Composing Community

On Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School’s Grand Auditorium, the South Texas Symphonic Orchestra (STXSO) will perform Trinity University professor Brian Bondari’s Symphony Number 2 – Trinity. The concert will also feature pieces written by Jordan Jinosko, Leonard Berstein, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky.

Brian Bondari, D.M.A., is an associate professor of music at Trinity who teaches theory and composition. Bondari received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in composition from the University of Kansas, as well as bachelor's degrees in music education and music composition from Valdosta State University. As a composer, Bondari has written for chorus, orchestra, wind ensemble, chamber and percussion ensembles, theater, and the electronic medium. 

His Symphony Number 2 – Trinity was composed and first performed in 2019 by the Trinity Symphony Orchestra in honor of Trinity’s 150th Anniversary. “My second symphony is dedicated to Trinity and has an important place in its history,” Bondari says. “As for the piece itself, any self-respecting symphony titled Trinity must have three movements, and they are respectively titled ‘Ethos,’ ‘Pathos,’ and ‘Logos.’” 

The STXSO will be playing the third movement, “Logos.” In Aristotles’ three artistic proofs—which the symphony is inspired by—logos is the logical conclusion, the creation of order out of disarray. Thus, in Bondari’s symphony, “Logos” represents a hopeful look to the future and serves as a boisterous and uplifting finale concluding the work.

“There is some wonderful music written today that is not performed that often, but should be,” says Ronnie Sanders, D.M.A., the STXSO’s conductor. “The orchestra will continue to perform works from new, or undiscovered composers who display a gift for creating music that stirs the soul.”

Bondari first found out that his piece was going to be played at this event from a Trinity alumna who plays violin in the STXSO, Selena Urby ’14, M’15. Urby received her bachelor’s degree in music education and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity and has been teaching elementary music ever since. Now, with the STXSO, she is reconnecting with her Trinity roots once more through music. 

“I'm thrilled to be playing a piece written by my music professor Dr. Bondari,” Urby says. “I took many of his courses while I was at Trinity: Music Theory, Aural Skills, Keyboard Skills, Orchestration/Arranging, and Composition lessons. He is a great professor and friend to me now, and I am honored to be able to play the third movement of his second symphony at this event.”

The STXSO and Trinity are also connected in their dedication to making education accessible for all regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. Founded in 2017 by Sanders, the STXSO has received funding throughout the years from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, business owners, and members of the public to support their dedication to education. Thanks to their efforts, thousands of students across Bexar county and Texas are able to experience STXSO’s educational, symphonic concerts—both in person and virtually—at no cost to the schools involved. 

The upcoming concert at Thomas Jefferson High School is also free and open to the public, and 50% of all donations received that night will benefit the San Antonio Battered Women’s Shelter. This shelter has served 9,000 victims of domestic violence since its founding in 1977. They provide help through the delivery of emergency shelter, effective therapy, parenting education, housing, and specialized intervention to victims.

“I'm grateful to Dr. Sanders for taking an interest in my work,” Bondari says. “I'm delighted to hear my symphony again, and I'm pleased to know that donations will benefit the Battered Women's Shelter. It's also fun—and a bit surreal—to have my work programmed alongside titans like Beethoven, Bernstein, and Tchaikovsky.”

This concert is a tribute to the talent and scope of the Trinity community, as well as a reminder that the innovative and creative work accomplished by the University’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni makes a positive impact not only on Trinity but also in the local community. 

“Composers labor not just for their own benefit, but so that others may enjoy the artistic fruits of their labor,” Bondari says. “For a composer's creation to also resonate positively within the local community and to provide financial support to those in need, that's just extra icing on the cake.”