2010 - 2011 Concerts

2010 Super Conductor Contest

What is the Super conductor contest? It is an annual contest that the community votes on three contestant to raise funding for the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. Each of the three contestants campains for your vote to elect them as the Super Conductor. You vote by donaiting money as votes for your favorite candidate. The contestant with the most votes wins and conducts a musical selection at the seasons first concert. This year's candidates are: Gabe Santos, Marian Bennett and Gary Wheat. Each of the candidates has volunteered to help raise funds to enhance the community support for the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. They will hand out ballots, with spirited campaign speeches, at every opportunity. You may also make donations at the Symphony office at 519 Main St. (just north of the Theatre Company in the walk-through between Main and Coffman streets).

Contributions may be sent to:
Longmont Symphony Orchestra PO Box 74 Longmont, CO 80502

Please indicate candidate of choice in memo field.

Gabe Santos

Gabe Santos was born and raised in Friendswood, Texas, a town much like Longmont (let’s not hold the “Texas” thing against him). In 2001 after several years in Washington, DC, he and wife Vicki Stow Santos, a Longmont native, came to Longmont to begin their new life together and raise a family. Throughout the past eight years, Gabe has been working to give back to his adopted hometown.
He currently serves as the Mayor Pro Tem & City Council Member At Large for the City of Longmont. In his spare time, he is an accountant with Stow and Santos, PC. Gabe earned his B.A. from the University of Houston in History. Prior to moving to Longmont, Gabe worked as a Congressional aide in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on many city boards and commissions as the Council Liaison. Gabe is currently the treasurer of the Hispanic Education Foundation and Logistics Chair for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Longmont. As mentioned, Gabe is married to Vicki Stow Santos and they chase after their two daughters, Sylvia (4 1⁄2) and Isabel (1 1⁄2).
So, another campaign? Yes! After 3 city campaigns in 2 years, he doesn’t know when to stop! Actually, Gabe is looking forward to raising HUGE donations for the Longmont Symphony Orchestra and his candidacy for Superconductor. Unlike most of the campaigns Gabe has run, anyone can donate unlimited amounts and many times. So open up those checkbooks, GIVE and give often!! Gabe for Superconductor!!!!

Marian Bennett

Marian Bennett after graduating from college, moved to Los Angeles where I met my husband who was in the Air Force. He proposed “Marry me and see the world”…..we moved to South Dakota! Our two children were born during our stay in South Dakota. Upon my husband’s retirement, happily, we found our way to Longmont. Our children graduated from Niwot High School; Sharon and her husband Joe now live in Denver, David and his wife Melanie in Seattle. They presented me with four grandchildren, who in turn, blessed me with four great grandchildren.
I retired from the business world ten years ago, and now, in addition to my activities with Chapter GH of PEO and my Red Hatter chapter the “Scarlett O’Haras” (We’ll never go hungry again), I enjoy reading, travel, charity work and spoiling my great grandchildren. I am a 40+ year member of Longmont Theater Company and have appeared in many of their productions. I have also performed with the Union Colony Dinner Theater, California Actors Theater and the Carousel Dinner Theater.
Although my musical ability is minimal I do have a deep appreciation for and a love of good music performed by a good orchestra. Therefore, I am very honored to be a candidate for Super Conductor and to help with this fundraising to ensure Longmont Symphony Orchestra’s continued existence and to help bring the Longmont Arts Community together.

Gary Wheat

Gary Wheat is a native of Prentiss, Mississippi, Gary attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned both a B.S. and M.S. degree. Following college, he spent six years working in the world of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Southern Mississippi and Virginia Tech. Gary has spent the past 10 years, including six as an Executive Director, in the tourism industry. Prior to moving to Longmont with his wife Laurie, Gary served as Executive Director of the South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau in South Bend, Indiana.
Gary was hired in December 2008 as the Executive Director of the Longmont Area Visitors Association, where he works to bring events and visitors to the area. In addition to his role at LAVA, he is involved in several organizations, charities and serves on the Board of Directors for the Longmont Council for the Arts and Grow Your Own Meal.
Growing up in the turnip patches of Mississippi, Gary one day dreamed of becoming the Longmont Symphony Super Conductor. As a patron of the arts, it is your responsibility to help this small town dreamer achieve his goal. A true Elvis Presley fan, Gary owns two Elvis sequined jumpsuits, he is even contemplating performing an Elvis Presley classic if he is selected Super Conductor!