What does the Houston Symphony have to do with the Final Four? More than you might think. A few weeks ago, Houston Symphony Chorus Manager Anna Diemer got a call from the Rice University Athletics Department. As co-sponsors of the Final Four, Rice University and the University of Houston are responsible for every detail of … Continued
Last week, two of Houston’s many community orchestras joined forces with Robert Franz and the Houston Symphony for two evenings of side-by-side rehearsals. The Houston Civic Symphony rehearsed with the Houston Symphony on Tuesday, September 2, and the Texas Medical Center Orchestra rehearsed with them on Wednesday, September 3. Each member of each community orchestra … Continued
FREE concert at Discovery Green on April 22 The Houston Symphony and Discovery Green are joining forces to celebrate their birthdays with Tango and Tchaikovsky on Tuesday, April 22. The authentically Argentinian evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with tango music by René Casarsa; tango lessons from The Argentine Tango School of Houston; free Malbec … Continued
This summer, we have planned a very special event in honor of our 100th year: Day of Music on July 13, 2013! This FREE 12-hour festival will showcase Houston’s diverse musical landscape. Attendees will spend the day at Jones Hall listening to dozens of free performances, beginning with a family concert in the morning and … Continued
This summer, we have planned a very special event in honor of our 100th year: Day of Music on July 13, 2013! This FREE 12-hour festival will showcase Houston’s diverse musical landscape. Attendees will spend the day at Jones Hall listening to dozens of free performances, beginning with a family concert in the morning and … Continued
This summer, we have planned a very special event in honor of our 100th year: Day of Music on July 13, 2013! This FREE 12-hour festival will showcase Houston’s diverse musical landscape. Attendees will spend the day at Jones Hall listening to dozens of free performances, beginning with a family concert in the morning and … Continued
This summer, we have planned a very special event in honor of our 100th year: Day of Music on July 13, 2013! This FREE 12-hour festival will showcase Houston’s diverse musical landscape. Attendees will spend the day at Jones Hall listening to dozens of free performances, beginning with a family concert in the morning and … Continued
This summer, we have planned a very special event in honor of our 100th year: Day of Music on July 13, 2013! This FREE 12-hour festival will showcase Houston’s diverse musical landscape. Attendees will spend the day at Jones Hall listening to dozens of free performances, beginning with a family concert in the morning and … Continued
By: Dr. Dominic A. Aquila Vice President, Academic Affairs University of St. Thomas The Houston Symphony’s January 22nd program is a rich offering of French and Russian music from the first quarter of the 20th-century. Among many other qualities, the program’s three pieces–Stravinsky’s Firebird, Ravel’s Pavane, and Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition–reflect … Continued
In Houston, we are blessed with a vibrant arts community, providing a multitude of performing arts opportunities where new memories will be made in this joyous season. At the University of St. Thomas, we look forward to adding another bright star to the performing arts community tree with our planned Performing Arts Center. We at … Continued
Often, when we see a performance by an ensemble from abroad, we think of how far the musicians have traveled to be there, and what that must be like. But sometimes we don’t realize just how big of an undertaking it is to transport an entire orchestra -and their instruments- to another continent. Below, Violinist … Continued
As the saying goes, “there is no rest for the weary!” Hot on the heels of our 11-12 season’s end, we at the Houston Symphony packed our bags and headed over to Moscow. We arrived safely on Wednesday and will have a little time to gather our bearings and familiarize ourselves with our surroundings before … Continued
Installment 8: Keeping Your Eye on the Ball By: Brooklynn Adelman, Houston Symphony Intern There is a great connection between music and sports. The ability of both activities to sell out stadiums and halls, maintain a massive fan base, and bring communities together is outstanding. The dedication shown by athletes as they train for hours … Continued
Installment 7: The Sound, er, Vision of Music By: Lauren Moore, Houston Symphony Intern Have you ever wondered what goes through a musician’s head when he performs, or even just sits down practice? Sure, some musicians are strictly business, carefully calculating the numerous technical details they’ve so diligently practiced over and over. Others simply let … Continued
Installment 6: Tomorrow, Houston’s very own Mercedes Smith, principal flutist of the Houston Grand Opera will be competing alongside San Francisco Bay Area native and pianist, Stephanie Ng, along with eight other musicians for the chance of a life time for a young musician – the opportunity to perform a complete concerto with the Houston … Continued
Installment 5: From New York City, 26 year old violinist Clara Lyon, who is currently a D.M.A. student at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a Juilliard alumna, will be putting her interests in classic rock, electronic music and rap aside to compete as a semi-finalist in the Ima Hogg Competition. … Continued
Installment 4: Two Russian pianists were selected as semi-finalists and will be joining us in Houston to compete in the Ima Hogg Competition. 29 year old Anna Keiserman attended The Moscow State Gnessius Academy and is currently a student at the University of Minnesota. Anna mentioned that she thought her English was pretty good until … Continued
Installment 3: Meet our two youngest Ima Hogg Competition contestants: Laura and Alan. 18 year old violinist Laura Park, from Des Plaines, IL, has been studying at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy and will be attending The Curtis Institute of Music in the fall. As the youngest participant in the competition, Laura is planning … Continued
Installment 2: 28 year old harpist, Megan Levin – Shepherd School of Music graduate, native Texan originally from Austin, and current resident of Brooklyn, NY – is thrilled to be returning to Houston to compete in the Ima Hogg Competition, and especially to indulge in Houston’s great culture and food during her stay. Similarly, 27 … Continued
Installment 1: Being selected as a semi-finalist in the internationally recognized Ima Hogg Competition is no small feat. Ten semi-finalists were selected from an applicant pool of 106 young musicians, ages 13-30, representing all of the orchestral instruments and piano, and hailing from 18 different countries. This competition is unique, as it is the most … Continued