The Conroe Symphony Orchestra is honored to present Sariah Keller, as their Symphony Spotlight.

Keller has played her double bass in concert halls across Europe, from Austria and Italy to Prague and Germany. Now, she is bringing her international experience to the Conroe Symphony Orchestra, adding her deep, rich tones to the ensemble.

Keller’s love affair with the double bass began in 5th grade when she first heard its deep, rich sound. Now, she’s bringing that passion to Conroe.

“I love the camaraderie that comes with making music with people who are joined together in a common purpose,” And it’s that sense of community that drew her to Conroe. “It feels like I’m joining a family!”

Keller graduated from Baylor with a Masters in music performance and now serves as an assistant orchestra director at Klein ISD.
One of her fondest memories is playing at the annual July 4th concert. “I loved getting to perform for the community for the 4th of July event,” she said. “There is something special about bringing classical music to the public and making it accessible for all!”

When she’s not serenading audiences with the sounds of her favorite composers: Tchaikovsky, Brahms, or Beethoven, you can find Keller hitting the hiking trails, exploring the aisles of Trader Joe’s looking for apples and sushi, or spending quality time with her close-knit family.

“I have two siblings who are my best friends and supportive parents who have been to nearly every orchestra concert since I was little,” she shared.

Be sure to come see Keller perform her Double Bass with the Conroe Symphony Orchestra this season.

The Conroe Symphony Orchestra is honored to present Liz Royce as their Symphony Spotlight. Being super musically inclined and able to play multiple instruments, Royce serves as our Principal French Horn.

Royce started playing her first instrument at the age of seven. She says she chose the French Horn because it was the most challenging of all the instruments she plays.

“I started on Accordion at age seven and continued my musical learnings by learning several other instruments in years to follow,” she said. “Piano was next, followed by Flute, French Horn, Trumpet, Tenor/Alto Horn, Handbells, and Bass Flute are my fluent instruments. Other instruments I own and can play at a beginner’s level are: violin, clarinet, trombone, guitar. Having been a music educator, I learned all the orchestral and common instruments. My favorite instruments to play are French Horn, Tenor/Alto Horn, and Accordion.”

Royce received her BA with teaching credential in Music Education from CSU Long Beach, CA. She also holds an AA degree from Cerritos College with an emphasis on Music. Her talent is forever recorded in the area as she was honored to be able to play three recordings for the music of 3 Claymations at Capitol Records in Los Angeles, CA.

One of her fondest memories is playing during college in California. “I was a participant in an ‘Honors Recital’ that was televised in the local area (Norwalk, CA) of Cerritos College in May, 1985. I performed ‘Children’s Corner Suite’ by Claude Debussy. My next big moment came in the Fall, 1993, I was playing a solo on mellophone from ‘Phantom of the Opera’ in a half-time show in Las Vegas at a football game with CSU Long Beach and UN Las Vegas. My big moment of playing in front of thousands of people and I played it perfectly.”

Music is such a huge part of Royce’s life. It is no surprise her list of favorite composers is long, settling on a favorite would be impossible.

“Too many favorite Composers. Chopin, Mozart, Shostakovich, Percy Grainger, Leroy Anderson, Spike Jones, Stan Freberg,” she said, “Just to name a few. Oh, can’t forget the big band era composers.”

As varied as her musical talents are, she spends her time doing a multitude of activities. Besides playing music, Royce has served as a massage therapist for over 30 years. “I love what I do and love helping people manage and or get rid of their pain for good.”

Besides performing, teaching, composing/arranging music and her massage therapy, she finds time to play with mutts, be active in church, ham radio, movies, meditation, traveling, cleaning and organizing.

She was told she received her musical talent from a grandfather six generations back.

Be sure to come see Royce perform her French Horn with the Conroe Symphony Orchestra.

The Conroe Symphony Orchestra is honored to present Noel Freeman as their Symphony Spotlight. Freeman is one of our newer members, serving a year, and is our Second Trombone (and occasional bass trombone).

Freeman first picked up the trombone in 1990, the day before Winter break. His band director told him he needed to know how to play it by the time he got back to school in January. It was a match made in Heaven and he excelled as a young trombonist so much so that he was invited to play Second trombone at the University of California Riverside at the age of 15.

After high school, Noel took a break from music and enlisted in the Air Force and has been working in govenment service. Playing in the Conroe Symphony Orchestra felt like being back at home.

“My first concert with the orchestra was my first time playing with a full orchestra in 25 years,”  he said.  “It was like coming home after a long absence.”

Freeman loves the music the CSO produces. “I love being able to play music I love and enjoy listening to,” he said.  “It gives me a stronger connection to the music and builds a sense of accomplishment and confidence in what I do.”

It doesn’t take long to see the musical talent and involvement of Freeman.  He is an avid arranger and launched his own music publishing company in 2021. The company publishes arrangements from area composers and musicians.

When Freeman isn’t performing around Houston and Conroe, he loves backpacking in the backcountry wilderness.

The Conroe Symphony Orchestra is honored to present Colleen Bennett as their Symphony Spotlight. Bennett has been a member of the CSO for about six years and is our Principal Violist and serves as our Personnel Manager.

Mrs. Bennett first picked up an instrument when she was 12 with dreams of being a country fiddler. “I started out on violin, and I wanted to be a country fiddler,” she said. “The elementary school I attended began an orchestra program when I was 12, so I convinced my mom to sign me up. We lived in a small community in Idaho and I had never heard of a viola. After a couple years on violin, I switched to viola and absolutely fell in love with the sound. I love the middle tone and the harmonies the viola provides in the orchestra.”

During her time in high school, Bennett won state solo competitions and attended all-state orchestra. She graduated from the College of Idaho with a BA in viola performance and secondary instrumental music education and a Masters in teaching.

Bennett loves being able to continue to share her talents with the CSO.

“I love making music with others,” she said. “There’s a magic in listening across the room, recognizing what all the sounds are, and hearing all the different things come together that creates a beauty in the air. I enjoy being a part of the collaborative effort of creating something that so many enjoy together.”

Her days are as busy as you would imagine a wife and mom of three would have, often filled to the brim with activities.

Between homeschooling and teaching students music lessons in her studio, she currently enjoys improvising on violin in her church worship band, playing viola with the Conroe Symphony, riding horses, and reading. She fills her days bike riding, hiking, playing board games, and exploring new places. Bennett is also the caretaker of a cat, a dog, a bearded dragon, a beta, glowfish, and seventeen chickens.

The CSO allows her to have some well-deserved mom’s night out time.

“I love my role in the orchestra.” she said. “This is my mom’s night out and how I de-stress. It’s relaxing to go play music with others and I look forward to it each rehearsal.”

Bennett loves being a part of the CSO and the city of Conroe. “I love the diversity of art and all the opportunities to participate.”

The Conroe Symphony Orchestra is honored to present Debbie Andrew as their Symphony Spotlight. Andrew has been a member of the CSO for about 10 years and is our Principal Bassoonist. Her servant heart leads her to a variety of positions within the orchestra, serving as the CSO Grant Writer and coordinator of marketing, program printing, and the PowerPoint presentations for the Orchestra.

Mrs. Andrew started playing the bassoon in the eighth grade when her band director asked her to switch from the flute to the bassoon. She said, “Yes! What is it?” and hasn’t put it down since! The self-taught musician was part of the Texas All-State Band as a senior in high school and graduated college with a degree in Music Management.

One of her fondest memories is playing at a rehearsal in California. “I played a solo melody line followed by Placido Domingo singing that melodic line,” she said. “Believe me, I played my heart out for those 7 measures. When we finished our few measures, he looked at me and winked, as if to say ‘Good Job!’ I was thrilled. We rode down the elevator together afterward and he signed that piece of music for me.”

Andrew loves being able to continue to share her talents with the CSO.

“I love being able to continue playing my bassoon,” Andrew said. “The Conroe Symphony gives me an opportunity to continue something that I’ve done for nearly 50 years! Music is amazing that way. There are so many other hobbies and activities that you can’t do forever; but music lasts a lifetime.”

Her parents have continued to be such a positive influence and support for her music.

“My parents and their utmost support of my musical endeavors had the largest influence on me,” she said. “They purchased a bassoon for me when I was in high school because the school instruments were so terrible. My mom drove me from Bryan to Huntsville every week so I could take private lessons. My mom is still supporting me by coming to the Conroe Symphony concerts.”

Andrew is looking forward to the future the CSO has in Conroe and cannot wait for the Performing Arts Center to be built so the orchestra can have a permanent home. She loves that the city supports the orchestra financially along with all the patrons.