LSMSA Graduate Wesley Ducote Named Principal Keyboard of Houston Symphony Orchestra

Ducote holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in piano performance and a second undergraduate degree in mathematics from Rice University. He studied piano under Dr. Charles Jones at LSMSA and Brian Connelly at Rice University.

 

Before joining the Houston Symphony, Ducote held orchestral positions with the New World Symphony in Miami and The Florida Orchestra in St. Petersburg. He also worked as a collaborative pianist for Tampa Opera and the University of South Florida.

 

The Houston Symphony received more than 200 applications for the Principal Keyboard position and selected approximately 45 pianists to participate in the audition process. The audition consisted of five rounds: preliminaries, semifinals, finals, superfinals and an orchestral round.

 

The process tested a variety of musical skills, including technically and musically demanding keyboard excerpts from orchestral repertoire, proficiency on piano, celesta and harpsichord, solo repertoire, jazz improvisation, sight-reading, accompanying skills and the ability to perform as part of an ensemble during a live orchestral round.

 

Ducote will begin his full-time position with the Houston Symphony in September as part of the orchestra’s 52-week season. His responsibilities will include performing in Masterworks and Pops concerts, accompanying guest soloists during rehearsals, accompanying the Houston Symphony Chorus and occasional solo opportunities with the orchestra.

 

Ducote recently reflected on his achievement, the role LSMSA played in shaping his musical journey and the lessons he has learned throughout his career in an alumni spotlight interview.

 

 

A: As with any career in the arts you will face a lot of rejection. You will apply to many things and not even get considered. There were even a few times where I was in the top 3 or a runner-up and didn't get selected. Of course each time is disheartening, but in the words of a great teacher at Rice, “It only takes one.” I think knowing that if you stick to your artistic instincts and continue to mold and refine your craft, someone or some institution will say yes. They will even be enthusiastic about your work and that's the type of artistic partnership you're looking for. I spent time between rejections learning new skills and finding new avenues for applying my craft (and refining it along the way). There is a joy in the process that is fulfilling and sustaining even when the results aren't predictable.

 

 

A: My favorite memories include going with friends to see concerts in Magale Recital Hall at NSU, Dr. Benner taking my theory class on road-trips to see new music concerts in Ruston and Baton Rouge, and perhaps more specifically the joy of Fall coming to Natchitoches and the experience of recapping your notes from Feske's Tudor/Stuart England class with friends as you walk to Front Street for sushi. Honorable mention goes to the Haunted Corn Maze trip from my sophomore year and seeing the NSU courtyard fountain freeze each January. 

 

 

 

A: Studying with Dr. Jones was eye opening. He was my first music teacher to have a Doctorate and he presented me with a considerable breadth and depth of knowledge that I couldn't have gotten at any other school. It wasn't until the second half of my sophomore year that I decided that piano would be my career and I never second-guessed it since then. 

 

 

A: First, I'd say that everyone should create art in some sort of medium they enjoy. Artistic expression is essential to us as humans. Second, I'd say that everyone should experience art whether that's watching film, going to museums, seeing concerts, reading books, any kind of shared experience of human expression. Third, you need to form opinions of it and discuss them with your friends; be critical and even disagree. Open yourself to being known and understood by others through your artistic tastes, decisions, visions, etc... These first three should be considered essential to the human experience. Then, you can examine whether creation and practice of art is something you want to do or if it's something you NEED to do. An arts career is unpredictable and there are many different paths. If it feels like something you NEED, then you will find ways to make it work and create your own career. This requires you to be flexible and inventive and disciplined. Flexibility will open doors for you, inventiveness will help you secure a gig, and discipline will help you keep the work and elevate your craft even when it gets tedious or boring. 

 

 

A: I had never imagined a career in music until I went to LSMSA. Dr. Jones and my peers opened my eyes (and ears) to all the incredible piano music I could learn and experience. I also have to credit the encouragement of now-retired Dr. Benner who helped kindle an interest in music and provided opportunities to perform new and contemporary music. I also felt that LSMSA, in general, fostered a love of learning and curiosity that helped me foster new musical skills that were essential to my career.