Almost 37,000 tuned in for UNT Symphony, Super Bowl countdown concert

From Inhouse, UNT's faculty and staff news source

The UNT Symphony Orchestra, directed by Clay Couturiaux, joined country singer Tim McGraw at Cowboys Stadium to celebrate the XLV Countdown: Live from Cowboys Stadium concert before a sellout crowd of almost 37,000 on Sept. 10.

The concert is one of several events to promote the Super Bowl, scheduled Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, and featured music, videos and celebrations of 50 years of Dallas Cowboys history.

The orchestra joined McGraw for part of his performance, and played works commissioned by the NFL. Concertgoers also were able to hear Fort Worth native and internationally famed pianist Van Cliburn  perform the national anthem.

The 90-piece orchestra was selected by the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee because of UNT’s renowned music school and the university’s significance in the North Texas community. UNT is the only university invited to participate.

The concert, XLV Countdown: Live from Cowboys Stadium, was presented by Frito-Lay, and celebrated Dallas Cowboys history, plus the August induction of Cowboys star Emmitt Smith into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Read other stories in this issue:

• President's Note
• Murphy Center luncheon to feature sports writer Frank Deford
• Moving Forward: More leading researchers join faculty
• UNT generating clean energy, raising water issue awareness
• Grant bolsters Student Support Services program
• Faculty Focus: Feifei Pan
• Traditions: Fouts Field Finale honoring stadium’s last season
• Featured Link: Learn how alumni are driving the economy in The North Texan
• UNT Alumni Association