Darren and Peyton Cassels
Marian Christ
David and Julie Detweiler
Katie and Daniel Elliott
Sarah Eyerly
Cynthia Foster
Gene and Deborah Glotzbach
Sue Graham
Laura Gayle Green
Miriam Gurniak
Donna H. Heald
Carla Connors and Timothy Hoekman
Jane A. Hudson
Jayme and Tom Ice
Stephanie Iliff
William and DeLaura Jones
Jane Kazmer
Paige McKay Kubik
Joe Lama
Jane LeGette
Eric Lewis
James J. Logue
Dr. Lynne Y. Lummel
Cindy Malaway
Lealand and Kathleen McCharen
Dr. Linda Miles
Drs. Linda O’Neil and Sebastian Alston
Becky Parsons
Michelle Peaceman
William and Rebecca Peterson
Adrian and Rachel Puente
George Riordan and Karen Clarke
Sanford A. Safron
Lori and Charles Smith
Sudarat Songsiridej and Mary Schaad
Susan Stephens
Allison Taylor
C. Richard and Phrieda L. Tuten
Steve Urse
Janie W. Weis
Karen Wensing
Drs. Christopher and Heidi Louise Williams
Lifetime Members
Willa Almlof
Florence Helen Ashby
Mrs. Reubin Askew
Tom and Cathy Bishop
Nancy Bivins
Ramona D. Bowman
André and Eleanor Connan
Russell and Janis Courson
J.W. Richard Davis
Ginny Densmore
Carole Fiore
Patricia J. Flowers
Hilda Hunter
Julio Jiménez
Kirby W. and Margaret-Ray Kemper
Patsy Kickliter
Anthony M. Komlyn
Fred Kreimer
Beverly Locke-Ewald
Cliff and Mary Madsen
Ralph and Sue Mancuso
Meredith and Elsa L. McKinney
Ermine M. Owenby
Mike and Judy Pate
Laura and Sam Rogers
Dr. Louis St. Petery
Sharon Stone
Donna C. Tharpe
Brig. Gen. and Mrs. William B. Webb
Rick and Joan West
John L. and Linda M. Williams
Sallie and Duby Ausley
Beethoven & Company
Corporate Sponsors
Ron Erichson/Beth Frederick
Business Sponsors
WFSU Public Broadcast Center
The University Musical Associates is the community support organization for the FSU College of Music. The primary purposes of the group are to develop audiences for College of Music performances, to assist outstanding students in enriching their musical education and careers, and to support quality education and cultural activities for the Tallahassee community. If you would like information about joining the University Musical Associates, please contact Kim Shively, Director of Special Programs, at kshively@fsu.edu or 850-645-5453.
The Florida State University provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please notify the College of Music at 850-644-3424 at least five business days prior to a musical event if accommodation for disability or publication in alternative format is needed.
