Juraj Valčuha Music Director

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Meet the Conductor: Gonzalo Farias

Welcome to “Meet the Conductor,” a behind-the-scenes blog series getting to know the Houston Symphony’s exceptional artists. In this series, we take you up close and personal with the artists on stage at Jones Hall every weekend. Read on to learn more about the inspirations, challenges, and musical passions that drive these remarkable artists. And, … Continued

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich traditions, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans to our nation’s cultural mosaic. This season is poised to be an extraordinary celebration of Hispanic heritage, filled with captivating performances that will resonate with music lovers of all backgrounds. Let’s … Continued

Meet the Musician: Allegra Lilly

Welcome to “Meet the Musician,” a behind-the-scenes blog series getting to know the Houston Symphony’s exceptional musicians. In this series, we take you up close and personal with the artists who sit on stage at Jones Hall every weekend. Read on to learn more about the inspirations, challenges, and musical passions that drive these remarkable … Continued

Classical Music Sampling in Pop Music

Pop music has long been a melting pot of creativity, where artists borrow and reimagine sounds from various genres to craft something fresh and exciting. One of the most intriguing sources of inspiration for pop artists might surprise you: classical music. The fusion of classical melodies and contemporary beats has given rise to a unique … Continued

National Uncommon Instruments Day

Music has the incredible power to transcend time, carrying with it the stories of centuries past. The Houston Symphony has not shied away from introducing audiences to unique and rare instruments throughout history. While hundreds of instruments outside of the typical orchestral roster have been invented, only some have withstood the test of time and … Continued

Houston Symphony High School Nights

It’s Friday night at Jones Hall and the crowd is filing out into the lobby following the orchestra’s performance of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring led by Music Director Juraj Valčuha. The energy is vibrant—regular concertgoers and subscription ticketholders are buzzing about their favorite moments from the show, but it’s impossible to ignore the presence … Continued

Sound Scavenger Hunt

Hi Kids! School is almost done which means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the summer! There are so many things to do outside, but have you ever stopped to listen to the sounds around you? Next time you’re outside, take a moment to see if you can identify what you hear and join … Continued

Making Music Education Accessible: Houston Symphony’s Carver High School Residency Program

The Houston Symphony Residency at Carver High School is an intensive six-week residency, featuring weekly Community-EmbeddedMusician (CEM) workshops for orchestra students. This initiative, which began as a virtual offering in 2021 during the pandemic, is designed to help strengthen the growing orchestra program at Carver High School, which is located within the Acres Homes neighborhood—one … Continued

Dancing Through Fairy Tales

Hi, kids! Today we will be telling parts of fairy Tales through dancing and music from the stories. Fairy tales have been told for thousands of years and usually feature magic, enchantments, and mythical creatures. What are some of your favorite fairy tales? The Little Mermaid? Beauty and the Beast? Goldilocks and the Three Bears? … Continued

Music and Wellness

The steady beat of a heart monitor, the whirr of an oxygen machine, the hushed voices of physicians and nurses as they consult with patients—these are the typical sounds you hear at hospitals. However, at certain Texas Medical Center hospitals in Houston, you can hear the sweet sounds of music emanating from patients’ rooms and … Continued

Get to Know the Glenns

We sat down with longtime Symphony supporters, and upcoming 2023 Opening Night Concert and Gala chairs, Stephen and Mariglyn Glenn, to discuss their love of music, what they love most about the Houston Symphony community, and what guests should expect from next season’s Opening Night festivities. Do you have a background in music? If not, … Continued

It’s All About Who You Know: Brahms & Dvořák

Brahms and Dvořák were both great composers of the 19th century, but why pair them together in a concert? Read on to learn more about the relationship between Brahms and Dvořák ahead of the Houston Symphony’s concert of Brahms Piano Concerto & Dvořák Symphony No. 8 March 10–12. The relationship between mentor and mentee is … Continued

Play to the Beat of Your Own Drum! Kids Activity

Hi, kids! Today we are going to talk about the beat in music using the “Imperial March” from Star Wars! But what exactly is a beat? I’m glad you asked! The beat in music is a steady pulse that you feel in your body, kind of like your heartbeat or a clock tick. It’s what … Continued

Broadway By The Decades, Part 2

If you haven’t already, read the first part of the blog series! Continuing our decade-by-decade journey of 100 years of Broadway history, we begin with the 1960s to examine how each epoch of the last century put its distinct mark on the musicals you know and love today! Don’t forget to check out the first … Continued

Harmony & Heritage

Music is a universal language. Through music, we can connect and learn about the diverse perspectives of other cultures and lived experiences. The Houston Symphony is proud to highlight the repertoire of composers from diverse and historically underrepresented backgrounds. In 2020, we committed to include musical selections composed by women and people of color on … Continued

Swan Song: Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto

Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto was the last major instrumental composition he composed; it was likely premiered in Prague on October 16, 1791, less than two months before his untimely death at age 35. Mozart composed it for the clarinet virtuoso Anton Stadler, a friend and a fellow Free Mason. Little more is known of their relationship, … Continued

Broadway By the Decades, Part 1

This Spring, the Houston Symphony presents not one, not two, but three tributes to different epochs of Broadway’s illustrious 100+ year history of musicals. From the rag-tag jazz influences of Cole Porter to the epic rock-opera ballads on the frontlines of the French Revolution, concert-goers are in store for a well-rounded revue of Broadway’s evolution … Continued

Houston Symphony Student Concerts

The 2022–23 Student Concert Series is back in full swing! Jones Hall recently welcomed back thousands of students for a series of exciting and educational Symphony concerts. As students wrap up their first semester and prepare for winter break, the HoustonSymphony is gearing up for even more concerts in the new year. The Student Concert … Continued