Staff Picks for the 2025–26 Season

Jul 14, 2025

Staff Picks for the 2025–26 Season

Our new season is just one month away (and we’re counting down the days!) Need a little help deciding which concerts to see? Houston Symphony staff members are here for you! Read on for a few of their top concert picks.

“I’m looking forward to The Music of Elvis. Elvis was my grandpa's favorite singer, so it'll be sentimental to hear those songs I grew up listening to with him.” –Alex Canales, Development Ticketing Concierge

“I'm most excited for my favorite large scale repertoire—Stravinsky's Firebird, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10, Mahler's Symphony No. 9. These pieces are beautiful and so demanding, and I know our terrific Houston Symphony is more than up to the task!” –Katie Salvatore, Major Gifts Officer

“I'm excited most for The Planets, Icon: The Voices That Changed Music, and Elf in Concert!” –Mariah Martinez, Email Marketing Coordinator

“The season opener with Firebird, followed by Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7!” –Cedric Leazene Mayfield, Education & Community Engagement Project Manager, Evaluation

"The Music of Billy Joel!" –Priya Kurup, Senior Associate, Group Sales

“I am excited to see Disney’s Fantasia, along with 100 Years of Epic Film Scores.  I absolutely love film music, and the addition of the chorus to this program is intriguing.” –Tanya Lovetro, Director of Budgeting and Financial Reporting

“I’m looking forward to the concert featuring Grieg’s Peer Gynt. It’s one of the works that first “hooked” me on classical music as a child, and it’s captivating music that draws you in.” –Katy Judd, Director of Marketing

“Tristan and Isolde: Juraj conducting the Houston Symphony in Wagner with that cast (!!!).” –Eric Skelly, Sr. Director of Communications

“I’m excited for Joshua Bell’s return.” –Heather Fails, Database Administrator

“Mahler 9, Shostakovich 10, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert, and 100 Years of Iconic Film Scores.”–Meghan Miller, Special Events Associate

“The timpani concert commission (Mar. 20-22). I can't help it, I'm a percussionist!” –Olivia Allred, Education Manager

Explore Staff Picks
Opening Weekend: Valčuha Conducts Stravinsky’s <em>Firebird</em>

Opening Weekend: Valčuha Conducts Stravinsky’s Firebird

Friday, Sep. 19 – Sunday, Sep. 21

7:30 PM

King for a Day: The Music of Elvis

King for a Day: The Music of Elvis

Friday, Oct. 3 – Sunday, Oct. 5

7:30 PM

<em>Elf </em> <span style="margin-left:5px;"> In Concert</span>

Elf In Concert

Friday, Dec. 19 – Sunday, Dec. 21

7:30 PM

Piano Man: The Music of Billy Joel


Piano Man: The Music of Billy Joel


Friday, Feb. 6 – Sunday, Feb. 8

7:30 PM

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony + Timpani World Premiere

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony + Timpani World Premiere

Friday, Mar. 20 – Sunday, Mar. 22

7:30 PM

Disney’s <em>Fantasia</em> In Concert

Disney’s Fantasia In Concert

Friday, Apr. 3 – Saturday, Apr. 4

7:30 PM

Joshua Bell Returns: <em>The Elements </em> in Concert

Joshua Bell Returns: The Elements in Concert

Thursday, May. 7 – Sunday, May. 10

7:30 PM

Valčuha Conducts Mahler 9

Valčuha Conducts Mahler 9

Friday, May. 22 – Sunday, May. 24

7:30 PM

Eschenbach Conducts Mozart & Bruckner

Eschenbach Conducts Mozart & Bruckner

Saturday, Sep. 27 – Sunday, Sep. 28

7:30 PM

Journey to Light: Valčuha Conducts Shostakovich 10

Journey to Light: Valčuha Conducts Shostakovich 10

Friday, Nov. 21 – Sunday, Nov. 23

7:30 PM

<em style="margin-right: 5px;">Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi</em> In Concert

Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi In Concert

Friday, Jan. 9 – Saturday, Jan. 10

7:30 PM

Wagner’s <em>Tristan and Isolde</em>

Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde

Saturday, Feb. 28 – Sunday, Mar. 1

7:30 PM

Grieg’s <em>Peer Gynt</em>

Grieg’s Peer Gynt

Friday, Mar. 27 – Sunday, Mar. 29

7:30 PM

Icon: The Voices that Changed Music

Icon: The Voices that Changed Music

Friday, Apr. 24 – Sunday, Apr. 26

7:30 PM

<em>The Planets</em> + Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

The Planets + Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

Friday, May. 15 – Sunday, May. 17

7:30 PM

Lights! Camera! Music! 100 Years of Epic Film Scores

Lights! Camera! Music! 100 Years of Epic Film Scores

Friday, May. 29 – Sunday, May. 31

7:30 PM

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