Juraj Valčuha Music Director

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Behind the Scenes with Stefan Stout

Tell us a little about yourself: Growing up in a house filled with art, music, and wonderful people really set me up for a career in the arts. I hold a BFA in Arts Management from Emerson College and have worked as a lighting specialist for most of my career, but I have a very … Continued

A Twist on Tradition: Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Gets a Makeover

We all know Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker– it’s as much a part of the holidays as hot cocoa and snow (well, maybe not in Texas). But what happens when this classical piece gets a jazzy makeover? Enter Duke Ellington and his unique take on the beloved ballet. In 1960, Ellington and his collaborator Billy Strayhorn reimagined … Continued

Education and Community Engagement 2022–23 Rewind

You may know the Houston Symphony for its remarkable performances in Jones Hall, but the Symphony is also committed to enriching lives through music beyond the confines of a performance hall. The Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives are designed to reach the diverse communities of Houston through a robust array of programs. Last … Continued

Meet the Musician: Joan DerHovsepian

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

LIGHTS, CAMERA, MUSIC! FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

If you have ever watched part of a movie on mute, you know that without music, scary scenes aren’t as scary, and happy endings aren’t as happy. A live orchestra can take the emotional impact of a film to a whole new level, making suspenseful scenes terrifying, sad moments heartbreaking, and our protagonists’ victories truly … Continued

Meet the Musician: Brian Mangrum

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

Meet the Musician: Nathan Cloeter

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

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