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 Series, available to upper elementary students (grades 4-5) and middle school students (grades 6-8), allows students in the Greater Houston area to attend interactive HoustonSymphony orchestra performances for free or at a heavily discounted rate. Performances take place during the school day and aim to inspire students to begin or continue playing an instrument.
This series kicked off on October 12 with a UpperElementary Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Upper Elementary Concerts allow students to learn about the orchestra while building their active listening skills. This season’s program, entitledSoundsof the Orchestra: Groove, Listen and Move!, includes orchestral music from a wide array of composers such as Franz Joseph Haydn, John Williams, Duke Ellington, and more. The Middle School Concerts, presented by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, began on November 30 with a concert in Jones Hall. These concerts are designed for students who are currently in their school’s band or orchestra programs, aiming to encourage them to continue playing their instruments. The program features works that explore various ways composers can use the orchestra to show the beat and structure of melodies—from solos to musical conversations, to imitation, and fugue.
For many students, the Houston Symphony Student Concerts are their first time attending an orchestra concert. Last year, more than 18,000 students were able to attend an orchestra concert at Jones Hall and out of those students, 64 percent were economically disadvantaged. This season, we anticipate the StudentConcert Series will serve more than 42,000 students across the Greater Houston area. Your support makes it possible for thousands of students in the Greater Houston area to experience the joy of live music, regardless of their socioeconomic status. A donation of just $50 can send one student to a concert, and a donation of $100 can send two students. Visit houstonsymphony.org/donate or email giving@houstonsymphony.org to learn more about how you can support the Student Concert Series and other Houston Symphony Education and Community Engagement initiatives. —Lauren Buchanan
