Middle School Concerts
The Middle School Student Concerts, presented by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, are part of the Harry and Cora Sue Mach Student Concert Series and are 55-minute, full orchestra concerts, presented in Jones Hall during the school day for students in grade 6-8 band and orchestra.
Students will hear the Houston Symphony perform and learn about the orchestra, with the goal of furthering students' involvement with music.
These concerts facilitate students’ acquisition of active listening skills.
2025-26 Middle School Concert Dates & Times
- October 29, 2025, at 9:45 AM at Jones Hall (Waitlist Only)
- October 29, 2025, at 11:20 AM at Jones Hall(Waitlist Only)
- October 30, 2025, at 9:45 AM at Jones Hall
- October 30, 2025, at 11:20 AM at Jones Hall (Waitlist Only)
- November 10, 2025, at 9:45 AM at Jones Hall
- November 10, 2025, at 11:20 AM at Jones Hall (Waitlist Only)
- November 11, 2025, at 9:45 AM at Jones Hall (Waitlist Only)
- November 11, 2025, at 11:20 AM at Jones Hall (Waitlist Only)
- November 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM at CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center (Waitlist Only)
- November 13, 2025, at 11:30 AM at CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center (Waitlist Only)
- January 27, 2026, at 9:45 AM at Jones Hall
- January 27, 2026, at 11:20 AM at Jones Hall (Waitlist Only)
Ticket Cost
- Tickets are available on a first-come first-served basis beginning 10:00am on August 19, 2025.
- Tickets are priced at $10 per seat.
- Schools with 75 percent and above economically disadvantaged populations are eligible for a discounted price of $5 per seat.
- Schools will receive one free adult ticket per 10 student tickets.
- After receiving concert confirmation, a non-refundable 50% downpayment and signed Letter of Agreement will be due by September 17, 2025 to secure your seats.
- The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to your concert date.
Registration Process
- A registration form will be available on this webpage beginning at 10:00am on August 19, 2025. Payments will not be taken upon registration. Please note that seats are limited to band and orchestra students in grades 6-8.
- Please select as many alternate concert dates / times that would be possible for your school to attend upon registration. Following form submission, Symphony staff will place your group into concerts on a first-come, first-served basis. If your primary concert choice is filled, we will place your group into any available concerts if listed as alternate concert options on your form. You will receive a confirmation email before the end of registration day with your confirmed concert date and time.
- After receiving concert confirmation, a non-refundable 50% downpayment and signed Letter of Agreement will be due by September 17, 2025 to secure your seats.
- The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to your concert date.
Program
- WAGNER/HUTSCHENRUYTER The Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walküre
- TCHAIKOVSKY No. 1 Scène from Swan Lake
- BONDS The Montgomery Variations: 3
- MENDELSSOHN Die Hebriden (The Hebrides)
- BIZET/GUIRAUD Habanera from Suite No. 2 from Carmen
- FARÍAS Retratos Australes
- SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2 in D major
- POWELL/O'LOUGHLIN How to Train Your Dragon
Transportation
- Schools are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the concert.
- Jones Hall is located at 615 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002.
- CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center is located at 11440 Matzke Rd, Cypress, TX 77429.
Additional Resources
Middle School Classroom Extensions
After watching the Introduction to the 2025-26 Middle School Concerts video and listening to the program playlist, the classroom extensions below can be used to encourage your students to explore melody vs. accompaniment on their own instruments!