What we love most in art is the beauty it brings to our lives and the dreams and ideas it inspires. It's the music that we listen to intently, it's the paintings and sculptures we look at intensely and it's the human form amazing us with its bends and turns as it leaps across an empty stage.
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The love of the arts must run in the family. Trey Smith's daughter, Austin resident Lauren Smith, showcases her artwork in downtown Longview at Java Lounge and this is one of many of her pieces.
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The Longview arts organizations and their directors should receive a standing ovation for the work that they do, and Charm will be spotlighting a handful of them over the next few issues.
In this issue, we sat down with Opera East Texas director Trey Smith —
Q: To what extent were you involved in the arts as a child, and how has that shaped your approach to the organization you work for?
A: As a child, my brother Kyle was a budding concert pianist, and my sister Cheyenne was an artist; however, only my feeble attempts at learning to play the guitar could be classified as an involvement with the arts. I did learn to recite my do-re-mi's backwards, though.
It wasn't until I was an adult that I began to be intrigued with the idea of loving art and music. That's not to say I did love art and music, only that I began to like the idea of loving it. I made small attempts to listen to classical music and learn to appreciate it. As an example, while passing a music store in a mall one day, I heard the most wonderful music. I asked the clerk what it was and learned it was Handel's Water Music. I bought the CD and listened to it repeatedly.
It was about 15 years ago that I was in the lobby of Central Title Company which was owned at the time by Pat Florence. Pat was a member of the board of directors of what was then called the Longview Opera Company. In the lobby were ticket brochures for the upcoming performance of Tosca. I thought it was about time I began to learn something about opera as well. I have not missed a production in Longview since that day.
This experience has allowed me to understand that one is never too old or young to learn to love fine music; yet opera is far more than just fine music. When the music is combined with the magnificent voices, the acting, the sets, the costumes and lighting, an experience is created unlike any other art form. There is nothing to compare to opera. I am an advocate for opera education in the schools. Opera East Texas is working with the music department at Stephen F. Austin State University to create a masters program which, among other things, will provide a means of bringing children's operas to regional schools.
Q: How do the ups and downs of the economy affect your ability to raise funds?
A: I have found the economy has an indirect affect on raising funds. Our donors are great people who love opera and the arts. A great many of our donors make contributions to other arts groups. The amounts may vary with economic fluctuations, but our donors will continue to support what they love.
A significant portion of the budget comes from grants from the Cultural Activities Advisory Committee of the City of Longview. The amount of funds available for grants does fluctuate according to the economy and to natural disasters and emergencies. Those funds are generated through hotel taxes which are suspended for those seeking shelter. It affects the amount of grants awarded to all arts groups.
Q: What "least-known" fact about your organization would surprise most people, and why?
A: Opera East Texas began to chart a new course several years ago. While acknowledging the sacrifices and the passion for opera demonstrated by our founders, Diji Scales and her late husband, Bill, as well as that of the members of the board who poured themselves into starting an opera company in rural East Texas, the then Longview Opera Repertory Company set out to become a truly "professional" opera company. Rather than securing all performers from regional colleges and local talent, the company began to hire professionals at every level. Professional singers from around the country auditioned for our major roles. Professional conductors and directors were hired.
Professional set designers, costumers and stage directors were brought on board as well. Under the leadership of General Director Derrith Bondurant, Longview Opera Repertory Company, a small community opera company was transformed into Opera East Texas, a regional professional opera company. The surprising thing is that the productions of Opera East Texas are of equal or greater quality than some of the productions in much larger communities.
Q: What is the most difficult part of your job?
A: I'm not a professional, only a volunteer stepping into the gap. As the interim general director, I am limited in the time I am able to devote to the company. I rely heavily on the board to assist me in making the magic happen. I rely on our Artistic Director, Jerry Steichen, not only for artistic concerns, but also on many technical aspects of the production. The same is true for the chorus master, Ryan Kelly. Without their patient guidance, I would not be able to do the job at all.
Q: What is the easiest part of your job?
A: The easiest part of my job is sharing my passion for opera in East Texas. I believe whole-heartedly that the people of East Texas are good for the opera, and the opera is good for East Texas.
Q: What will the arts look like in Longview, TX in five or 10 years?
A: If we look back 10 years, we can see that the arts in Longview have changed dramatically for the better. The performing arts have matured from smaller productions to vast and well-attended events. Opera East Texas is a case in point. Companies for children's theatre, symphonic band and Broadway musicals have all begun in the past 10 years. Now, with the opening of the S. E. Belcher, Jr., Chapel and Performance Center on the campus of LeTourneau University, the future is just as bright. I foresee multiple productions from Opera East Texas, perhaps in a festival format.
Q: If you weren't the executive director of your organization, you would be...
A: I'm a businessman who has a passion for opera. My business involvements are arranged so that I am able to pursue my passion. As the owner of McCann Street Grill, I have a wonderful manager, Shayna Gibson, whose solid management allows me the flexibility to "stay away" and let her do her job. The same is true for Live Oak Park, a residential community managed by Robert Jenness. I rarely am called upon to get my hands dirty. My remaining interests in banking and oil and gas require managed attention. That leaves my involvement in Rotary. As the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Longview, I have dedicated a great deal of time to service, not only in Longview, but also worldwide.
Q: What's the primary mission of your organization?
A: The primary mission of Opera East Texas is to provide the citizens of East Texas with the opportunity to learn and appreciate live opera at an affordable cost.
Q: Who is your audience?
A: It may surprise you to know that our audience is you, the average person. Unlike the myth, opera is not just for "old people." While a significant portion of our audience is mature, we are fortunate to enjoy a broad range of ages, from children to the elderly. Another myth busted is that the members of the audience wear tuxedos and evening gowns. Many patrons dress casually for a night at the opera.
Our audience covers the spectrum with respect to income levels as well. We attempt to keep our ticket prices as low as possible to make available the experience to as many as possible.
Q: What do you find most fulfilling about your job?
A: I'm most fulfilled when I meet people months after a production and am told how wonderful their experience of live opera was to them.
Q: What aspect of the arts do you believe is lacking in our area? What would you like to see added or expanded to improve the artistic environment?
A: One thing lacking in the area with respect to arts is a commitment on the part of local city and county leaders to go above and beyond the minimum in promoting and funding the arts. While parks and sports fields are important to the overall health of a community, so too are the arts. Failure to recognize this on the part of our leaders will continue to limit the successes of our community in attracting and keeping quality businesses and the resulting jobs.
Q: In your spare time, what is your artistic or creative outlet?
A: Did someone say I'm creative, or that I have spare time? I enjoy ballroom dancing. My friend and dance partner, Tammy Lewis, and I are members of Ballroom Dancers Ltd. I also enjoy traveling. I have traveling buddies to travel to Dallas, Houston, New York and Los Angeles to attend opera performances. We also travel to other locations such as Provence and Cote d'Azur in France and Tuscany and Rome, Italy. Next year, we will travel to Burgundy.
