David Mairs
Music Director
David Mairs is beginning his thirteenth year as Music Director of the Mid-Texas Symphony.
He served as Resident Conductor of the San Antonio Symphony, for eleven years
and was a guest conductor on their podium through 2003. While there, he hosted
the weekly “Symphony Spotlight” on KPAC-FM. Mairs also regularly conducts
the Austin Symphony and the Flint Symphony.
Mairs began his musical career as a professional hornist playing Solo Horn
for the US Army Band in Washington, He was later the Associate Principal Horn
of the Pittsburgh Symphony, Solo Horn of the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet,
and a member of the New Pittsburgh Quintet. Before coming to San Antonio,
Mairs served as Assistant Conductor and Music Administrator of the Flint Symphony
Orchestra in Flint, MI. He made his Houston Symphony debut in 1990,
and was immediately re-engaged for the 1991 season. He returned to Houston in 1997
for a series of three concerts. Mairs has also conducted several concerts
with the Colorado Springs Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Phoenix Symphony,
Charlotte Symphony, and in 1994 conducted the Kansas City Symphony.
He is an annual guest with the Flint Symphony, conducting both symphony
and ballet performances. His Family Concerts with the FSO have been taped
for television since 1998. Mairs debuted with the Ft. Worth Symphony in 2000,
and in 2002, made his debut with the West Shore Symphony in Michigan
and the Dallas Symphony at the Myerson Center.
Mairs has participated twice in the prestigious American Symphony Orchestra League
Conductors’ Workshop. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music
from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Divinity degree
from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
David Mairs continues to make a major commitment of his time and energies
to the community in many areas, especially children. He has served as Conductor
of Orchestras at UTSA, was Music and Administrative Director of the North East School
of the Arts, and Music Director of the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio,
whose 2004 European tour was hailed as a major artistic success.
He has conducted numerous All-state bands and orchestras and has served
on several committees dealing with public and fine arts education.
He has also served as a consultant and member of the Brass staff of DCI’s Phantom Regiment.
He has been a composer and arranger
for orchestras and bands for over thirty-five years. His entire family from wife, Beth,
to daughters Sarie and Ellie, son-in-law Quiyan and son Greg is involved in the fine arts,
from instrumental music education to modern dance to punk rock.
