A third-generation musician, he was just 17 years old when he conducted his first symphony at the Conservatory of Music in Mexico City. Performing Mozart's "Requiem in D Minor", "I felt like a fish in water," he recalled. Young Héctor Guzmán had found his place in the world. He had found a home for his calling, to make music to stir the soul.
Maestro Héctor Guzmán, music director of the Irving Symphony Orchestra, celebrated his 30th anniversary with the orchestra on October 8, 2022.
He also serves as music director/conductor for the Plano, San Angelo, and Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestras in Texas. Add to that "Conductor Emeritus" of the Jalisco Philharmonic in Mexico. Often sought as a guest conductor, appearances have taken him worldwide.
Maestro Guzmán is a graduate of the National Conservatory of Mexico City, the University of North Texas, and Southern Methodist University. His teachers include luminaries such as Victor Urban, Alfred Mouledous, Robert Anderson, Carlo Maria Giulini, Helmuth Rilling, his mentor Maestro Anshel Brusilow, and the late Maestro Eduardo Mata.
Héctor has also achieved an impressive reputation as an organist by winning top prizes in several national and international competitions, including the "Grand Prix de Chartres," the world's most prestigious organ competition.
A career lifetime of individual esteemed Honore includes the "Meadows" Award, DeVry University's "Director per Excellence" Award and "Good Citizenship Medal" in the U.S., Mexico's "Outstanding National Young Artist" Award, "Golden Lyre" Award, "Artistic Silver Medal" and Austria's Embassy "Mozart Medal."
Add to the list, recognition in "Outstanding Musician of the 21st Century" magazine, a "Man of the Year" Award by Madison's Who's Who, and a 2012 North Texas Chapter of "For the Love of Art" Lifetime Achievement Award.
Let's continue with a 2014 "Distinguished Member Award" by the international musical fraternity "Sigma Alpha Iota," the 2017 Greater Dallas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce "Diversity Award," and the 2018 Distinguished Mexican Artist Award by the Mexican government for musical accomplishments outside of Mexico. And his latest accolade--2022 (Inaugural) NTPA Stardust Distinguished Performing Artist Award (given by the North Texas Performing Arts).
The Board of Directors, Musicians, and Staff join together in salute to one of the best ever! Congratulations, Maestro, on 30 fabulous years with the Irving Symphony Orchestra.