Rotarian- Skip Sockell/ Speaker- Daryl One

Rotarian of the Week

Skip Sockell

Born and mostly raised in Norfolk, Virginia.  My dad was in the Navy, so we moved about every three years.  So, we also spent time in Lakehurst New Jersey, Pittsburgh PA, and Miami Ohio. Mom still lives in Norfolk and I have one brother, Michael.  I graduated from Norfolk Catholic High in 1974 and in from Virginia Tech in 1978 as a chemical engineer (Yes, I'm a Virginia Aggie also known as a Hokie) and started work at Sohio.  We moved to Port Lavaca in 1980 for the construction and start-up of Vistron, now INEOS.  I've worked and lived here for the past 39 years. At work, I’ve held engineering, project, maintenance, operations, site management positions and am now retired and then un-retired at Formosa.

With my ex-wife Kim, I have three children, Melissa, Keith, and Rachel.  They're all grown-up now and live near their mom in New Jersey.  There are 8 grandchildren to watch now: Jacob, Emma, Addison, Cameron, Augie, Vivienne, Charlotte, and Liam. I've been married to Carolina for over twenty-nine years. 

I enjoy riding my bike, running, restoring and now maintaining Dr. Bill Smith’s house in Port Lavaca and his roses, and photography.  Dr. Bill's house has been an experience.  It's over 100 years old and has received a lot of TLC in the last 10 years.  We do most of work ourselves.  So, I've have experience as a carpenter, electrician, and plumber. Come on by, it’s like walking into the 1920’s with AC and the rose garden will be in full bloom soon!

Special Guest Speakers

Darryl One

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. One began his career in mathematics at Illinois State University and subsequently changed his major to music.  He received his undergraduate and masters degrees in composition and later attended Indiana University, completing a masters in conducting.  He participated in the Hans Swarowksy Conducting Competition in Vienna and was invited to attend Erich Leinsdorf's Symposium for Young Conductors in Aspen, Colorado.  Mr. One has recorded a number of new American works for the American Symphony Orchestra League's American Music Project with the Denver Symphony and the Oregon Symphony.  He was also one of four conductors invited to conduct the New World Symphony in Miami for the American Repertoire Project, a program designed to highlight young conductors in America.

 Particularly committed to education, Mr. One has conducted many all-state youth orchestras, several college orchestras, taught as a professor and served as music director for the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.  His culturally relevant education programs have been the center of acclaimed educational concerts in Rochester and Atlanta and he has been a frequent speaker and lecturer both on and off the podium as an advocate for symphonic music.  

 Beginning this coming summer, Mr. One will direct the orchestral conducting program at the MasterWorks Festival where he regularly conducts every summer.  This festival trains tomorrow’s young musicians and features mentoring with members of major orchestras throughout the world such as the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

 Having conducted orchestras throughout the world, Darryl One has built an impressive career as music director and guest conductor throughout orchestras in America.   Currently Music Director of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra,  Mr. One’s past positions include Associate Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony, National Endowment for the Arts / Affiliate Artists Resident Conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic, and Associate Conductor for the Denver and Charlotte Symphonies, and Music Director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.  He has appeared as guest conductor with major orchestras such as the National Symphony, Houston Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, and the Teleman Orchestra of Osaka as well as regional orchestras like the Alabama Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, and Syracuse Symphony. Mr. One has conducted at many summer festivals as well such as the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, Harbor Lights in Boston, and the MasterWorks Festival in Indiana. Active in the operatic field as well, Mr. One has conducted with Opera Memphis and the Orlando Opera.  

 Music Director of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra since 1995, Mr. One has almost doubled the number of concerts the orchestra performs during his tenure. With innovative combinations of thematic programming, staging, lighting, and concert formats, the orchestra has increased its audience while maintaining a high level of performance.  More importantly, Mr. One has raised the artistic level of the orchestra, making it one of the best orchestras in southern Texas. Many past members of the orchestra who began their orchestral careers with the VSO have gone on to careers with large regional and major orchestras.     

 Mr. One’s past positions include six successful seasons as Music Director of the Modesto Symphony.   Over his tenure, he expanded subscription doubles to triples, added a family series set of concerts, founded the Modesto Symphony Chorus, and began an annual local talent search (“Symphony Idol”) for promising young musicians.  His performances have been marked with a series of concert collaborations with local arts organizations, regular premieres, and innovative use of multimedia and theatrical elements.  

 As Associate Conductor with the Atlanta Symphony, Mr. One conducted on all regular series, special event concerts, designed and conducted the orchestra’s extensive education program, and was the primary conductor for the orchestra’s summer series at Chastain Park.  He was also editor for all the orchestra’s broadcasts on NPR. Prior to his post in Atlanta, Mr. One was National Endowment for the Arts/Affiliate Artist Resident Conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Associate Conductor for the Denver and Charlotte Symphonies.   

Debbie Durham

After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy and working in school districts around Houston, Debbie Durham and her husband, Rodney, moved to Victoria where she has been part of the music community for 35 years, and the education community for 24 years.  Debbie began her association with the Victoria Symphony in 2007 and has immensely enjoyed helping build education outreach.  She and Rodney raised 3 sons here and have added 2 daughters-in-law and 4 grandchildren to their family.  Debbie is the Director of Education for the VSO.