Tina Zhang has been a violinist with the Houston Symphony since 2011. Prior to joining the orchestra, she received her bachelor’s degree in both music and mathematics at Bard College where she studied with Weigang Li. She went on to complete her master’s degree at Rice University with Cho-Liang Lin. After starting the violin at … Continued
The Houston Symphony is excited to present a new Chamber Music Series, featuring members of the orchestra and some of this season’s most acclaimed guest soloists. With luminaries like Gil Shaham, John Storgårds, Alisa Weilerstein, and Cédric Tiberghien, the Chamber Music Series brings Houston Symphony musicians to the greater Houston community, up close and personal … Continued
Charles Seo was appointed cellist of the Houston Symphony in the summer of 2018 at age 22. Previously, he served as principal cellist in the Colburn Orchestra. Charles, who made his solo orchestral debut at age 10, has performed as guest soloist with the Houston Symphony, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and San José Chamber Orchestra. He … Continued
In February 2020, the Houston Symphony and Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada present the Schumann Festival: Angels and Demons, a celebration of German composer Robert Schumann. The signature event of the 2019–20 season, this immersive, two-week festival gives audiences the unique chance to experience the full spectrum of Schumann’s musical output while diving into one of … Continued
On October 25, 26, and 27, the Houston Symphony presents Wagner + Beethoven 2, a program of thrilling orchestral masterpieces by two of history’s most revolutionary composers. The selections from Richard Wagner’s operas Tannhäuser and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg offer moments for the brass section to shine. Allen Barnhill, principal trombone, discusses the challenges and … Continued
This Thanksgiving weekend, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada leads an all-Strauss program that showcases the virtuoso abilities of our fabulous musicians. Joining Andrés and the orchestra is world-renowned Swedish soprano Miah Persson, who sings Strauss’s Four Last Songs, the composer’s gorgeous final masterpiece. Get to know this golden-voiced artist as she discusses Strauss, new music, Texas, … Continued
Halloween is around the corner! Get in the spooky spirit with these Houston Symphony concerts filled with frights and musical delights. Mendelssohn & Mahler October 4–6 Betrayal. Murder. Pagan rituals. Ghost stories. The choral masterpieces on this program, Mendelssohn’s Die erste Walpurgisnacht and Mahler’s Das klagende Lied (perhaps inspired by the Grimms’ story The Singing … Continued
Even longtime Houston Symphony subscribers may be surprised to learn that Houston Symphony Chorus members are all volunteers. Led by Houston Symphony Chorus Director Betsy Cook Weber, the Chorus features gifted vocalists from all walks of life, each bringing their passion for music to every performance. From a German-language cantata to a contemporary Spanish-language oratorio, … Continued
On November 7, 8, 9, and 10, the Houston Symphony continues to explore John Williams’s iconic music with performances of the score to Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back live to picture. Many Houston Symphony musicians are also big Star Wars fans, including Phillip Freeman, the Houston Symphony’s bass trombonist. Here, Freeman shares … Continued
Lunada, an outdoor concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre, brings the music of the Houston Symphony to Houstonians of all backgrounds—but what is a lunada? From the Spanish for moon, a lunada is a gathering, celebration, or meeting that takes place outdoors on an evening when there is a full moon. This type of event is … Continued
This month, we welcome a new member of the Houston Symphony family, contrabassoon Adam Trussell, who joined the orchestra in June. Before joining the Houston Symphony, Adam was a full-time member of the Oregon Symphony (2011–2019) as second bassoon and of the Omaha Symphony (2005– 2011) as assistant principal bassoon. He is also principal bassoon … Continued
In February 2020, the Houston Symphony presents a two-week festival dedicated to one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era: Robert Schumann. As we approach Robert and Clara Schumann’s 179th wedding anniversary on September 12—just one day before Clara’s birthday—discover the unlikely path Schumann took to fame, his First Symphony, and love. Learn more about … Continued
On October 4, 5, and 6, Houston favorite Melody Moore, soprano, makes her Houston Symphony debut. In Mendelssohn & Mahler, Melody is a soloist in Mahler’s large-scale and dramatic cantata, Das klagende Lied. Here she answers a few questions about her wide-ranging career, as well as her Houston ties. Houston Symphony: American singers are renowned … Continued
This month, the Houston Symphony welcomes a new concertmaster: Yoonshin Song. After a rigorous and exhaustive three-year search that considered 39 top candidates from around the world, our musicians, Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada, and orchestra administrators at last found a violinist to fill the shoes of Frank Huang, who left the Houston Symphony to become … Continued
On October 11, 12, and 13, the beloved European travel guru and public television personality Rick Steves joins the Houston Symphony for a musical tour of the continent: Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey. Complete with stunning film footage of some of Europe’s most spectacular travel destinations and performances of The Blue Danube waltz, Beethoven’s … Continued
Renée Elise Goldsberry’s career is soaring, taking her to extraordinary places, and it shows no signs of slowing down. She has broken into feature films with roles in All About You, Sisters, and Pistol Whipped, and ever since she first appeared as a backup singer on Ally McBeal, she has been a compelling presence on … Continued
During these hot summer months, our musicians take a well-deserved break from Houston Symphony activities, but they still keep busy by traveling the world to teach, learn, and play with other musicians—sometimes they even find time for a vacation! Learn how a few of our musicians made the most of this summer. Brian Del Signore, … Continued
According to the Houston Chronicle, if Houston were a country, it would rank fourth in the world for refugee resettlement. Refugees are our neighbors, our colleagues, and our friends, but we do not always know their stories. For more than 450 members of Houston’s classical music community packing White Oak Music Hall on June 13, … Continued
Met with eager anticipation, the annual Theater District Open House celebrates Houston’s vibrant performing arts scene with performances, specials offers, and free, family-friendly activities. This one-day festival sees thousands of attendees keen to provide patronage to the nine participating arts organizations. The Houston Symphony’s free concert is the crowning conclusion to a day devoted to … Continued
Where can you find children singing and dancing with the Houston Symphony during summer vacation while developing literacy skills? Camp Adventure! During the month of July, the Symphony was a part of this special program presented by the Children’s Museum of Houston and the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Throughout each of the two-week camps … Continued