Lauded for his musical accuracy and emotional intensity, Fouad Fakhouri has earned a reputation for his dynamic artistry behind the podium. He is celebrated for going beyond the score to capture both the essence and spirit of the music, delivering powerful interpretations and inspired symphonic performances.
Currently, Fakhouri serves as Music Director of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra in Michigan and the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra in Texas. From 2004-2016, he served as Music Director and Conductor of North Carolina’s Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. Previous appointments also include Principal Guest Conductor of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra and Music Director and Conductor of the Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra (NC). Internationally, Fakhouri continues to be in high demand and is a regular guest conductor of the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, throughout his career, he has been selected to present workshops, masterclasses, and has collaborated with artists like Daniel Barenboim, Shai Wosner, Alessio Bax and Yo-Yo Ma as well as members of such venerable institutions as the Staatskapelle Berlin, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Recognized for eliciting exceptional musicianship, Fakhouri is consistently praised for his ability to “elevate the artistic performance level of orchestras he conducts”. Combined with an innate ability to share his enthusiasm for music on and off the podium, orchestras under his baton regularly see significant increases in audience attendance and arts engagement in the cities and communities he serves. He is a strong advocate for artistic partnerships and community collaborations, which have resulted in the development of innovative concert series and inspiring education programs.
In addition to conducting, Fakhouri is an active composer whose music has been celebrated by critics, performers and audiences alike. His works have been premiered and performed throughout the USA and Europe by such ensembles as London’s English Chamber Orchestra, the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and the Mediterranean Orchestra in Italy.
Over his career, Fakhouri has received numerous honors and awards. In December 2014, in recognition of his “impressive career achievements, phenomenal leadership and dedication to music and the community,” Methodist University (NC) bestowed upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Additionally in 2016, upon the completion of a highly successful tenure with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, individual community donors honored him with establishing “The Fouad K. Fakhouri Endowment for Artistic Excellence” – a $1.1 million fund. That same year he was also inducted into the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame and in April 2017, his alma mater the Pennsylvania State University awarded him its “2017 Arts and Architecture Alumni Award”.
Fakhouri hails from a musical family whose roots go back four generations. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of North Texas, and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting, as well as a Master of Music in Composition/Theory from Pennsylvania State University. He currently resides in Manhattan with his wife Diane Lavelle, a public relations executive, and their daughter Isabella.
