This November we launched a contest on Facebook asking our subscribers to share their favorite guest soloist memories with us as part of Subscriber Appreciation Month. We received many wonderful responses, and we wanted to share the two winning memories with you here. Each of our winners will receive dinner for two at the Lancaster Hotel, located just … Continued
Every November, we like to let our subscribers know how much they mean to us. As part of Subscriber Appreciation Month, we reached out to longtime subscriber George John to ask him about his experiences with the Houston Symphony. Here’s what George had to say. Calvin Dotsey: When did you first become interested in classical music? Was … Continued
We always look forward to honoring our country’s veterans each year. As we remember the armistice that ended World War I and all the sacrifices of our soldiers before and since, it’s important to reflect on how American soldiers have fought to make the world a better place. We were recently reminded of this by a … Continued
With the help of Houston ISD district leadership, Ortiz Middle School has earned fine arts magnet status and is in its first year of offering an orchestra program. Located near Hobby Airport in southeast Houston, Ortiz Middle School’s budding orchestra program promises students new opportunities to engage with music in a less affluent part of … Continued
We caught up with wildlife photojournalist Steve Winter, who is our guest for On the Trail of Big Cats, the first of four presentations in our new National Geographic Live speaker series, presented by the Houston Symphony, beginning October 25 at Jones Hall. Your photography is stunning. Did you learn photography at the Academy of Art, or elsewhere? Also, … Continued
The Houston Symphony has made its home in the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts since it opened on October 2, 1966. The Story Behind Jones Hall Jones Hall is named after a man who financed extensive construction in downtown Houston, published the Houston Chronicle, and served in the Federal Government during the Great Depression … Continued
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a composer? Picture a blank manuscript page, whether on a computer screen or old-fashioned paper, with endless sets of five lines marching across the page…empty. Now imagine filling that space with notations that define sounds, melodies, harmonies, dissonances and instrumental effects. You must make thousands of decisions: Which instruments play when? How … Continued
On July 16, the Houston Symphony presents The Men of Motown Featuring Spectrum, a concert celebrating the rich musical legacy of some of Motown’s greatest artists. Headlining the concert will be the vocal ensemble Spectrum, one of the best Motown-style ensembles around. Spectrum vocalist Cushney Roberts took some time to share a bit of the remarkable … Continued
After many amazing performances at the Semifinal round today, our judges have after much deliberation decided on four finalists for the 2016 Ima Hogg Competition. We present them to you in alphabetical order: Samuel Chan, marimba – Koppel Marimba Concerto No. 1 This 22-year-old marimba player is a graduate of the Hong Kong Academy for … Continued
Meet Ima Hogg Competition Semi-finalist Stephanie Zyzak! This talented 22-year-old violinist currently studies with Miriam Fried at New England Conservatory. We recently got a chance to ask Stephanie a few questions about herself and her musical life. Houston Symphony: Where did you grow up and how did that community affect whom you have become? Stephanie … Continued
Meet Ima Hogg Competition Semi-finalist Charles Seo! This talented 20-year-old cellist is currently a sophomore at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Professor Ronald Leonard. We recently got a chance to ask Sam a few questions about himself and his musical life. Houston Symphony: Where did you grow up and how did that … Continued
Meet Ima Hogg Competition Semi-finalist Ron Cohen Mann! This talented 25 year old oboist is currently an Artist Diploma candidate at the Yale School of Music, studying with Stephen Taylor. We recently got a chance to ask Ron a few questions about his life in music. Houston Symphony: Where did you grow up and how did that community … Continued
Meet Ima Hogg Competition Semi-finalist Luke Hsu! This talented violinist is currently a candidate for the prestigious AD program at the Royal Academy of Music in London, studying with Rodney Friend. We recently got a chance to ask Luke a few questions about himself and his musical life. Houston Symphony: Where did you grow up and how … Continued
A junior from Galena Park High School and saxophone student, Salvador excelled locally and nationally under the guidance of Dave Connor, a Houston Symphony Community-Embedded Musician. Salvador’s growth in musical interpretation and execution prepared him for Texas Music Educators Association All-State and Interlochen auditions.
Meet Ima Hogg Competition Semi-finalist Sam Boutris! This talented 25-year-old clarinetist is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at Yale University and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Curtis Institute of Music. We recently got a chance to ask Sam a few questions about his life in music. Houston Symphony: Where did you grow up? Sam … Continued
The Houston Symphony caps off its season May 26-29 with The Cosmos, the final journey in its HD Odyssey series. Producer Duncan Copp tells us how he dovetailed high-definition video of the heavens with Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World. Houston Symphony: So far in the HD Odyssey trilogy, The Planets has taken … Continued
Meet Ima Hogg Competition Semi-finalist Christine Lee! This talented 24-year-old cellist is a recent Master of Music graduate of The Juilliard School and an artist-in-residence at Queen Elisabeth Chapelle Musicale for the 2015-16 season. We recently got a chance to ask Christine a few questions about her life in music. Houston Symphony: Where did you grow up … Continued
Venezuelan pianist, improviser and composer Gabriela Montero has won over Houston Symphony audiences many times. Aside from her performances as part of our Classical Subscription Series, she has also helped us celebrate special occasions with her awe-inspiring talent: she was the guest soloist for our 2014 ¡Bienvenido Andrés! concert, which began Andrés Orozco-Estrada’s tenure as … Continued
Meet Ima Hogg Competition Semi-finalist Brian Lin! This talented 24 year old pianist received his bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School in 2014, where he is currently pursuing his master’s degree with Joseph Kalichstein and Yoheved Kaplinsky. We recently got a chance to ask Brian a few questions about his life in music. Houston Symphony: Where did you … Continued
So often, we like to keep music in neat little genre boxes: rock music is one thing, classical another. This weekend, however, three decades of rock ‘n’ roll take center stage at Jones Hall with the Houston Symphony’s Journey, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac & More concerts. Many rock classics will get the full orchestral treatment, … Continued