Fouad Fakhouri, a 30-year-old native of Lebanon, was born in Beirut in 1972. In 1990 he came to the United States.
He received his bachelor's degree in music theory and composition from West Texas State University in 1994.
He then attended Penn State University where he received two master's degrees, one in composition/theory and the other in orchestral conducting.
Immediately following his studies at Penn State, he enrolled at University of Texas where he will graduate with his doctorate this summer.
As a conductor Fakhouri has worked with several ensembles and orchestras in the U.S. and aboard.
In 1995 he made his conducting debute at the International Jewish Festival, in Jordon, with the National Music Conservatory Orchestra of Jordan. Between 1996-1998 he served as assistant conductor of the Penn State Philharmonic.
In August 1999 Fakhouri was one of only three conductors selected to participate in Daniel Barenboim's master class at West-Eastern Divan Workshop in Weimar, Germany.
Fakhouri's compositional output is diverse and his music has been heard in various countries such as the U.S., Italy, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Israel, Jordan and Egypt.
He has written many orchestral pieces, in addition to chamber, choral and solo music.
During the academic year of 2001-2002, Fakhouri served as full-time instructor of music theory in the School of Music at Penn State University.
From 2003-2004 Fakhouri worked as a freelance composer and continued to guest conduct aboard. He wrote many works for orchestra and arranged music for theater.
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, the oldest municipally-funded orchestra in North Carolina, selected Fakhouri after a two-year search, reviewing 106 applicants.
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 50th year in October.
Fakhouri is a personal friend of Queen Noor who will be in Fayetteville for this 50th anniver-sary celebration.
Fakhouri will be speaking at the Weymouth program about the Fayetteville Symphony and Queen Noor's visit.
The meeting on May 15 will celebrate the annual strawberry social with a new format. Instead of the 9:30 a.m. coffee chat, the meeting and program will start at 9:30 a.m., and the strawberry festival will become a brunch after the program.
Guests are welcome to this program and an opportunity to get acquainted with The Weymouth Center for the Humanities and Arts, the gardens and all that it has to offer.
Sue Priest, serving as Weymouth hostess for programs, concert receptions, and supper on the grounds for many years, also serves on the Board of the Fayetteville Symphony.
"I am excited about this event featuring a very handsome and enchanting speaker as well as a lovely brunch all within the house and gardens of Weymouth," she said.
The annual membership for Friends of Weymouth mailing is scheduled to go out in June. However, membership is accepted currently with the two months bonus before that time.
Membership includes free entry to all the Sunday concerts and Ragan lecture series as well as Women of Weymouth programs.
