Houston Symphony Magazine — April 2015 by Houston Symphony

APRIL 2015

PROGRAM GUIDE APRIL 2, 3, 4 p.12 | APRIL 17, 18, 19 p.16 | APRIL 24, 25, 26 p.22 | APRIL 30, MAY 1, 3 p.24

Contents April | 2015

Official Program Magazine of the Houston Symphony 615 Louisiana, Suite 102, Houston, Texas 77002 (713) 224-4240 | houstonsymphony.org For advertising contact New Leaf Publishing at (713) 523-5323 info@newleafinc.com | www.newleafinc.com | 2006 Huldy, Houston, Texas 77019

PROGRAMS

12 April 2, 3, 4 16 April 17, 18, 19 22 April 24, 25, 26 24 April 30, May 1, 3

FEATURES

4 Letter to Patrons 8 A Conversation with Jennifer Gravenor 15 Meet Composer Jennifer Higdon 21 2015-16 Family Series Preview 40 Backstage Pass—Meet the Musicians

month, conductor Robert Gravenor, 2015 Houston 15 This 8 Jennifer Spano and the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition Chair,

EVENTS

Symphony perform two works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon.

shares her vision for this year’s Competition.

6 Annual Ball—Save the Date! 7 Recent Fundraising Events Hit a High Note 20 Upcoming Performances

YOUR HOUSTON SYMPHONY

5 Chief Conductors and Music Directors 5 Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Music Director 10 Orchestra and Staff

OUR SUPPORTERS

4 New Century Society 5 New Music Director Fund 14 Symphony Society Board 27 Musician Sponsorship 28 Houston Symphony Donors 35 Houston Symphony Endowment 35 Chorus Endowment Donors 35 Leadership Council

love of music begins with us 21 Aonlifelong Saturday mornings. Turn to page 21

for a preview of our recently announced 2015-16 Family Concert Series!

On the cover Photo by Michelle Watson / Catchlight Group

The Houston Symphony currently records under its own label, Houston Symphony Media Productions, and for Naxos. Houston Symphony recordings also are available on the Telarc, RCA Red Seal, Virgin Classics and Koch International Classics labels.

Associate Conductor Robert Franz leads a Family Concert in costume. What will Robert wear next season? Don’t miss out on the Saturday morning fun! See page 21 for a preview of the 2015-16 Family Concert Series.

Acknowledgements

The Official Television Partner of the Houston Symphony

www.houstonsymphony.org

The Official Health Care Provider of the Houston Symphony

The Official Airline of the Houston Symphony

CREDITS

Mark C. Hanson Executive Director/CEO Keith Nickerson Publications Editor Elaine Reeder Mayo Editorial Consultant

newleafinc.com (713) 523-5323 Janet Meyer Publisher janetmeyer@newleafinc.com Keith Gumney Art Director kgumney@newleafinc.com Jennifer Greenberg Associate Publisher jenniferg@newleafinc.com Frances Powell Account Executive Tricia Pucciarello Account Executive Jane Kremer Account Executive Carey Clark CC Catalyst Communications Marlene Walker Walker Media LLC The activities and projects of the Houston Symphony are funded in part by grants from the City of Houston, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Texas Commission on the Arts. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion at The Woodlands is the Summer Home of the Houston Symphony. Digital pre-media services by Vertis APS Houston Contents copyright ÂŠ 2015 by the Houston Symphony

LATE SEATING In consideration of audience members, the Houston Symphony makes every effort to begin concerts on time. Ushers will assist with late seating at pre-designated intervals. You may be asked to sit in a location other than your ticketed seat until the end of that portion of the concert. You will be able to move to your ticketed seat at the concert break. CHILDREN AT CONCERTS In consideration of our patrons, we ask that children be 6 years and older to attend Houston Symphony concerts. Children of all ages, including infants, are admitted to Family Concerts. Any child over age 1 must have a ticket for those performances. CAMERAS, RECORDERS, CELL PHONES & PAGERS Cameras and recorders are not permitted in the hall. Patrons may not use any device to record or photograph performances. Please silence cell phones, pagers and alarm watches and refrain from texting during performances. April 2015

LETTER TO PATRONS

Photo by Anthony Rathbun

This month, we are thrilled to welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon to Jones Hall. Known for their collaborations, Jennifer will join conductor Robert Spano on April 17, 18 and 19 to present two of her works: blue cathedral and Concerto for Orchestra. We invite you to turn to page 15 to learn more about Jennifer and the importance of an orchestra performing innovative works by contemporary composers in addition to the standard classical repertoire. Also featured on the program is piano “titan” Garrick Ohlsson performing Chopin’s beautifully expressive Concerto No. 1. The innovative programming continues in our Family Series concerts this month with the world premiere of Schoolhouse Rock! on April 25. And there are plenty more Family Series concerts in the works! We’re pleased and grateful to announce that Associate Conductor Robert Franz, who has been leading our family and student concerts for seven seasons, has extended his tenure with the Houston Symphony for at least two more years. Next month, we hope you will join Andrés and the orchestra for the 2014-15 season-closing performances at Jones Hall. Andrés will be joined by violinist James Ehnes to perform one of the most profound works for the violin repertoire, Beethoven’s glorious Violin Concerto. A few days later, Andrés will be joined by the inimitable pianist Lang Lang, whom The Wall Street Journal has nicknamed a classical music “rock star.” On May 15, 16 and 17, in the final classical performance of the regular season, Andrés conducts Mahler’s colossal Symphony No. 3, which will feature the Parker Elementary School Advanced Chorus and the Women of the Houston Symphony Chorus. Please join us as we explore the power and beauty of nature through the colorful sounds of the orchestra and this spectacular choral work. To close out the season on another high note, we hope you will join us at the Houston Symphony Ball on May 2. Please read more about our signature annual event, which includes a silent auction and seated dinner, on page 6. Thank you for your patronage and support during Andrés’ inaugural season! We hope you share our excitement for not only the upcoming summer performances and concert season, but also for the Houston Symphony’s increasing relevance and accessibility within our great city, as we strive for our programs to matter more to more people.

Photo by bruce bennett

Robert A. Peiser President

Mark C. Hanson Executive Director/CEO

New Century Society for Artistic Excellence and Innovation The New Century Society for Artistic Excellence and Innovation recognizes the Houston Symphony’s most committed and loyal supporters who have pledged their leadership support over a three-year period to help secure the orchestra’s financial future. For more information or to pledge your support, please contact Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO, at (713) 238-1411 or David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, at (713) 337-8525.

Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Janice H. Barrow Mr. George P. Mitchell Mrs. Kitty King Powell Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Margaret Alkek Williams The Honorable & Mrs. David H. Dewhurst Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Mike Stude Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Robin Angly & Miles Smith Rochelle & Max Levit Cora Sue & Harry Mach Joella & Steven P. Mach Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks

www.houstonsymphony.org

Houston Methodist Nancy & Robert Peiser Mr. & Mrs. William K. Robbins Jr./ The Robbins Foundation Laura & Michael Shannon Baker Botts L.L.P. Beauchamp Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John P. Dennis III Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn The Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation Barbara & Pat McCelvey John B. Onstott / Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Sloan Jr./ Houston Baptist University Wells Fargo

ANDRÉS OROZCO-ESTRADA

photo by dave rossman

Andrés Orozco-Estrada began his tenure as the Houston Symphony’s 15th Music Director this season. He is the orchestra’s first Hispanic Music Director. Also this season, he began as chief conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Andrés will take up the position of principal guest conductor with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2015. With a South American heritage and European training steeped in the Viennese tradition, Andrés is noted for his performances of classical and Romantic Central European symphonic repertoire. He is also passionate about innovative concert formats and performances of contemporary music, choral works and opera. In concert, Andrés radiates energy from the podium and has a special talent for sharing his admiration of music with his audience. He is fluent in Spanish, German and English. Andrés was born in 1977 in Medellin, Colombia, and began his musical studies in violin. He first conducted at age 15 when he was asked to lead the youth orchestra of his school. At 19, he traveled to Vienna to further his study of music. He entered the Vienna Music Academy, where he studied with Uroš Lajovic, a pupil of the legendary Hans Swarowsky (a student of Felix Weingartner, Richard Strauss, Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern), and

completed his degree with distinction, conducting the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Vienna Musikverein. Currently, Andrés is the music director of the Tonkünstler Orchestra, which also performs at the Vienna Musikverein, a position he will relinquish in the summer of 2015. Andrés made his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic in the Musikverein in 2010, replacing EsaPekka Salonen, and in 2012, he returned to replace Riccardo Muti. Both performances received critical praise, with Andrés proclaimed a “brilliant stand-in” (Wiener Zeitung), an “eminent talent” (Die Presse), a “stand-in worth his weight in gold” (Kurier) and “an inspired master of communication” (Der Standard). As a result, Andrés has been invited to conduct the orchestra again during the 2015-16 season. Over the past two years, he has conducted many prominent European orchestras, including the Munich Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, City of Birmingham Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Santa Cecilia Orchestra in Rome, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. Highlights of the 2014-15 season include debuts with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra.

THE NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR FUND The New Music Director Fund supports the concert activities of Andrés Orozco-Estrada in his year as Music Director Designate (201314 Centennial Season) and his first years as Music Director of the Houston Symphony (2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons). Andrés, appointed in January 2013, is a young, dynamic conductor who radiates charm and energy both on and off the podium. He is the orchestra’s first Hispanic music director. photo by julie soefer

For information on how to become involved, please contact Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO, at (713) 238-1411 or David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, at (713) 337-8525.

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Margaret Alkek Williams

Janice H. Barrow Mr. Gary V. Beauchamp & Ms. Marian Wilfert Beauchamp Barbara & Pat McCelvey Nancy & Robert Peiser Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Mike Stude Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

CHIEF CONDUCTORS AND MUSIC DIRECTORS Julien Paul Blitz (1913-16)

Sir John Barbirolli (1961-67)

Paul Bergé (1916-18)

André Previn (1967-69)

Uriel Nespoli (1931-32)

Lawrence Foster (1971-78)

Frank St. Leger (1932-35)

Sergiu Comissiona (1980-88)

Ernst Hoffmann (1936-47)

Christoph Eschenbach (1988-99)

Efrem Kurtz (1948-54) Ferenc Fricsay (1954) Leopold Stokowski (1955-61)

Hans Graf (2001-13) Andrés Orozco-Estrada (2014-)

April 2015

annual ball—save the date!

Make Plans for the 2015 Houston Symphony Ball Houston Symphony Ball Saturday, May 2, 2015 Hilton Americas-Houston 6pm

Presenting Sponsor

Lisa and Jerry Simon, Chairs Sherry and Jim Smith, Chairs Ileana and Michael Treviño, Auction Chairs Jennifer and Steve Dolman, After Party Chairs

Huey Lewis and The News

Make plans to join us for the annual Houston Symphony Ball. Experience an extravagant evening featuring musical performances by headliner Huey Lewis and The News and Tony and Grammy award nominee Michael Cavanaugh. The marvelous evening will also include a silent auction, seated dinner and after party featuring BPM by Bobby Yang. All proceeds benefit the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Programming. Also on this special evening, please help us honor several esteemed and beloved Houston Symphony family members: Ima Hogg Philanthropy Award Betty and Jesse B. Tutor Mike Stude Award for Enduring Artistic Vision Cora Sue and Harry Mach Raphael Fliegel Award for Visionary Leadership Nancy and Robert A. Peiser With Special Honorees, Andrés and Julia Orozco-Estrada

Lisa and Jerry Simon

“We are so pleased to chair the first Houston Symphony Ball of the orchestra’s second century. To build on the momentum from last year’s Centennial, the 2015 Ball will be unique, thrilling and surprising. The Symphony has never celebrated a Ball in a format like this, and we look forward to celebrating its success on May 2!” – Sherry & Jim Smith and Lisa & Jerry Simon, Symphony Ball Chairs Tables for 12: $100,000 Tables for 10: $50,000; $25,000 and $15,000 Individual Tickets: $6,250; $2,500 and $1,500 For more information or to purchase tables and tickets, please contact the Houston Symphony Special Events Team at (713) 238-1485 or specialevents@houstonsymphony.org.

Jim and Sherry Smith

www.houstonsymphony.org

events

Annual Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction is a Scrumptious Success On Friday, March 13, more than 300 patrons gathered at The Corinthian for the Houston Symphony’s Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction chaired by Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia. Guests enjoyed a multi-course seated dinner created by guest celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. The meal was prepared by Jackson and Company with wine pairings by Lindy and John Rydman of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. Bergner and Johnson designed the elegant décor. Throughout the evening, guests browsed the auction that was filled with vintage and fine wines, spirits and exquisite wine-related packages led by Collector’s Auction Chairman Robert Weiner. The Houston Symphony thanks our Lead Supporters: Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge, Lead Corporate Underwriter Wells Fargo Bank, Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Joella and Steven P. Mach, Cathy and Dr. Gary Brock, Dr. Gary Coleman and Ms. Andrea Coughlin-Rowley, The Honorable and Mrs. David H. Dewhurst, Cuisine Partner Jackson and Company, Wolfgang Puck, Robin Angly and Miles Smith, Linda and Gene Dewhurst, Betty and Jesse B. Tutor, Margaret Alkek Williams, and Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. Thank you to everyone who supported the Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction, which raised more than $500,000 in support of the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Programming.

Gina & Dr. Devinder Bhatia

Margaret Alkek Williams and Chef Wolfgang Puck

David & Viviana Denechaud and Valerie & Tracy Dieterich

Our Annual Children’s Fashion Show and Luncheon is Always in Vogue On Sunday, March 8, nearly 300 guests, Chairs Susan and Dick Hansen, Brittany and Travis Cassin, and Honorary Chairs Courtney and Bill Toomey joined the Houston Symphony League and the Houston Symphony Society in the River Oaks Country Club Ballroom for the always-in-vogue Children’s Fashion Show and Luncheon, “Alice in Wonderland.” The décor created by The Events Company included whimsical trees and teacups on the tables and a runway that looked like it was plucked from the scenes of Alice in Wonderland. More than 30 young models walked the runway in spring fashions from Neiman Marcus, and as each model walked, Stacy Swift of Neiman Marcus Susan Hansen, Brittany Cassin, Courtney and Bill Toomey announced each model’s grown-up plans. After the show, the children enjoyed arts and crafts that included face painting, balloon animals and the Instrument Petting Zoo. The Houston Symphony thanks the event’s generous donors and supporters, including presenting sponsor BB&T and our lead supporters Brittany and Travis Cassin; Susan and Dick Hansen; Susan D. and Fayez Sarofim; Ann and Marc Laird; and Andrews Kurth LLP. This year’s Children’s Fashion Show and Luncheon raised more than $70,000 benefiting the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Programming.

Callie, Hayes and Billy Toomey

April 2015

feature

A Conversation with Jennifer Gravenor, 2015 Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition Chair

photo by anthony rathbun

Houston Symphony Magazine: In 2015, the Houston Symphony marks the 40th year of the Competition. Why is this year significant? Jennifer Gravenor: This special anniversary marks a 40year commitment by the Houston Symphony and the Houston Symphony League to provide education and performance opportunities for promising young professional musicians. I am delighted to be the Chair of this year’s Competition and look forward to the Finals concert, which is always one of the most exciting moments of the season. HSM: What are some of the recent changes and unique opportunities provided to the competitors?

Jennifer and Joshua Gravenor

2015 HOUSTON SYMPHONY IMA HOGG COMPETITION A partnership between the Houston Symphony League and the Houston Symphony

JG: Over the last several years, we have worked diligently to enhance the experience for the competitors. As the reputation of the Competition grows, the bar is constantly being raised, and we continue to attract top-tier talent from around the globe. Recent changes include significant increases to prize money, greater publicity and the opportunity for our four finalists to perform with the Houston Symphony in front of a full house. All of these elements create a unique experience and position the Competition as a leading international destination for talent. HSM: What is your vision for this year’s Competition?

Finals: Saturday, June 6, 2015, 7pm Location: Stude Concert Hall— Shepherd School of Music, Rice University Get involved: Support the Competition with a charitable gift. Contact Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev at (713) 337-8522 or agnieszka.r@houstonsymphony.org. Experience the Finals concert for only $25. Call (713) 224-7575 or visit www.houstonsymphony.org.

League

www.houstonsymphony.org

JG: I would like to leverage the recent enhancements to make the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition a prominent fixture in Houston’s arts scene as well as among young professional musicians worldwide. Additionally, with the help of our dedicated Committee members, we continue to explore new and exciting ways to introduce our competitors to the Houston community at large. As we celebrate the Competition’s 40th Anniversary, we recognize the countless supporters over the last four decades and look forward to formally celebrating the past chairs whose efforts have established the prominence of the Ima Hogg Competition among the international music community. HSM: Can you share some success stories of recent winners of the Competition? JG: We are delighted to witness the incredible impact this Competition can have on a young musician’s career. After a competitive audition process, the 2012 winner Megan Conley has joined the Houston Symphony as Principal Harpist. Last year’s winner, clarinetist Lin Ma, is also on the Jones Hall stage, performing on a one-year contract. We are deeply proud of both of these young musicians. Their remarkable success demonstrates the power the Competition has to attract top talent to the city of Houston. It also serves as a proof statement of both the caliber of competitors and its ability to source the next generation of Houston Symphony musicians.

EducaTIon and Community Engagement The Houston Symphony acknowledges those individuals, corporations and foundations that support our education and community engagement activities. Each year, these activities impact the lives of more than 97,000 children and students and provide access to our world-class orchestra for more than 150,000 Houstonians free of charge. GUARANTOR - $100,000+ Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts The Honorable David H. Dewhurst City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board Houston Endowment Houston Symphony Endowment John & Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods UNDERWRITER - $50,000+ Cameron International Corporation The Elkins Foundation ExxonMobil GDF SUEZ Energy North America Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo The John P. McGovern Foundation Mr. and Mrs. William K. Robbins Jr./ The Robbins Foundation Shell Oil Company

SPONSOR - $25,000+ The Boeing Company Mr. & Mrs. John P. Dennis III Sterling-Turner Foundation PARTNER - $15,000+ Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Ruth and Ted Bauer Family Foundation The Melbern G. and Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation Macy’s Wells Fargo

BENEFACTOR - $5,000+ Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Houston Symphony League Bay Area Randalls Food Markets Strake Foundation DONOR - $1,000+ Lilly and Thurmon Andress Diane and Harry Gendel Kinder Morgan Foundation Robert W. & Pearl Wallis Knox Foundation Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation Cora Sue and Harry Mach Nancy and Robert Peiser Chester Pitts Foundation Tricia and Mark Rauch Texas Commission on the Arts

SUPPORTER - $10,000+ CenterPoint Energy East West Bank Enbridge Energy Company George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Houston Symphony League Symphony Scouts is supported by Cora Sue and Marathon Oil Corporation Harry Mach in honor of Roger Daily’s 13 years of The Powell Foundation service as Director of the Houston Symphony’s Schlumberger, Ltd. education and community programs. Vivian L. Smith Foundation

These programs are also supported by the following endowed funds which are part of the Houston Symphony Endowment: Margarett & Alice Brown Endowment Fund for Education Lawrence E. Carlton M.D. Endowment Fund for Youth Programs Richard P. Garmany Fund for the Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition The William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Education Programs Selma S. Neumann Fund Spec’s Charitable Foundation Salute to Educators Concert Fund Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition Endowed Fund

April 2015

ORCHESTRA AND STAFF Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO

Andr茅s Orozco-Estrada, Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

Michael Krajewski

Principal Pops Conductor

Hans Graf

Conductor Laureate

Robert Franz

Associate Conductor Sponsor, Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge

FIRST VIOLIN Frank Huang, Concertmaster Max Levine Chair Eric Halen, Associate Concertmaster Ellen E. Kelley Chair Assia Dulgerska, Assistant Concertmaster Cornelia and Meredith Long Chair Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster Fondren Foundation Chair Marina Brubaker Sergei Galperin MiHee Chung Rodica Gonzalez Ferenc Illenyi Si-Yang Lao** Kurt Johnson Christopher Neal Oleg Chelpanov* Anastasia Sukhopara* Eugenia Zharzhavskaya* Michelle Black* SECOND VIOLIN Jennifer Owen, Principal** Sophia Silivos, Acting Principal Hitai Lee, Acting Associate Principal Kiju Joh Mihaela Frusina Ruth Zeger Martha Chapman Kevin Kelly** Tong Yan Tina Zhang Amy Teare** Maxine Kuo* Lindsey Baggett* VIOLA Wayne Brooks, Principal Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Legacy Society Chair Joan DerHovsepian, Associate Principal George Pascal, Assistant Principal Wei Jiang Linda Goldstein Sheldon Person Fay Shapiro Daniel Strba Phyllis Herdliska Suzanne LeFevre* CELLO Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Janice and Thomas Barrow Chair Christopher French, Associate Principal Anthony Kitai Jeffrey Butler Kevin Dvorak Xiao Wong Myung Soon Lee James R. Denton Hellen Weberpal*

DOUBLE BASS Robin Kesselman, Principal David Malone, Associate Principal Mark Shapiro Eric Larson Burke Shaw Donald Howey Michael McMurray FLUTE Aralee Dorough, Principal General Maurice Hirsch Chair Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal Judy Dines Rebecca Powell Garfield* PICCOLO Rebecca Powell Garfield* OBOE Jonathan Fischer, Principal Lucy Binyon Stude Chair Anne Leek, Associate Principal Colin Gatwood Adam Dinitz ENGLISH HORN Adam Dinitz CLARINET Thomas LeGrand, Acting Principal Christian Schubert, Acting Associate Principal Lin Ma* Alexander Potiomkin E-FLAT CLARINET Christian Schubert BASS CLARINET Alexander Potiomkin Tassie and Constantine S. Nicandros Chair

TRUMPET Mark Hughes, Principal George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Chair John DeWitt, Associate Principal Robert Walp, Assistant Principal TROMBONE Allen Barnhill, Principal Bradley White, Associate Principal Phillip Freeman BASS TROMBONE Phillip Freeman TUBA Dave Kirk, Principal TIMPANI Ronald Holdman, Principal Brian Del Signore, Associate Principal PERCUSSION Brian Del Signore, Principal Mark Griffith Matthew Strauss HARP Megan Conley, Principal KEYBOARD Scott Holshouser, Principal ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER Michael Gorman ASSISTANT ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER Shana Bey LIBRARIAN Thomas Takaro

BASSOON Rian Craypo, Principal Eric Arbiter, Associate Principal Elise Wagner J. Jeff Robinson

ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS Erik Gronfor Michael McMurray

CONTRABASSOON J. Jeff Robinson

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Position Open

HORN William VerMeulen, Principal Robert Johnson, Associate Principal Brian Thomas Nancy Goodearl Katharine Caliendo*

STAGE TECHNICIANS Toby Blunt Zoltan Fabry Cory Grant

STAGE MANAGER Kelly Morgan

*Contracted Substitute ** On Leave

Steinway is the official piano of the Houston Symphony and James B. Kozak serves as Piano Technician. The Houston Symphony has two Steinway concert grand pianos. One is a gift of Mrs. Helen B. Rosenbaum in 2001. The other is a Centennial gift from the Houston Symphony Central and Bay Area Leagues in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Houston Symphony League which was celebrated during the 2012-13 season.

www.houstonsymphony.org

Pam Blaine, Chief of Education and Community Programming Steven Brosvik, General Manager/ Chief Operations Officer David Chambers, Chief Development Officer Aurelie Desmarais, Chief of Artistic Planning Amanda Dinitz, Chief of Strategic Initiatives Rauli Garcia, Chief Financial Officer Glenn Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer Meg Philpot, Director, Human Resources Stacey Spears, Executive Assistant and Board Liaison Artistic Sarah Berggren, Chorus Manager Erik Gronfor, Assistant Librarian Michael McMurray, Assistant Librarian Lesley Sabol, Director, Popular Programming Thomas Takaro, Librarian Roxanna Tehrani, Artistic Assistant Rebecca Zabinski, Manager, Artistic Administration Development Darryl de Mello, Associate Director, Annual Fund Noureen Faizullah, Development Operations Manager Mark Folkes, Senior Director, Development Vickie Hamley, Director, Volunteer Services Sydnee E. Houlette, Development Assistant, Institutional Giving Irma Molina, Development Associate, Gifts and Records Tyler Murphy, Assistant, Special Events Laura Neiman, Manager, Special Events Patrick Quinn, Director, Planned Giving Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev, Development Officer Martin Schleuse, Development Communications Manager Sarah Slemmons, Patron Donor Relations Manager Alexandra Yates, Director, Special Events Education/Community Partnerships Allison Conlan, Education Manager Melissa Fuller, Education & Community Programming Assistant Steve Wenig, Director, Community Partnerships Finance/Administration/IT Sally Brassow, Controller Heather Fails, Manager, Ticketing Database Desmond Robinson, Director, IT Janis Pease LaRocque, Manager, Patron Database Kay Middleton, Receptionist Maria Ross, Payroll Manager Armin (A.J.) Salge, Network Systems Engineer Brandon VanWaeyenberghe, Director, Business Analytics Chris Westerfelt, Manager, Accounts Payable and Special Projects Marketing/Communications Sara Alvarado, Graphic Designer Vanessa Astros-Young, Senior Director, Communications Jeffrey Block, Assistant Marketing Manager Calvin Dotsey, Digital Marketing Coordinator Jeff Gilmer, Assistant Manager, Patron Services Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee, Senior Director, Marketing and Sales Jason Landry, Senior Manager, Patron Services Melissa H. Lopez, Director, Single Tickets & Special Projects Keith Nickerson, Publications Editor Sarah Rend贸n, Patron Services Coordinator Jacqueline Shumate, Marketing Manager Jenny Zuniga, Director, Patron Services Operations Shana Bey, Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager Michael Gorman, Orchestra Personnel Manager Kelly Morgan, Stage Manager Kathryn Wene, Operations Assistant Meredith Williams, Associate Director of Operations

Thanks to these Generous Contributors!

Nearly $110K Raised for Historic Jones Hall Performance by Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra On November 3, 2014, Houston audiences attended a very special concert at Jones Hall commemorating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Houston Symphony and the Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association presented the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra in conjunction with the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Houston. This performance was made possible through the generous contributions totaling nearly $110,000 by more than 50 donors, including leadership support from M.D. Anderson Foundation, James J. Coulas, Jr. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Weldbend Corporation, Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth and Dr. Ken Hyde, and Houston Saengerbund. The Houston Symphony is grateful to our donors and chairs for helping make this concert possible. Thank you! Mayor Annise D. Parker, City of Houston Mayor Burkhard Jung, City of Leipzig

Honorary Chairs President George H.W. Bush Secretary of State James A. Baker III

Partner M.D. Anderson Foundation James J. Coulas, Jr. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Weldbend Corporation Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Ken Hyde Houston Saengerbund

Underwriting Chairs Wolfgang Schmidt Angelika Schmidt-Lange

Supporter Eric S. Anderson Robin Angly & Miles Smith City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Houston Team Alloys LLC John G. Turner & Jerry G. Fischer

April 2015 11

april 2, 3, 4, 2015

U.K. Rocks From The Beatles to Coldplay Michael Krajewski, conductor Storm Large, vocalist J. Robert Spencer, vocalist Thursday, April 2, 2015 8pm Friday, April 3, 2015 8pm Saturday, April 4, 2015 8pm

J. Lynne/Arr. S. Shoup Tribute to the Electric Light Orchestra

Jones Hall

Townshend/J. Castellon Pinball Wizard

J. Hurley-R. Wilkins/J. Pierson Son-of-a-Preacher Man

G. Brooker-K. Reid-M. Fisher/J. Stephenson A Whiter Shade of Pale

Sting/T. Ricketts Every Breath You Take V. Morrison/Shoup Moondance

Lennon-McCartney/Prechel A Day In the Life Arr. T. Berens Rolling Stones Medley

R. Plant-J. Page-J. Bonham/Shoup Kashmir

McCartney/M. Herman Maybe I’m Amazed

R. Waters-D. Gilmour/Shoup Money/Comfortably Numb

A. Lennox-D. Stewart/Shoup Sweet Dreams Are Made of This/Here Comes the Rain Again

E. John-B. Taupin/J. Spangler Goodbye Yellow Brick Road T. Newman/Prechel Suite from Skyfall—

A. Adkins-P. Epworth/W. Smith Skyfall from Skyfall

G. Berryman-J. Buckland- Viva la Vida W. Champion-C. Martin/Prechel P. Gabriel/Berens Solsbury Hill

www.houstonsymphony.org

uk rocks—from the beatles to coldplay | april 2, 3, 4

biographies MICHAEL KRAJEWSKI, conductor

POPS POPS

Cynthia Woods Mitchell at Jones Hall

POPS Presenting Sponsor

These performances are generously supported in part by: Sponsor United Airlines Mr. Ralph Burch Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation.

United Airlines has been a long-time supporter of a variety of charitable organizations, believing it is essential for a global corporation to be socially responsible. United’s philosophy has always been to demonstrate excellent corporate citizenship in its interactions with its employees, the community and the environment. United Airlines operates more than 5,000 flights a day to more than 370 airports on six continents. United flew 138 million passengers in 2014. More than 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world, with more than 15,000 in Houston. United was named the 2014 “Airline of the Year” by Global Traveler, and the publication’s readers voted MileagePlus Best Frequent-Flyer Program for the 11th consecutive year. “United Airlines is committed to being a good corporate citizen of the many communities we serve. We are proud to be the Official Airline of the Houston Symphony.” —Jeff Smisek, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Airlines

Known for his entertaining programs and clever humor, Michael Krajewski is a much sought after conductor of symphonic pops. In addition to his position as Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston Symphony, he serves the same role in Jacksonville and Atlanta and is the newly appointed music director of The Philly Pops. As a guest conductor, Mike has performed with the Cleveland and Philadelphia Orchestras; the Boston and Cincinnati Pops; the San Francisco, Baltimore, Detroit, Indianapolis, Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and National Symphonies; and numerous other orchestras across the United States. In Canada, he has led Ottawa’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, and the Edmonton, Winnipeg and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphonies. Mike is the conductor of the video Silver Screen Serenade with violinist Jenny Oaks Baker that aired worldwide on BYU Broadcasting. He has led the Houston Symphony on two holiday albums: Glad Tidings and Christmas Festival. This season, he conducts his original Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel program all over North America featuring national touring artists AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle. His other collaborative programs have included Jason Alexander, Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Ben Folds and many more. With degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Mike furthered his training at the Pierre Monteux Domaine School for Conductors. He lives in Orlando, Florida, with his wife, Darcy.

STORM LARGE, vocalist Storm Large cartwheeled out of the gutter of her checkered past, across a thousand punk rock stages and into a rock ‘n’ roll reality series. From there, she toured the world, singing in 17 languages, behaving herself somewhat, with the joyful little pop orchestra, Pink Martini. This ultimately led to her success at Carnegie Hall singing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Large explains a bit of her wild life in her 2012 memoir, Crazy Enough (Simon and Schuster). Selected as Oprah’s book of the week, it also won the 2013 Oregon Book Award for creative non-fiction. Her award-winning one-woman show of the same name, broke every box office record at Portland Center Stage in 2010. In 2014, Large performed at the Gilmore Festival with pianist Kirill Gerstein, appeared at the Ojai Music Festival with The Knights and at Chicago’s Grant Park Music Festival. Last fall, she released Le Bonheur, named for her band, on Pink Martini’s label, Heinz Records. The recording is a collection of tortured and titillating love songs—beautiful, familiar and subversive. This season, in addition to this Houston Symphony debut, she debuts with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Dublin’s RTÉ Concert Orchestra, among others. Storm Large still tours with Pink Martini, and in her free time, she is co-writing a new musical for The Public Theater of New York City. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 April 2015 13

Symphony Society Board Executive Committee

President Robert A. Peiser

Chairman of the Board Jesse B. Tutor

Executive Director/CEO Mark C. Hanson

Immediate Past President Robert B. Tudor III

Chairman Emeritus Mike S. Stude

Vice President, Artistic and Orchestra Affairs Justice Brett Busby

President Elect and Vice President, Board Governance and Secretary Steven P. Mach

Vice President, Volunteers and Special Events Mary Lynn Marks

Vice President, Community Partnerships Donna Shen

Vice President, Education Billy McCartney

Vice President, Development Jerry Simon

General Counsel Paul R. Morico

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Adam Dinitz, Orchestra Representative Vicki West, President, Houston Symphony League Sergei Galperin, Orchestra Representative Mark Hughes, Orchestra Representative Rodney Margolis Stacey Spears, Assistant Secretary Ed Wulfe, Immediate Past Chair

Vice President, Finance Anthony Bohnert Vice President, Popular Programming Danielle Batchelor Vice President, Marketing and Communications Gloria G. Pryzant President, Endowment Steven P. Mach

At-Large Members Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Janet Clark Gene Dewhurst Helen Shaffer Jim R. Smith

Governing Directors Graham Baker Joanna Barrett * Janice H. Barrow Danielle Batchelor Darlene Bisso Anthony Bohnert Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Terry Ann Brown Ralph Burch Justice Brett Busby Donna Josey Chapman Janet Clark Michael H. Clark Audrey Cochran Ryan Colburn Scott Cutler Andrew Davis

Trustees

Samuel Abraham Philip Bahr Gary Beauchamp Devinder Bhatia, M.D. Meherwan Boyce Walter Bratic Barbara Burger Prentiss Burt Cheryl Byington John Caley Dougal Cameron Lynn Caruso * John T. Cater Evan D. Collins, M.D. MBA Cindy Deere Past Presidents of the Houston Symphony Society Mrs. Edwin B. Parker Miss Ima Hogg Mrs. H. M. Garwood Joseph A. Mullen, M.D. Joseph S. Smith Walter H. Walne H. R. Cullen Gen. Maurice Hirsch Charles F. Jones Fayez Sarofim John T. Cater Richard G. Merrill Ellen Elizardi Kelley John D. Platt E. C. Vandagrift Jr. J. Hugh Roff Jr. Robert M. Hermance Gene McDavid Janice H. Barrow Barry C. Burkholder Rodney H. Margolis Jeffrey B. Early

Viviana Denechaud Gene Dewhurst Michael Doherty Susanna Dokupil John Esquivel Kelli Cohen Fein, M.D. Tom Fitzpatrick Julia Frankel David Frankfort Ronald G. Franklin Allen Gelwick Mauro Gimenez Stephen Glenn Susan Hansen Stephanie C. Hildebrandt Gary L. Hollingsworth, M.D. Brian James

Joan Kaplan * Ulyesse LeGrange Rochelle Levit, Ph.D. * Cora Sue Mach Steven P. Mach Paul M. Mann, M.D. * Rodney Margolis Jay Marks Mary Lynn Marks David Massin Jackie Wolens Mazow Billy McCartney Barbara McCelvey * Alexander K. McLanahan Kevin O. Meyers Paul R. Morico Bobbie Newman

Robert A. Peiser David Pruner Stephen D. Pryor Gloria G. Pryzant Ron Rand John Rydman Manolo Sanchez Helen Shaffer Donna Shen Jerry Simon Jim R. Smith Miles Smith Jim Stein * Mike S. Stude William J. Toomey III * Robert B. Tudor III * Betty Tutor

* Jesse B. Tutor Judith Vincent Margaret Waisman, M.D. Fredric A. Weber Mrs. S. Conrad Weil Robert Weiner * Margaret Alkek Williams * Ed Wulfe Scott Wulfe David Wuthrich Robert A. Yekovich Ex-Officio James Moore

Azar Delpassand Ronald DePinho, M.D. Tracy Dieterich Craig A. Fox Mary Fusillo Evan B. Glick Julie Gorte Stanley Haas Eric Haufrect, M.D. Kathleen Hayes Marianne Ivany Rita Justice Catherine Kaldis I. Ray Kirk, M.D. Carlos J. Lopez

Carolyn Mann Michael Mann, M.D. Judy Margolis John Matzer III * Gene McDavid Gary Mercer Marilyn Miles Michael Mithoff Janet Moore Tassie Nicandros Scott S. Nyquist Dana Ondrias John Onstott Edward Osterberg Jr. Chester M. Pitts II

Greg Powers, Ph.D. Richard A. Rabinow Roman F. Reed Gabriel Rio Richard Robbins, M.D. * J. Hugh Roff Jr. * Michael E. Shannon Robert Sloan, Ph.D. Jule Smith David Stanard David Tai L. Proctor (Terry) Thomas Andrew Truscott Art Vivar Vicki West

James T. Willerson, M.D. Steven J. Williams Frank Yonish Ex-Officio Adam Dinitz Sergei Galperin Mark C. Hanson Mark Hughes Stacey Spears

Michael E. Shannon Ed Wulfe Jesse B. Tutor Robert B. Tudor III Past Presidents of the Houston Symphony League Miss Ima Hogg Mrs. John F. Grant Mrs. J. R. Parten Mrs. Andrew E. Rutter Mrs. Aubrey Leon Carter Mrs. Stuart Sherar Mrs. Julian Burrows Ms. Hazel Ledbetter Mrs. Albert P. Jones Mrs. Ben A. Calhoun Mrs. James Griffith Lawhon Mrs. Olaf La Cour Olsen Mrs. Ralph Ellis Gunn Mrs. Leon Jaworski Mrs. Garrett R. Tucker Jr. Mrs. M. T. Launius Jr. Mrs. Thompson McCleary

www.houstonsymphony.org

Mrs. Theodore W. Cooper Mrs. Allen H. Carruth Mrs. David Hannah Jr. Mary Louis Kister Ellen Elizardi Kelley Mrs. John W. Herndon Mrs. Charles Franzen Mrs. Harold R. DeMoss Jr. Mrs. Edward H. Soderstrom Mrs. Lilly Kucera Andress Ms. Marilou Bonner Mrs. W. Harold Sellers Mrs. Harry H. Gendel Mrs. Robert M. Eury Mrs. E. C. Vandagrift Jr. Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Terry Ann Brown Nancy Strohmer Mary Ann McKeithan Ann Cavanaugh Mrs. James A. Shaffer Lucy H. Lewis Catherine McNamara Shirley McGregor Pearson

Paula Jarrett Cora Sue Mach Kathi Rovere Norma Jean Brown Barbara McCelvey Lori Sorcic Nancy Willerson Jane Clark Nancy Littlejohn Donna Shen Susan Osterberg Kelli Cohen Fein PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE Houston Symphony League BaY AREA Fran Strong Selma Neumann Julia Wells Dagmar Meeh Priscilla Heidbreder Harriett Small Nina Spencer Elizabeth Glenn

* Life Trustee

Ebby Creden Charlotte Gaunt Norma Brady Cindy Kuenneke Helen Powell Sharon Dillard Diane McLaughlin Roberta Liston Suzanne Hicks Sue Smith Shirley Wettling Jo Anne Mills Phyllis Molnar Pat Bertelli Emyre B. Robinson Dana Puddy Angela Buell Pat Brackett Joan Wade Yvonne Herring Deanna Lamoreux Glenda Toole Carole Murphy Patience Myers

feature

Meet Composer Jennifer Higdon This month, the Houston Symphony is excited to perform two works by composer Jennifer Higdon, who received the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in Music for her Violin Concerto. The prize committee cited Higdon’s work as a “deeply engaging piece that combines flowing lyricism with dazzling virtuosity.” Higdon started late in music, teaching herself to play flute at age 15 and then beginning formal musical studies at 18, with an even later start in composition at age 21. Still, Higdon has become a major figure in contemporary classical music and makes her living from commissions, representing a range of genres from orchestral to chamber and from opera to choral to wind ensemble. Hailed by the Washington Post as “a savvy, sensitive composer with a keen ear, an innate sense of form and a generous dash of pure esprit,” the League of American Orchestras reports that she is one of America’s most frequently performed composers. Each year, Higdon enjoys several hundred performances of her works. Her orchestral work blue cathedral is one of the most performed contemporary orchestral works and has received more than 500 performances worldwide since its premiere in 2000. We recently visited with Jennifer about her work, her collaborations with conductor Robert Spano and the importance of new orchestral music. Houston Symphony Magazine: To what do you attribute blue cathedral’s popularity with orchestras? Jennifer Higdon: I think the emotion that went into the work somehow comes across to audience members. I’ve had many folks come to me after a performance to say how the music touched them, particularly if they’ve lost a loved one. I love that conductors and musicians also enjoy the work, and I hope it’s because it works well for the instruments and makes sense musically. HSM: What was your inspiration for blue cathedral? JH: There were two inspirations. The first was that the Curtis Institute of Music commissioned me to write the work for the 75th anniversary of the school, and I thought a lot about how a school can be so important to personal as well as educational/professional development. The other inspiration was the death of my younger brother, Andrew Blue, who passed away at the age of 33. HSM: You join conductor Robert Spano at the Houston Symphony this month to introduce your Concerto for Orchestra. Can you point to any of your past collaborations that are particularly memorable? JH: Recording the Concerto for Orchestra with Robert was a highlight in my career. He understands my music so well that there were times when I would be in the control booth thinking about a change and would watch Robert make that exact change with the orchestra without my having to say anything! Robert understands that living composers have something important to say and is great about helping to foster the communication between the audience and the composer. HSM: What should audiences listen for in Concerto for Orchestra? JH: I tried to write a work that would showcase the skill each orchestra member or orchestra section has, and I hope audiences listen for that virtuosity that exists in the Houston Symphony. What a great orchestra! HSM: Why is it important for orchestras to perform new music as well as the standard classical repertoire? JH: Art of any genre represents the citizens and culture of its time,

and new art is usually sought after and celebrated. Audiences rightfully flock to the newest offerings at the movie theatres, bookstores and art galleries because they can recognize something within themselves and from their own world. It has been my experience that audience members can and will do the same with new works if they are given the opportunity. HSM: What projects do you currently have in the works? JH: I’ve written my first opera, based on the novel Cold Mountain, which is scheduled to be premiered on August 1 with the Santa Fe Opera. Opera is such a huge undertaking so I’ve been immersed in this project. I’ve also recently written a song cycle for baritone Thomas Hampson and a viola concerto for Roberto Diaz. HSM: Is there anything else you would like Houston Symphony audiences to know about you or your work? JH: I don’t want audiences to feel intimidated by contemporary music, and I hope they can enjoy Concerto for Orchestra and blue cathedral, without having to analyze them or dissect them in analytical terms. April 2015 15

april 17, 18, 19, 2015

Ohlsson Plays Chopin Robert Spano, conductor Garrick Ohlsson, piano Friday, April 17, 2015 8pm Saturday, April 18, 2015 8pm Sunday, April 19, 2015 2:30pm

Jones Hall

Higdon blue cathedral

ca. 12

Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Opus 11 I Allegro maestoso II Romance: Larghetto— III Rondo: Vivace

ca. 39

Higdon Concerto for Orchestra I L = 122-132 II L. = 112-120 III Mystical, L = 92-108 IV L = 42— V L = 90

www.houstonsymphony.org

N ca. 35

april 17, 18, 19 The SoundPlusVision series is sponsored by Margaret Alkek Williams and supported in part by The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Endowed Fund for Creative Initiatives.

SOUND PLUS VISION SERIES

These performances are generously supported in part by: Benefactor Mr. William E. Colburn

The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc. in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham.

Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation. To enjoy this concert again, tune in to Houston Public Media’s broadcast series on Wednesdays at 8pm on Classical 91.7. Recent enhancements to the Jones Hall recording suite are generously provided by Silver Circle Audio.

BLUE CATHEDRAL Jennifer Higdon (1962-) Composer’s note. Blue…like the sky. Where all possibilities soar. Cathedral…a place of thought, growth, spiritual expression…serving as a symbolic doorway in to and out of this world. Blue represents all potential and the progression of journeys. Cathedral represents a place of beginnings, endings, solitude, fellowship, contemplation, knowledge and growth. As I was writing this piece, I found myself imagining a journey through a glass cathedral in the sky. Because the walls would be transparent, I saw the image of clouds and blueness permeating from the outside of this church. In my mind’s eye the listener would enter from the back of the sanctuary, floating along the corridor among giant crystal pillars, moving in a contemplative stance. The stained glass windows’ figures would start moving with song, singing a heavenly music. The listener would float down the aisle, slowly moving upward at first and then progressing at a quicker pace, rising toward an immense ceiling that would open to the

April 2015 17

notes | Ohlsson Plays Chopin | april 17, 18, 19 sky…as this journey progressed, the speed of the traveler would increase, rushing forward and upward. I wanted to create the sensation of contemplation and quiet peace at the beginning, moving toward the feeling of celebration and ecstatic expansion of the soul, all the while singing along with that heavenly music. These were my thoughts when The Curtis Institute of Music commissioned me to write a work to commemorate its 75th anniversary. Curtis is a house of knowledge—a place to reach toward that beautiful expression of the soul that comes through music. I began writing this piece at a unique juncture in my life and found myself pondering the question of what makes a life. The recent loss of my younger brother, Andrew Blue, made me reflect on the amazing journeys that we all make in our lives, crossing paths with so many individuals singularly and collectively, learning and growing each step of the way. This piece represents the expression of the individual and the group…our inner travels and the places our souls carry us, the lessons we learn, and the growth we experience. In tribute to my brother, I feature solos for the clarinet (the instrument he played) and the flute (the instrument I play). Because I am the older sibling, it is the flute that appears first in this dialog. At the end of the work, the two instruments continue their dialogue, but it is the flute that drops out and the clarinet that continues on in the upward progressing journey. ©2015 Jennifer Higdon The Instruments. 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), oboe and English horn, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, harp, piano (doubling celesta) and strings The printed music for this work was donated by Ms. Donna M. Baker in memory of Billie Joe Nutt.

PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1 IN E MINOR, OPUS 11 Frédéric Chopin (1810-49)

Wells Fargo has become one of the nation’s largest financial institutions, serving one in three U.S. households and employing one in 500 working Americans. We have team members in more than 35 countries outside the United States, serving 70 million customers. In a 2012 cover story, Forbes noted that we are “The Bank That Works.” We’re now in the top 10 among all U.S. companies in profits and in the top 15 in U.S. market value. The reason for this is simple. We’ve never lost sight of putting our customers first and helping them succeed financially. Regardless of our growing size, scope and reach, our common vision and distinct values form the fabric that holds us together wherever we are, whatever we do. Our shared vision and values unite us as One Wells Fargo.

May 15, 1830: “The Adagio [i.e., Larghetto] of my new concerto is in E major. It is not meant to create a powerful effect; it is rather a Romance, calm and melancholy, giving the impression of someone looking gently towards a spot which calls to mind a thousand happy memories. It is a kind of reverie in the moonlight on a beautiful spring evening. Hence the accompaniment is muted: that is, the violins are stifled by a sort of comb which fits over the strings and gives them a nasal and silvery tone—perhaps it’s not a good idea, but why be ashamed of writing badly, against one’s better knowledge, since only the result in actual performance will reveal the mistake?” To which we would point out that the muted violins made a lovely effect, and the directive remained in the score when the piece was published. ©2015 James M. Keller The printed music for this work was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Thurmond.

CONCERTO FOR ORCHESTRA Jennifer Higdon (1962-)

In a Tweet. Chopin’s E minor Piano Concerto often takes a noble, commanding posture, but its overriding effect is the lyricism for which he was famous. The Back Story. Shortly after soloing in the premiere of this concerto, in October 1830 in Warsaw, Chopin embarked on a recital tour of Western Europe, his first stop being Vienna. A week after he arrived there, Poland erupted in political uprising. It was impractical for him to return home, and he gradually made his way to a new life in France, though he remained fiercely allied to Polish revolutionary ideals. Revered but elusive as a pianist, he performed in public no more than 24 times in his career, and in about half of those appearances he played one of his two concertos. More often than not it was this one, which he himself criticized as being “far too original.” The Instruments. 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings What to Listen For. Chopin provided a self-deprecating comment about the second movement of his E minor Concerto in a letter on 18

www.houstonsymphony.org

Composer’s note. The Concerto for Orchestra is truly a concerto in that it requires virtuosity from the principal players, the individual sections and the entire orchestra. Built from the inside out, the third movement was written first, and it is the movement that allows each principal player a solo, before moving into section solis. The winds are highlighted first, which are followed (after a tutti) by the strings and then the brass. Each solo has its own unique material, some of which is used in the tutti sections of the movement. The second movement was written next, inspired by the string sound of The Philadelphia Orchestra. This movement is like a scherzo in character, written in a jaunty rhythm and tempo that celebrates the joyous sound of strings. The movement begins with everyone playing pizzicato and then slowly integrates an arco sound, first through soloists and then with all of the players. It continues to romp through to the end, where a snap pizzicato closes out the movement. The fourth movement is a tribute to rhythm and the percussion section of the orchestra. Ironically, the opening of this movement is the quietest and stillest part of the entire work, which is not what one might expect from percussion. The movement opens with

notes | Ohlsson Plays Chopin | april 17, 18, 19 bowed vibraphone and crotales…opening the way for the percussion to move through many of its pitched instruments (as well as collaborating with the harpist and celesta player, who are percussive in their nature). Eventually, the musicians move to non-pitched percussion, which is emphasized by the movement’s tempo speeding up at key moments. This progression in the tempi will carry this movement from an extraordinarily slow start (quarter equals 42) through to the fifth movement, which continues the progression of increasing tempi, until the end of that movement, which arrives at a quarter equals 160-180 on the metronome. These tempo increases occur at specific moments, usually covering two measures, and are meant to resemble the effect of a victrola being wound up. The fifth movement, which begins with the entrance of the violins, highlights the entire orchestra and has its rhythm set up through an ostinato in the percussion, which has been carried over from the previous movement. The various sections of the orchestra converse in musical interplay throughout, while the tempo continues to increase. This occurs to such an extent that a primary theme that is stated within the first minute of the movement will eventually come back in rhythmic values that are twice as long, but, with the increased tempo, will sound like it did at its first appearance. Surprisingly, the first movement was the last to be composed. It took writing the other four movements to create a clear picture of what was needed to start this virtuosic tour-de-force. The opening of the piece begins with chimes and timpani, sounding together, and then a quick entrance by the strings in energetic scale patterns (octatonic), which moves the orchestra up through the winds and finally adds the brass in major chords, a major second apart (this is a sound I’ve been working with for years). This movement is primarily tutti in its use of instruments, but there are small chamber moments, in recognition of the fact that it takes many individuals to make the whole of the orchestra. ©2015 Jennifer Higdon The Instruments. 3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 3 oboes, 2 clarinets and bass clarinet, 2 bassoons and contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, harp, piano (doubling celesta) and strings The printed music for this work was donated by LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation.

Biographies ROBERT SPANO, conductor Conductor, pianist, composer and pedagogue Robert Spano has served as music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since 2001. As music director of the Aspen Music Festival and School, he oversees the programming of more than 300 events and educational programs for 630 students, including Aspen’s American Academy of Conducting. Maestro Spano has led ASO performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and at the Ravinia, Ojai and Savannah music festivals. Guest engagements have included the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics; San Francisco, Boston and Chicago symphonies; Cleveland Orchestra; as well as Filarmonica della Scala, BBC Symphony Orchestra and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Following Britten’s War Requiem in Carnegie Hall and Verdi’s Aida in Atlanta, Spano conducted the world premiere of Steven Stucky’s The Classical Style at the Ojai Music Festival last summer. The Classical Style was presented in Carnegie Hall in December 2014, followed by a production of The Magic Flute with the Houston Grand Opera. Guest conducting in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Copenhagen, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore is woven among a tour with the Curtis Chamber Orchestra. Spano, who has won seven Grammy Awards with the ASO, serves on the faculty of Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He has honorary doctorates from Bowling Green State University, the Curtis Institute of Music, Emory University and Oberlin. Proud to live in Atlanta, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

GARRICK OHLSSON, piano Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide as a musician of interpretive and technical prowess. He commands repertoire over the entire piano literature, noted for his masterly performances of the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and the Romantic period. His concerto repertoire is unusually wide, currently more than 80, and eclectic—from Haydn and Mozart to 21st-century works. This season, in addition to this anticipated return to the Houston Symphony, Ohlsson has performed Ferruccio Busoni’s rarely programmed piano concerto with the National Symphony and BBC Symphony Orchestras. To mark the centenary of Alexander Scriabin’s death, he will present the composer’s piano music in a series of recitals in London, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. He also returns to the orchestras of San Francisco, Detroit, Dallas, Baltimore, Minnesota, BBC Scotland and Prague. Ohlsson can be heard on the Arabesque, RCA Victor Red Seal, Angel, BMG, Delos, Hänssler, Nonesuch, Telarc and Virgin Classics labels. His 10-disc set of the complete Beethoven sonatas (Bridge Records) has garnered critical acclaim, including a Grammy for the third volume. In recognition of the Chopin bicentenary in 2010, Ohlsson was featured in a documentary The Art of Chopin, co-produced by Polish, French, British and Chinese television stations. Most recently, both Brahms concerti and Tchaikovsky’s second piano concerto were released on live performance recordings with the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras on their own recording labels. April 2015 19

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Part of the Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods End of Season Celebration.

May

Lang Lang Joins Andrés May 12, 2015 Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Lang Lang, piano Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 and Piano Concerto No. 1 No contemporary artist has made more of an impact on the classical world than Lang Lang. He has been nicknamed a classical music “rock star” by The Wall Street Journal and has landed a spot on Time’s list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” Lang Lang plays with dazzling technique and charisma, and his performances have been characterized as “sensitive” yet “deeply human.”

Andrés Conducts Mahler 3 May 15, 16, 17, 2015 Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano Parker Elementary School Chorus—Marianna Parnas-Simpson, director Women of the Houston Symphony Chorus—Betsy Cook Weber, director Mahler: Symphony No. 3 Don’t miss this season finale performance led by Andrés Orozco-Estrada! Mahler once said, “A symphony must be like the world. It must embrace everything.” In his colossal Symphony No. 3, Mahler explores the power and beauty of nature through the colorful sounds of the orchestra.

The PaintJam Concert Experience

World

Premie May 22, 23, 24, 2015 re Michael Krajewski, conductor Dan Dunn, artist Internationally-acclaimed, Houston-based speed painter Dan Dunn brings music to life inspired by the sounds of the full orchestra. Improvising on a grand scale, Dunn uses paint, sand, canvas, multi-media and 30 years of life as an artist to choreograph his live performance art to classical, movie, pop and patriotic music. Paintings each night will be auctioned postconcert with proceeds benefitting the Houston Symphony.

The Music of Led Zeppelin

The Music of Pink Floyd

May 29, 2015, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion May 30, 2015, Jones Hall Brent Havens, conductor Brent Havens, conductor Randy Jackson, vocalist Randy Jackson, vocalist Amplified by a full rock band and accompanied by singer Randy Jackson’s fabulous vocals, creator Brent Havens guest conducts the Houston Symphony as they capture the ethereal flow of music and effects while churning out new musical colors.

Symphony Apps & Social Media

Scan this code or go to houstonsymphonyapps.org to download our app or connect on social media. Check out our new content app for The Planets—An HD Odyssey. houstonsymphony.org | (713) 224-7575

Thank you to our media partners:

Official Television Partner

Public Media Partner

Hispanic Media Partner

Hispanic outreach and marketing support provided by Agua Hispanic Marketing. 20

www.houstonsymphony.org

Exclusive Print Media Sponsor, Special Events

Official Publisher

April 2015 21

april 24, 25, 26, 2015

Hamlisch/T. Zito Marvin Hamlisch Overture Hamlisch/Everly California Nights/Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows

Hamlisch/Zito Joplin/Hamlisch J. Styne/Everly Hamlisch Hamlisch Bernstein/M. Peress Hamlisch

lyrics by David Zippel

Hamlisch Nobody Does It Better from The Spy Who Loved Me

lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager

Hamlisch/F. Barton The Way We Were from The Way We Were

lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman

Hamlisch Suite from Sophie’s Choice Hamlisch At the Ballet from A Chorus Line

lyrics by Edward Kleban

Hamlisch Looking Through the Eyes of Love (Theme from Ice Castles) Jack Everly, piano Hamlisch What I Did for Love from A Chorus Line

lyrics by Edward Kleban

Hamlisch One from A Chorus Line

*Houston Symphony debut 22

lyrics by Howard Liebling

Suite from The Swimmer The Entertainer Overture to Gypsy Theme from Good Morning, America Overture to The Goodbye Girl Somewhere from West Side Story Entr’acte from They’re Playing Our Song

Hamlisch Entr’acte from They’re Playing Our Song Hamlisch Lydia Hamlisch/Zito Excerpt from Anatomy of Peace

Jones Hall

www.houstonsymphony.org

lyrics by Edward Kleban

A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch | april 24, 25, 26

Biographies

POPS POPS

Cynthia Woods Mitchell at Jones Hall

POPS Presenting Sponsor

JACK EVERLY, conductor These performances are generously supported in part by: Partner Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Gorman/ Gorman’s Uniform Services Vinson & Elkins LLP Supporter Star Furniture Shirley and Joel Wahlberg

Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation.

The Houston Symphony has been a celebrated member of Houston’s performing arts community for more than 100 years, and Vinson & Elkins LLP is honored to sponsor A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch concert weekend. At V&E, our lawyers and staff truly believe in the value of giving back to the communities we serve, and we are especially proud of our long tradition of supporting the arts here in our hometown of Houston. Established in 1917, V&E is an international law firm with approximately 700 lawyers across 15 offices worldwide. Please visit velaw.com.

Jack Everly is the principal pops conductor of the Indianapolis and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras, Naples Philharmonic and the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa). In addition to the Houston Symphony, he has conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall and appears regularly with The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center. This season, he will conduct more than 90 performances in more than 20 North American cities. As music director of the National Memorial Day Concert and A Capitol Fourth on PBS, Maestro Everly proudly leads the National Symphony Orchestra in these patriotic celebrations on the U.S. Capitol’s West Lawn. The concerts attract hundreds of thousands, and the broadcasts, which reach millions, are some of PBS’ highest rated programming. Appointed by Mikhail Baryshnikov, Everly served the American Ballet Theatre for 14 years as conductor and music director. On Broadway, he teamed with Marvin Hamlisch on shows the composer scored. He conducted Carol Channing hundreds of times in Broadway productions of Hello, Dolly! An Indiana native, Everly is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and holds an honorary doctorate of arts from Franklin College. He has been a proud resident of the Indianapolis community for more than 12 years. When he’s not on the podium, you can find him at home with his family, which includes Max the wonder dog.

MARISSA MCGOWAN, vocalist Marissa McGowan was honored to be chosen by Marvin Hamlisch to star as Stella Purdy CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 April 2015 23

april 30, may 1, 3, 2015

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 Jun Märkl, conductor *Benjamin Grosvenor, piano Daryl Robinson, organ Thursday, April 30, 2015 8pm Friday, May 1, 2015 8pm Sunday, May 3, 2015 2:30pm

Jones Hall

Berlioz Le corsaire, Opus 21

ca. 9

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Opus 15 I Allegro con brio II Largo III Rondo: Allegro I

ca. 37

Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Opus 78 (Organ Symphony) I Adagio—Allegro moderato—Poco adagio II Allegro moderato—Maestoso—Allegro

*Houston Symphony debut

www.houstonsymphony.org

ca. 34

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 | april 30, May 1, 3 LE CORSAIRE, OPUS 21 Hector Berlioz (1803-69) In a Tweet. Whatever literary connection it has to James Fenimore Cooper or Lord Byron, Berlioz’ Le corsaire earns its fame through its energy.

G R E AT P E R F O R M E R S S E R I E S

Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods End of Season Celebration Generously supported by John and Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Spec’s Charitable Foundation These performances are generously supported in part by: Guarantor The General and Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Memorial Concert Endowed Fund in memory of Theresa Meyer and Jules Hirsch, beloved parents of General Maurice Hirsch, and Rosetta Hirsch Weil and Josie Hirsch Bloch, beloved sisters of General Maurice Hirsch. Partner Dede and Connie Weil Supporter Leslie Davidson and Robins Brice in honor of Noblet and Drew Feder and in loving memory of Dr. Patrick Davidson and Ross Davidson The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc. in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham. To enjoy this concert again, tune in to Houston Public Media’s broadcast series on Wednesdays at 8pm on Classical 91.7. Recent enhancements to the Jones Hall recording suite are generously provided by Silver Circle Audio.

The Back Story. The title of Berlioz’ concert overture relates it—if indistinctly—to Lord Byron’s semi-autobiographical, nautical, poetical tale The Corsair. Its original title, however, was La tour de Nice (The Tower of Nice). When Berlioz completed it provisionally in 1844, he was actually staying in a tower perched on a rocky outcropping overlooking Nice, where he had gone to recover from jaundice and mourn the collapse of his marriage. It was premiered under that title in 1845, but later he changed its name to Le corsaire rouge; that is the French translation of The Red Rover, a marine adventure tale by James Fenimore Cooper, whose works Berlioz adored. When he finally revised and published the piece, in 1852, he deleted the “rouge,” yielding the title Le corsaire, with its Byronic overtones—and that is the name that has stuck. The Instruments. 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 cornets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani and strings What to Listen For. The revised 1852 version of Le corsaire, always heard today, was not performed until two years later. Berlioz wrote a report of the premiere (which he conducted himself) for the English critic to whom he inscribed the dedication. “In Brunswick,” he reported, “we performed your overture Le corsaire for the first time. It went very well and made a great impact. With a large orchestra and a conductor with an arm of steel this piece comes over with a certain swagger.” After its initial flurry, the work builds from a lyrical chapter through a prickly fast section on its way to a blazing conclusion, rich in throbbing timpani and stirring brass sonorities. ©2015 James M. Keller The printed music for this work was donated by Paul and Gretchen Darlington in honor of Dave Kirk.

PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1 IN C MAJOR, OPUS 15 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) In a Tweet. In his First Piano Concerto, Beethoven uses the models of Mozart as a foundation for his own unpredictable and even boisterous creativity. The Back Story. In 1782, when Beethoven was only 11, he filled in as organist in his native Bonn when his teacher took a leave of absence. Nine months later, that teacher sent a glowing report of his pupil to a music magazine, noting that “he plays the piano very skillfully and with power, reads at sight very well, and … would surely become a second Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart if he were to continue as he has begun.” He didn’t become a second Mozart; he became a Beethoven. But Mozart’s style was his point of departure, as we hear in many passages of this piano concerto. Even in this early work, though, he asserts his originality. The moody, contemplative Largo prefigures the famous slow movement of the Pathétique Sonata, and in the finale we glimpse Beethoven’s boisterous sense of humor and fondness for surprise. The Instruments. Solo piano, flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings What to Listen For. A review of an 1804 performance of Beethoven’s C major Piano Concerto was both appreciative and wary: “A new fortepiano concerto by Beethoven, provided with chromatic passages and enharmonic changes, occasionally to the point of bizarrerie, concluded the first part. …. The last movement, All’ Inglese, distinguished itself only by its unusual rhythms and also was well executed.” Daniel Türk’s 1789 Piano Method tells us: “The Anglaise (English Dance) … is for the most part of a very spirited character which often April 2015 25

notes | Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 | april 30, May 1, 3 BB&T (Branch Bank and Trust Corporation), founded in 1872, is a full-service financial institution offering banking, insurance, investment and more. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., it is one of the largest financial holding companies in the U.S. with approximately 34,000 employees and 1,840 locations in 12 states and Washington, D.C. BB&T’s banking subsidiaries are organized as a group of community banks, each with a regional president, which allows decisions to be made locally, close to the client. BB&T’s vision is to be the best financial institution possible. Its mission is to make the world a better place to live by: helping its clients achieve economic success and financial security; creating a place where its employees can learn, grow and be fulfilled in their work; making the communities in which it operates better places to be; optimizing the long-term return to its shareholders, while providing a safe and sound investment. Visit BBT.com

are not more extraordinary than what follows: an elegantly shaped chorale for the strings, its notes (derived from the nervous theme of the opening movement’s Allegro moderato) elaborated by sparkling arpeggios played by not one, but two pianists. This is the “aggravation” to which Saint-Saëns had alerted his patrons—and never did an aggravation sound so magical. ©2015 James M. Keller The printed music for this work was donated by the Houston Symphony Orchestra Committee in memory of Susan Valkovich, Houston Symphony violinist.

Biographies

borders on the moderately comic. It … is played in a very lively, almost skipping manner. The first note of every measure is strongly accented.” That precisely describes the rondo theme of Beethoven’s C major Concerto. ©2015 James M. Keller The printed music for this work was donated by Mr. James G. Matthews.

SYMPHONY NO. 3 IN C MINOR, OPUS 78 (ORGAN SYMPHONY) Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) In a Tweet. Listeners are likely to fly off their seats when the organ makes its grand entrance in the thrilling finale of Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3. The Back Story. The last of Camille Saint-Saëns’ completed symphonies, the Third was commissioned in 1883 by the Philharmonic Society of London, which at that time was conducted by Sir Arthur Sullivan (of “Gilbert &” fame). Saint-Saëns took time off to compose Carnival of the Animals, but by March 1884 he was far enough along to inform the London Philharmonic Orchestra of the new symphony’s instrumentation, that it would be cast in two movements, that it would be difficult and that an “aggravation” would be a piano part involving one player at first and two later. The work’s premiere two years later was a great success, its prestige augmented by the attendance of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Instruments. 3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes and English horn, 2 clarinets and bass clarinet, 2 bassoons and contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, organ, piano (two-hands and four-hands) and strings What to Listen For. The prominent use of the organ has earned this piece the nickname “Organ Symphony.” That instrument adds discreetly to the orchestral texture in the Poco adagio section of the first movement, but its most thrilling expanses come in the ensuing movement, particularly with the C major entrance that typically causes audience members to levitate several inches off their seats. And yet, the organ’s grand chords, alternating with the orchestra’s phrases,

www.houstonsymphony.org

JUN MÄRKL, conductor Jun Märkl has long been a highly respected interpreter of the core Germanic and French repertoire from the symphonic and operatic traditions. He was music director of the National 0rchestra of Lyon (2005-2011) and of the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra until 2012. He guest conducts throughout Europe and North America with such orchestras as the Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Indianapolis and St. Louis Symphonies, as well as the NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Hamburgische Staatsorchester, the Munich, Oslo and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestras, and the Orchestre de Paris. In 2012, Märkl was honored by the French Ministry of Culture with the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in recognition of his achievements in Lyon, including his groundbreaking Debussy recording project for Naxos. Märkl is known throughout the world for his work in the realm of opera at such houses as the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, Royal Opera Covent Garden, and the Hamburg, Vienna and Berlin State Operas. Born in Munich, his (German) father was a distinguished concertmaster and his (Japanese) mother a solo pianist. Märkl studied violin, piano and conducting in Hannover, then with Sergiu Celibidache in Munich and Gustav Meier in Michigan. In 1986, he won the conducting competition of the German Music Council. A year later, he received a scholarship from the Boston Symphony Orchestra to study at Tanglewood with Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. Visit musicvinearts.com/jun_markl.htm.

BENJAMIN GROSVENOR, piano British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor first came to prominence as the outstanding winner of the Keyboard Final of the 2004 BBC Young CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

MUSICIAN SPONSORSHIP Donors at the Conductorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Circle, Silver Baton level and above are provided the opportunity to be recognized as sponsoring a Houston Symphony musician. For more information, please contact Mark Folkes, Senior Director, Development, at (713) 337-8521 or mark.folkes@houstonsymphony.org. Mr. William L. Ackerman Megan Conley, Harp, Principal Eric S. Anderson & R. Dennis Anderson George Pascal, Viola, Assistant Principal Janice H. Barrow Sophia Silivos, Second Violin, Acting Associate Principal Mrs. Bonnie Bauer Fay Shapiro, Viola Mr. Gary V. Beauchamp & Ms. Marian Wilfert Beauchamp Martha Chapman, Second Violin Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Sergei Galperin, First Violin Dr. & Mrs. Meherwan P. Boyce Brinton Averil Smith, Cello, Principal Nancy & Walt Bratic Christopher Neal, First Violin Ms. Terry A. Brown James R. Denton, Cello Ralph Bunch Robin Kesselman, Principal Double Bass ustice Brett & Erin Busby Assia Dulgerska, First Violin, Assistant Concertmaster Dougal & Cathy Cameron Brian E. Thomas, French Horn Jane & Robert Cizik Qi Ming, First Violin, Assistant Concertmaster Mr. Michael H. Clark & Ms. Sallie Morian George Pascal, Viola, Assistant Principal Janet F. Clark Kevin F. Dvorak, Cello Mr. & Mrs. Bert Cornelison Judy Dines, Flute Roger & Debby Cutler Tong Yan, Second Violin Dr. Scott Cutler Scott Holshouser, Keyboard, Principal Mr. Richard Danforth Jeffrey Butler, Cello Leslie Barry Davidson & W. Robins Brice Colin Gatwood, Oboe Gene & Linda Dewhurst Phillip Freeman, Trombone Mr. Scott Ensell Donald Howey, Double Bass Mrs. William Estrada Robert Pastorek, Double Bass John & Minerva Esquivel Eric Larson, Double Bass

Martin J. & Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein Ferenc Illenyi, First Violin Angel & Craig Fox David Malone, Double Bass, Acting Principal Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel Aralee Dorough, Flute, Principal Allen & Almira Gelwick, Lockton Companies Jeff Robinson, Contrabassoon Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Christian Schubert, Clarinet, Acting Associate Principal Evan B. Glick Tong Yan, Second Violin Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Christopher French, Cello, Associate Principal Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Ken Hyde Robert Walp, Trumpet, Assistant Principal Drs. M.S. & Marie-Luise Kalsi Eric Halen, First Violin, Associate Concertmaster Janice & Allan King Kiju Joh, Second Violin Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Linda Goldstein, Viola Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Thomas LeGrand, Clarinet, Acting Principal Rochelle & Max Levit Sergei Galperin, First Violin Cornelia & Meredith Long Brinton Averil Smith, Cello, Principal Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Lykos Jr. Kiju Joh, Second Violin Joella & Steven P. Mach Eric Larson, Double Bass Cora Sue & Harry Mach Joan DerHovsepian, Viola, Associate Principal Beth Madison Assia Dulgerska, First Violin, Assistant Concertmaster Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Eric Halen, First Violin, Associate Concertmaster Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Brian Del Signore, Percussion, Principal Jay & Shirley Marks Sergei Galperin, First Violin Mr. and Mrs. John N. Matzer III Kurt Johnson, First Violin Dr. & Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Barbara & Pat McCelvey Adam Dinitz, English Horn & Oboe

Betty & Gene McDavid Linda Goldstein, Viola Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan William K. VerMeulen, Horn, Principal Martha & Marvin McMurrey Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Catherine Jane Merchant Jeff Robinson, Contrabassoon Dr. & Mrs. Robert M. Mihalo Brian E. Thomas, Horn Paul & Rita Morico Elise Wagner, Bassoon Nancy Morrison Wayne Brooks, Viola, Principal Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson Mihaela O. Frusina, Second Violin Bobbie Newman Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Susan & Ed Osterberg Mi-Hee Chung, First Violin Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker Nancy Goodearl, Horn Nancy & Robert Peiser Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe Dave & Alie Pruner Matthew Strauss, Percussion Gloria & Joe Pryzant Matthew Strauss, Percussion Mr. & Mrs. Ron R. Rand Myung Soon Lee, Cello Mrs. Lila Rauch Christopher French, Cello, Associate Principal Roman & Sally Reed Matthew Strauss, Percussion Mrs. Sybil F. Roos Mark Hughes, Trumpet, Principal Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum Aralee Dorough, Flute, Principal Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Brian Del Signore, Percussion, Principal John & Lindy Rydman/ Specâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Anthony Kitai, Cello Mr. Walter & Mrs. Maryjane Scherr Phyllis Herdliska, Viola Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Eric Halen, First Violin, Associate Concertmaster Laura & Michael Shannon Rian Craypo, Bassoon, Principal Donna & Tim Shen Tina Zhang, Second Violin Mr. & Mrs. Tad Smith Marina Brubaker, First Violin The Julia & Albert Smith Foundation Eric Arbiter, Bassoon, Associate Principal

Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Wei Jiang, Viola Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Springob, Laredo Construction, Inc. Mihaela Frusina, Second Violin Carol & Mike Stamatedes Eric Larson, Double Bass Mr. Mike Stude Ruth Zeger, Second Violin Alice & Terry Thomas John DeWitt, Trumpet, Associate Principal Paul Strand Thomas Robert E. Johnson, Horn, Associate Principal Stephen & Pamalah Tipps Allen Barnhill, Trombone, Principal Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Bradley White, Trombone, Associate Principal Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Daniel Strba, Viola Ms. Judith Vincent Matthew Roitstein, Flute, Associate Principal Shirley & Joel Wahlberg Alexander Potiomkin, Bass Clarinet Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Mark Griffith, Percussion Stephen & Kristine Wallace Ronald Holdman, Timpani, Principal Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Megan Conley, Harp, Principal Dede & Connie Weil Amy E. Teare, Second Violin Vicki West Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin Dr. Jim T. Willerson Anne Leek, Oboe, Associate Principal Margaret Alkek Williams Frank Huang, First Violin, Concertmaster Steven & Nancy Williams Mi-Hee Chung, First Violin Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wallace S. Wilson Xiao Wong, Cello Lorraine & Ed Wulfe David Kirk, Tuba, Principal Nina & Michael Zilkha Kurt Johnson, First Violin Anonymous Sheldon Person, Viola

April 2015 27

Houston Symphony Donors

The Sustainability Fund

The Houston Symphony pays special tribute to those who support our Sustainability Fund. Their extraordinary leadership investment has made it possible for the Symphony to provide the deep level of cultural service so richly deserved by the communities of Greater Houston and the Gulf Coast region. For further information about The Sustainability Fund, please contact Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO, at (713) 238-1411.

Jane and Robert Cizik Sustainability Fund Challenge Grant

Thanks to a generous challenge grant by Jane and Robert Cizik, the Houston Symphony will receive an additional $500,000 if we can secure $2.7 million in new commitments for the Sustainability Fund by December 31, 2015. This will successfully close the $15 million campaign started in 2010. The effort to complete the campaign is being led by Bobby Tudor, Immediate Past President of the Houston Symphony Society Board, and Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO. For more information on how to be part of this donor group please contact Mark C. Hanson at (713) 238-1411 or David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, at (713) 337-8525.

Houston Endowment The Estate of Jean R. Sides Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Mrs. Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Mrs. Kitty King Powell Bert & Joan Golding Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Griswold

Janice H. Barrow The Cullen Foundation The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts The Brown Foundation, Inc. M.D. Anderson Foundation Sybil F. Roos

Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber

Annual Support

The Houston Symphony gratefully acknowledges those who support our artistic, educational and community engagement programs through their generosity to our Annual Fund and our Special Events. For more information, please contact David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, at (713) 337-8525.

Ima Hogg Society, $150,000 or More

Janice H. Barrow Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge The Honorable & Mrs. David H. Dewhurst Cora Sue & Harry Mach Mr. George P. Mitchell Kitty King Powell Sybil F. Roos John & Lindy Rydman / Specâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Mike Stude Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Margaret Alkek Williams

Centennial Society, $100,000 - $149,000 Rochelle & Max Levit Joella & Steven P. Mach Beth Madison Barbara & Pat McCelvey

Janice & Robert McNair Nancy & Robert Peiser Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

Founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Society, $75,000 - $99,999 Darlene & Cappy Bisso Billy & Christie McCartney 28

www.houstonsymphony.org

Laura & Michael Shannon

Houston Symphony Donors Maestro’s Society, $50,000 - $74,999 Robin Angly & Miles Smith Mr. & Mrs. Philip A. Bahr Mr. Gary V. Beauchamp & Ms. Marian Wilfert Beauchamp Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Donna & Max Chapman Mrs. Alfred C. Glassell Jr.

The Estate of Miss Ima Hogg Mr. Monzer Hourani Drs. M.S. & Marie-Luise Kalsi Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Mr. & Mrs. William K. Robbins Jr./ The Robbins Foundation Louisa Stude Sarofim

Concertmaster’s Society, $25,000 - $49,999 Eric S. Anderson & R. Dennis Anderson John Barlow Dr. & Mrs. Devinder Bhatia Todd & JoAnna Brooks Mr. Ralph Burch Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle Janet F. Clark Mr. Michael H. Clark & Ms. Sallie Morian Dr. Alex Dell Mr. & Mrs. John P. Dennis III Gene & Linda Dewhurst Mr. & Mrs. Donald Faust Sr. Allen & Almira Gelwick Lockton Companies

Mr. & Mrs. Melbern G. Glasscock Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Griswold Susan & Dick Hansen Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Ken Hyde The Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Cornelia & Meredith Long Dr. & Mrs. Michael Mann Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan John & Bobbie Nau John Neighbors in memory of Jean Marie Neighbors

Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Mr. Brian Teichman & Mr. Andrew Cordes Alice & Terry Thomas Ms. Judith Vincent

John & Cynthia Onstott Dave & Alie Pruner Lisa & Jerry Simon Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Sloan Jr./ Houston Baptist University Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Springob, Laredo Construction, Inc. Nancy & David Tai Stephen & Kristine Wallace Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Steven & Nancy Williams Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr. Anonymous (1)

Conductor’s Circle, Platinum Baton $15,000 - $24,999 Rolaine & Morrie Abramson Graham & Janet Baker Mr. & Mrs. Ken Barrow James M. Bell Mr. & Mrs. Walter V. Boyle Justice Brett & Erin Busby Mr. & Mrs. James Chao Jane & Robert Cizik Mr. Richard Danforth Mrs. William Estrada Martin & Kelli Cohen Fein Angel & Craig Fox Janet Gurwitch & Ron Franklin Lila-Gene George Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Mrs. Gloria Pepper & Dr. Bernard Katz Ms. Nancey G. Lobb

Jay & Shirley Marks Dr. & Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Mr. Keith McFarland Stephen & Marilyn Miles / Stephen Warren Miles & Marilyn Ross Miles Foundation Melissa & Michael Mithoff Terence Murphree Susan & Edward Osterberg Gloria & Joe Pryzant Radoff Family Foundation Ken & Carol Lee Robertson Ann & Hugh Roff William J. Rovere & Kathi F. Rovere Donna & Tim Shen The Julia & Albert Smith Foundation Ms. Kelly Somoza James Stein / Independent Bank

Paul Strand Thomas Hallie A. Vanderhider Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Ms. Diana Wander Dede & Connie Weil Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann Vicki West Nancy Willerson Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wallace S. Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Scott Wulfe Ralph Wyman & Jim Foti Thane & Nicole Wyman Nina & Michael Zilkha

Conductor’s Circle, Gold Baton $10,000 - $14,999 Frances & Ira Anderson Lilly & Thurmon Andress Edward H. Andrews III Danielle & Josh Batchelor Mr. & Mrs. Anthony W. Bohnert Nancy & Walter Bratic Terry Ann Brown Cheryl & Sam Byington John & Candace Caley Albert & Anne Chao Mr. & Mrs. Bert Cornelison Dr. Scott Cutler Leslie Barry Davidson & W. Robins Brice David & Cindy Deere Dr. & Mrs. Ebrahim S. Delpassand, Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Valerie Palmquist Dieterich & Tracy Dieterich Ms. Susanna Dokupil Jennifer & Steve Dolman John & Minerva Esquivel Aubrey & Sylvia Farb

Mr. & Mrs. Marvy A. Finger Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel Dr. & Mrs. Robert H. Fusillo Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves Christina & Mark Hanson Mr. & Mrs. James E. Hooks Beverly Johnson Dr. Rita Justice Janice & Allan King Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Carol & Michael Linn Marilyn Lummis Dr. & Mrs. Paul M. Mann Mr. & Mrs. David Massin Mr. & Mrs. John N. Matzer III Betty & Gene McDavid Martha & Marvin McMurrey Mr. & Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Mr. Gary Mercer Catherine Jane Merchant Ginni & Richard Mithoff

The Estate of C. Howard Pieper Kathryn & Richard Rabinow Ron & Demi Rand Lila Rauch Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Reckling III Beth Robertson Mr. & Mrs. Clive Runnells Mr. & Mrs. Walter Scherr Mr. & Mrs. Tad Smith Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun David & Paula Steakley Pamalah & Stephen Tipps Shirley & Joel Wahlberg Janet & Tom Walker Charlotte & Randolph Wands David M. Wax & Elaine Arden Cali Birgitt van Wijk Dr. Jim T. Willerson Cyvia & Melvyn Wolff Lorraine & Ed Wulfe Anonymous (2) April 2015 29

Houston Symphony Donors Conductor’s Circle, Silver Baton $7,500 - $9,999 Mr. William L. Ackerman, Kero-Jet Corporation Josie & Joe Amador Mrs. Bonnie Bauer Mr. & Mrs. David J. Beck Mr. & Mrs. Karl H. Becker Mr. & Mrs. Charles G. Black III Mr. & Mrs. John F. Bookout III Dr. & Mrs. Meherwan P. Boyce Lilia Khakimova & C. Robert Bunch David Chambers & Alex Steffler Audrey & Brandon Cochran Laurie & Ryan Colburn Roger & Debby Cutler J.R. & Aline Deming Judge & Mrs. Harold DeMoss Jr. Viviana & David Denechaud Mr. Robert Durst

Mr. Scott Ensell S. David Frankfort & Erika Bermeo Ms. Darlene Clark & Mr. Edwin C. Friedrichs Mauro H. Gimenez & Connie A. Coulomb Evan B. Glick Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Mr. & Mrs. Frank Herzog Marianne & Robert Ivany, University of St. Thomas Brian James Mr. & Mrs. Jacek Jaminski April & Tom Lykos Bryan & Vickie McMicken Dr. & Mrs. Robert M. Mihalo Dr. Cameron Mitchell Rita & Paul Morico Nancy Morrison

Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson Bobbie Newman Scott & Judy Nyquist Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker Roman & Sally Reed Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel Rio Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Susan D. & Fayez Sarofim Carol & Michael Stamatedes Mr. Stephen C. Tarry Shirley Toomim Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Truscott Mr. Art Vivar

Conductor’s Circle, Bronze Baton $5,000 - $7,499 Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Abraham Mrs. Nancy C. Allen Nina Andrews & David Karohl Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron Anne Morgan Barrett Beth & Jim Barton Mrs. Mercedes T. Bass Michelle H. Belco Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Bowman Ruth White Brodsky Ms. Barbara Burger Dr. & Mrs. William T. Butler Dougal & Cathy Cameron Marilyn Caplovitz Rhona & Bruce Caress Mrs. Lily Carrigan Mr. & Mrs. W. T. Carter IV Mr. & Mrs. Thierry Caruso Mr. & Mrs. Donald Childress William J. Clayton & Margaret A. Hughes Mr. William E. Colburn Coneway Family Foundation Mr. Larry Corbin Mr. & Mrs. Carr P. Dishroon Connie & Byron Dyer Mrs. Jane Egner Mr. Roger Eichhorn Mr. William Elbel & Ms. Mary J. Schroeder Mr. Stephen Elison Mr. Parrish N. Erwin Jr. Maestro Christoph Eschenbach Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fitzpatrick Mr. & Mrs. Henry S. Florsheim Mr. & Mrs. Peter Fluor Eugene Fong Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Francisco Mr. Shane T. Frank Mr. & Mrs. Harry Gendel Michael B. George Kathy & Martyn Goossen The Estate of Aileen Gordon Jennifer & Joshua Gravenor Dorothy & Bill Grieves Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Haas Kathleen & Dick Hayes Mr. & Mrs. Edd C. Hendee Marilyn & Bob Hermance 30

www.houstonsymphony.org

Mr. Jackson Hicks Mr. Ronald Holley & Dr. Natasha Holley Mrs. Ann B. Jennings Mr. & Mrs. John F. Joity Debbie & Frank Jones Catherine & Andrew Kaldis Mary Louis Kister Dr. Milton & Gail Danziger Klein in memory of Renée & Benjamin Danziger William & Cynthia Koch Mr. & Mrs. John P. Kotts Willy Kuehn Mr. and Mrs. Marc Laird Michael & Kelley Lang Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Leighton Ms. Lynne Lipsitz Mr. & Mrs. Stevens Mafrige Mr. & Mrs. Bruce March Mr. William McDugald Terry & Kandee McGill Mr. & Mrs. J. Douglas McMurrey Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William B. McNamara Mr. & Mrs. Harvin Moore IV Sidney & Ione Moran Sami & Jud Morrison Gerald & Barbara Moynier Richard & Juliet Moynihan Dr. Thomas D. Nichols Mr. & Mrs. Charles G. Nickson David G. Nussman Rochelle & Sheldon Oster Michael & Shirley Pearson Mr. Robert J. Pilegge Tim & Katherine Pownell Jean & Allan Quiat Vicky & Michael Richker Mr. & Mrs. Claud D. Riddles Mr. & Mrs. George A. Rizzo Jr. Mr. Robert T. Sakowitz Mr. & Mrs. Manolo Sanchez Mr. & Mrs. Richard P. Schissler Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Wolfgang Schmidt Dr. Susan Gardner & Dr. Philip Scott Mr. & Mrs. Rufus S. Scott Mr. & Mrs. Mark L. Shidler Mr. & Mrs. William T. Slick Jr. Christine Smith & Ben Andrews

Capital Investments The Houston Symphony thanks the generous donors, who since 2012, have made possible infrastructure additions to further enhance the sound and quality of our orchestral performances: Beauchamp Foundation Miller Outdoor Theatre Sound Shell Ceiling and Portativ Organ The Fondren Foundation Miller Outdoor Theatre Sound Shell Ceiling Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Enhancements to Jones Hall Video System Houston Symphony League Steinway Concert Grand Piano and Instrument Petting Zoo Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Piccolo Timpano Vicky and Michael Richker Family Adolfo Sayago, Orquestas Sybil F. Roos Rotary Trumpets Silver Circle Audio Enhancements to Jones Hall Recording Suite Beverly Johnson, Ralph Wyman and Jim Foti, and Thane and Nicole Wyman in memory of Winthrop Wyman Basset Horns and Rotary Trumpets Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zabriskie Conductor’s Podium

Mr. & Mrs. Mark R. Smith Mr. David Stanard & Ms. Beth Freeman Dr. John R. Stroehlein & Miwa Sakashita Mr. & Mrs. Hans Strohmer Mr. & Mrs. Antonio M. Szabo Mr. Jim Teague & Ms. Jane DiPaolo Ms. Marla Cecilia Vasconcellos Sue Trammell Whitfield Ms. Jennifer R. Wittman Daisy S. Wong / JCorp Woodell Family Foundation Sally & Denney Wright Edith & Robert Zinn Erla & Harry Zuber Anonymous (4)

Houston Symphony Donors Young Associates Council Young Associate, Premium $2,500 or more James M. Bell David Chambers & Alex Steffler Audrey & Brandon Cochran Valerie Palmquist Dieterich & Tracy Dieterich Katie Flaherty Jennifer & Joshua Gravenor Sami & Jud Morrison Juliet Moths - Louis Vuitton Melissa L. Nance Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider Emily Paull - Louis Vuitton Alexander Robart Christopher Robart & Katelyn Bracksieck Ahmed Saleh Seth Williams Young Associate $1,500 - $2,499 Lindley & Jason Arnoldy Ann & Jonathan Ayre Cristina & Tanner Bailey William & Laura Black Margaret & Brian Bravo Ting & John Bresnahan Divya & Chris Brown Pamela Brylski Jeff Caley Mike Cox Mandy & Rafael Diaz Amanda & Adam Dinitz Jennifer & Steve Dolman Evin Ashley Erdowdu Terry Everett & Eric Cheyney Christine Falgout Island Operating Co., Inc.

Kimberly Falgout Island Operating Co., Inc. Mark Folkes & Christopher Johnston Courtney Fretz Danna & Rauli Garcia Rebecca Gentry Michael A. Gonser Alexandra & Daniel Gottschalk Claudio J. Gutierrez Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee Kathleen & James Jennings - BeautyNow Kurt Johnson & Colleen Matheu Jessica Q. Johnston Mackenzie Kemp Gerrit Leeftink Catherine & Matt Matthews Georgia Braun McBride Kristen & Steve McDaniel Cara & Tanner Moran Amanda & Justin Morton Brooke & Nathaniel Richards Amanda Russell & Matt Calhoun Paulina Sergot & Theo Shybut Jo A. Simmons Caroline & Justin Simons Steve & Judy Sohn Mark Stadnyk Norton Rose Fulbright Erin & James Stewart Ishwaria & Vivek Subbiah Carol Tai Glenn Taylor Candace & Brian Thomas Rachael & Jason Volz A Fare Extraordinaire The Young Associates Council is supported in part by Bank of America.

For more information, please contact Agnieszka Rakhmatullaev, Development Officer, (713) 337-8522.

Grand Patron’s Circle $2,500 - $4,999

Gerhard & Birgit Adenacker John & Pat Anderson Dr. Angela R. Apollo Mr. & Mrs. John S. Arnoldy John Arnsparger & Susan Weingarten Mrs. John Bace Mr. & Mrs. Bill Barnett Mrs. Pat Biddle & Mr. Ron Kahl Dr. Joan Hacken Bitar Mrs. Ann M. Bixby Mr. & Mrs. Murry Bowden James & Judy Bozeman Ting & John Bresnahan Divya & Chris Brown Hon. Peter H. Brown Nicole & Rueben Casarez Dr. Robert N. Chanon Mr. & Mrs. Allen Clamen Mr. & Mrs. Gerald F. Clark Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Cleary Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Evan D. Collins Mr. & Mrs. Byron Cooley Mike Cox Lois & David Coyle Mr. & Mrs. James W. Crownover Mr. & Mrs. John Crum Mr. & Mrs. Harry H. Cullen Mr. Andrew Davis & Ms. Corey Tu Mr. & Mrs. Mark P. Day

Ms. Niki DeMaio Mr. & Mrs. Mark Diehl Amanda & Adam Dinitz Mr. & Mrs. Jack N. Doherty Mr. & Mrs. Michael Doherty David & Carolyn Edgar Mr. & Mrs. J. Thomas Eubank Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan B. Fairbanks Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. Fant Mr. & Mrs. Nijad I. Fares Mary Ann & Larry Faulkner Carolyn Grant Fay Ms. Ursula H. Felmet Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Ference Jerry E. & Nanette B. Finger Katie Flaherty Courtney Fretz Rauli & Danna Garcia Ms. Lucy Gebhart Thomas & Patricia Geddy Mr. Bert & Mrs. Joan Golding Robert Lee Gomez Mr. & Mrs. Herbert I. Goodman Maestro Hans Graf & Mrs. Graf Dr. & Mrs. Carlos R. Hamilton Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Eric J. Haufrect Ms. Michele Hebl Ms. Christine Heggeseth Mark & Ragna Henrichs Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. Hevrdejs Miss Maureen Y. Higdon Mr. & Mrs. Scott Hildebrandt

Dr. Volker Hirsinger Mr. & Mrs. John Hrncir Mark & Marilyn Hughes Kathleen & James Jennings / BeautyNow Mr. & Mrs. Richard P. Keeton Mr. Edward T. Lee Mr. & Mrs. H. Arthur Littell Mr. & Mrs. Carlos J. López Kimberly Lucas Mr. & Mrs. Bob Lunn Mr. & Mrs. Richard Mattix Mr. Derek Maxwell Mr. & Mrs. Michael McGuire Mr. Russell J. Miller & Mrs. Charlotte M. Meyer Julia & Chris Morton Juliet Moths, Louis Vuitton Melissa L. Nance Newman/Strug/Wadler families in honor of Ida & Irving Wadler Mr. & Mrs. Ralph S. O’Connor Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Olfers Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth F. Owen Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pacini Emily Paull, Louis Vuitton Mr. & Mrs. James D. Penny Dr. Gregory & Mrs. Catherine Powers Mr. & Mrs. Stephen D. Pryor Darla & Chip Purchase Mr. & Mrs. Cris Pye Allyn & Jill Risley Alexander Robart Katelyn Bracksieck & Christopher Robart Mr. & Mrs. James L. Robertson Ms. Regina J. Rogers Drs. Alex & Lynn Rosas Nancy & Bryan Ruez Ahmed Saleh Dr. & Mrs. Barry Samuels Lori & Phillip Sarofim Paulina Sergot & Theo Shybut Hinda Simon Barbara & Louis Sklar Mr. & Mrs. Alan L. Smith Mr. Brinton Averil Smith & Ms. Evelyn Chen Mark Stadnyk, Norton Rose Fulbright Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Standish Ishwaria & Vivek Subbiah Susman Family Foundation/ Ellen & Steve Susman Ms. Carolyn Tanner Dr. & Mrs. Van W. Teeters Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Thurmond Mr. & Mrs. William Toomey II Ann G. Trammell Mr. & Mrs. Tyson Voelkel Danny Ward Mr. & Mrs. James L. Ware General & Mrs. Jasper Welch Ms. Joann E. Welton Dr. David A. White Dr. Robert Wilkins & Dr. Mary Ann Reynolds Wilkins Seth Williams Mr. Jim P. Wise Ms. Ellen A. Yarrell Mr. & Mrs. Dan Yates Robert & Michele Yekovich Mr. & Mrs. Frank Yonish

Anonymous (4)

Patron

$1,000 - $2,499

Dr. & Mrs. George J. Abdo Mrs. Suzon Adam Ms. Sofia Adrogue & Mr. Sten Gustafson Joan & Stanford Alexander Mr. & Mrs. Roy Allice Marcia & Ed Ambs Mr. & Mrs. William L. Anderson Jr. Mr. William J. Anderson Lindley & Jason Arnoldy Dr. & Mrs. Roy Aruffo Paul H. & Maida M. Asofsky Mr. Jeff Autor Ms. Mary S. Axelrad Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Axelrod Ann & Jonathan Ayre Dr. & Mrs. Jamil Azzam Cristina & Tanner Bailey Ms. Regina Balderas Mr. & Mrs. David M. Balderston Mr. & Mrs. Allen Barnhill Mr. & Mrs. J. Kirby Barry II Mr. & Mrs. Paul M. Basinski Dr. & Mrs. Robert C. Bast Jr. Ms. Margaret Basu Dr. & Mrs. Arthur L. Beaudet Benchmark Engineering, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd M. Bentsen III Eldo Bergman/Family Literacy Network Mr. & Mrs. Philippe Berteaud Drs. Henry & Louise Bethea Ms. Nancy H. Bihlmaier Mr. & Mrs. Chris Birdsall William & Laura Black Mr. & Mrs. James E. Blackwell Mr. Jay Blinderman Mr. & Mrs. George Boerger Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Bolam Meg Boulware & Hartley Hampton/ Boulware & Valoir Mr. & Mrs. Peter Bowden Bob Frank Boydston Mrs. Linda K. Brahaney Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Brass Margaret & Brian Bravo Joe Brazzatti Katherine M. Briggs Mrs. Catherine Campbell Brock & Dr. Gary Brock Mr. Chester Brooke & Dr. Nancy Poindexter Mr. & Mrs. Steven Brosvik Pamela Brylski Dr. & Mrs. Fred Buckwold Mrs. Anne H. Bushman Mr. & Mrs. Raul Caffesse Dr. Maria Calcina Mrs. Charles Callery Mr. & Mrs. Joseph L. Campbell Louise Carlson & Richard Larrabee Mrs. Mary Ann Carrico Margot & John Cater Mr. & Mrs. John M. Cavanaugh Honorable Theresa Chang & Dr. Peter Chang Mr. & Mrs. Kent Chenevert Virginia A. Clark Mr. Robert L. Clarke Dr. & Mrs. Alfred C. Coats Mr. & Mrs. Ernest D. Cockrell II Jim R. & Lynn Coe Ms. Ellen T. Cokinos Mr. Mark C. Conrad Mr. & Mrs. Ray Cook James D. Cox & Ritsuko Komaki-Cox Joe & Nancy Crabb Ms. Marsha K. Crawford David & Liz Crowley Katie & Harry Cullen Mr. & Mrs. James D. Dannenbaum

April 2015 31

Houston Symphony Donors Mr. Blakke Davis Mr. & Mrs. Paul Davis Mr. & Mrs. Antoine de Gramont Caroline Deetjen Mr. & Mrs. Rene Degreve Brian & Leah Del Signore Becky & Joe Demeter Dr. Ronald DePinho & Dr. Lynda Chin Mr. & Mrs. E. E. Deschner Ms. Aurelie Desmarais & Mr. Ed Struzynski Mr. & Mrs. Ralph DeVore Mandy & Rafael Diaz Bruce B. Dice Ms. Cynthia Diller Mike & Debra Dishberger Charles Dishman Mr. Michael Dooley Mr. & Mrs. James P. Dorn Robert J. Doyle Dr. Burdett S. & Mrs. Kathleen C.E. Dunbar Mrs. Dan L. Duncan Mrs. Deborah Dunkum Egon & Elisa Durban Drs. Rosalind & Gary Dworkin Mrs. William H. Dwyer III Mr. & Mrs. Edward N. Earle Mr. Michael Eichhorn Mr. & Mrs. Jack Ellis Hon. & Mrs. John D. Ellis Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Elsenbrook Evin Ashley Erdowdu Annette & Knut Eriksen Jenny & Wendell Erwin, M.D. Terry Everett & Eric Cheyney Dr. Louis & Mrs. Paula Faillace Christine Falgout Island Operating Co., Inc. Kimberly Falgout Island Operating Co., Inc. Mrs. Fran Fawcett Peterson Mrs. Ronald Fischer Mr. Dale Fitz Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Fleisher Joyce & David Fox Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Franklin Jr. Elizabeth & Ralph Frankowski Ms. Ann Frautschi & Mr. Christopher Frautschi Mr. Colin Gatwood & Ms. Aralee Dorough Mr. & Mrs. Neil Gaynor Mr. & Mrs. John Gee Mr. & Mrs. Joe Genitempo Mrs. Rosanne Hudson & Mr. Jim Gensheimer Rebecca Gentry Mr. & Dr. David K. Gibbs Joan M. Giese Dr. & Mrs. Jack Gill Walter Gilmore Drs. Nancy Glass & John Belmont Mr. Morris Glesby Mrs. Barbara Goedecke L. Rusty Goetz Dr. John Gomez & Dr. Cora Mihu Michael A. Gonser Dr. & Mrs. Bradford S. Goodwin Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Gossett Alexandra & Daniel Gottschalk Mr. & Mrs. Tim Graham Kendall & Pauline Gray Ms. Joyce Z. Greenberg Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Gregory Dennis Griffith & Louise Richman Mr. & Mrs. Steve K. Grimsley Melinda & Doug Groves Mr. & Mrs. Jay Guerrero Claudio Gutierrez Eric & Angelea Halen Mrs. Thalia Halen Mr. & Mrs. Don H. Haley Ms. Liz Hampton

www.houstonsymphony.org

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Hanson Marion S. Hargrove Dr. & Mrs. William S. Harwell Mr. & Mrs. Roy Haun Mr. & Mrs. John Havens Mr. & Mrs. Houston Haymon Mr. & Mrs. Frank L. Heard Jr. Mr. John Heghinian & Ms. Isabelle Bedrosian John Heiny Mr. & Mrs. David J. Hemenway Mr. & Mrs. Matt Hennessy Ann & Joe Hightower Jeannette & Brodrick Hill Dr. Suzanne M. Hite Mr. Robert Hoff Mr. Stanley Hoffberger Mr. Tim Hogan Dr. Holly Holmes & Mr. Paul Otremba Mr. & Mrs. John Homier Dr. Matthew Horsfield & Dr. Michael Kauth Mr. John Horstman Mr. & Mrs. George Hricik Mr. Frank Huang Mr. & Mrs. Robert Humphries Jay Jackson & Barbara Waugh Mr. & Mrs. Paul M. Janicke Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Jankovic Stephen Jeu & Susanna Calvo Arlene J. Johnson Mr. Eric S. Johnson & Dr. Ronada Davis Kurt Johnson & Colleen Matheu Mr. Robert E. Johnson & Ms. Ariella Perlman Mr. & Mrs. Steve Johnson Jessica Q. Johnston Ms. Sheila K. Johnstone Ms. Alisha Jones Mr. & Mrs. Carl Jones Mr. & Mrs. Steve Jones Mr. & Mrs. Thorro Jones Dr. & Mrs. Robert E. Jordon Ms. Natalia Kalitynska Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Katz Ms. Carolyn C. Keeble Lynda & Frank Kelly Louise & Sherwin Kershman Nora J. Klein, M.D. Mr. & Mrs. J.C. Kneale Jimmy & Kaelyn Koch Lucy & Victor Kormeier Deborah Kosich Mr. & Mrs. Sam Koster Mr. & Mrs. Kevin W. Kremer Mrs. Deanna Lamoreux Mr. William H. Lane Jr. Mr. Richard Lang Mr. & Mrs. Chris Laporte Ms. Joni Hartgraves Latimer Mr. David Leebron & Mrs. Y. Ping Sun Dr. & Mrs. Daniel E. Lehane Ms. Joyce Lehrfeld Dr. & Mrs. Morton Leonard Jr. Golda Anne & Bob Leonard Mr. & Mrs. Robert Leonard Seth & Karen Lerner Velva G. & H. Fred Levine Ms. Cindy Levit Mr. & Mrs. Bob Licato Mr. William W. Lindley James C. Lindsey Mr. Jeff Lippold Dr. & Mrs. James R. Lloyd Dr. & Mrs. Kelly B. Lobley Renee & Michael Locklar Ms. Sylvia Lohkamp Robert & Gayle Longmire Mr. Paul F. Longstreth & Ms. Marilyn Maloney Mr. & Mrs. Alberto Lozano Ms. Sue Ann Lurcott Mr. & Mrs. Frederic V. Malek Mrs. Barbara Manering

Mr. Michael Mankins Mr. & Mrs. Mark Matovich Catherine & Matt Matthews Mr. William L. Maynard Georgia Braun McBride Dr. William McCallum Linda & Jim McCartney Laurence McCullough & Linda Jean Quintanilla Kristen & Steve McDaniel Dr. A. McDermott & Dr. A. Glasser Ms. Judi A. McGee Mr. & Mrs. Martin McIntyre Dr. & Mrs. Jack G. McNeill Ernie & Martha McWilliams Dr. Gabriel E. Mena Mr. & Mrs. Prasad Menon Mr. Ronald A. Mikita Mr. & Mrs. Arnold M. Miller Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Miller C. Wayne & Patricia J. Miller Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Mireles Mr. & Mrs. Robert Mitchell Mr. & Mrs. R. S. Moen Mr. & Mrs. John C. Molloy Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Molloy Mr. & Mrs. David M. Monk Cara & Tanner Moran Mr. & Mrs. William Morgan Sue A. Morrison Amanda & Justin Morton Mr. & Mrs. Keith Mosing Mr. William R. Mowlam Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Mueller Mr. & Mrs. Richard Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Joe Murray Daniel & Karol Musher Mr. & Mrs. William J. Napier Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Mo & Heli Nashef Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey B. Newton Ms. Sheila Neylon Ms. Dorothy Nicholson Mr. Stephen Nicol Leslie & John Niemand Mr. & Mrs. Lipscomb Norvell OCTG, LLP Marie-Theres F. Odermatt Mariloli & Marvin Odum Mr. & Mrs. John Oehler Steve & Sue Olson Valerie J. Sherlock Ms. Jennifer Owen & Mr. Ed Benyon Jane & Kenneth Owen Mr. & Mrs. Robert Page Mr. Jonathan Palmer Ms. Martha Palmer Christine & Robert Pastorek Mr. & Mrs. Raul Pavon Mr. David Peavy & Mr. Stephen McCauley Peter & Nina Peropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Walter Peterson JoAnn & John Petzold Mr. & Mrs. Bob G. Phillips Ms. Debra Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Sam Philpot Mr. & Mrs. Chester M. Pitts II Ms. Linda Posey Mr. & Mrs. James Postl Kim & Ted A. Powell Mr. Thomas Power Mrs. Dana Puddy Mr. & Mrs. David Pursell Mr. Patrick Quinn Dr. & Mrs. Henry H. Rachford Jr. Ms. Ranelle Randles Clinton & Leigh Rappole Mr. & Mrs. Mark S. Rauch Mr. Cameron Ray Mr. John Reger & Ms. Anna Arispe Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Reeves Mr. & Mrs. Allan Reich Mrs. Laura L. Jones & Dr. David W. Reininger

Mr. & Mrs. Hank & Karen Rennar Mrs. Linda Rhodes Brooke & Nathaniel Richards Ed & Janet Rinehart Ms. Lillie Robertson Mr. Floyd W. Robinson Mrs. Evie Ronald Dr. & Mrs. Franklin Rose Milton & Jill Rose Mr. & Mrs. Edward Ross Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Ross Mr. Chadwick Royston Amanda Russell & Matt Calhoun Ms. Robin Russell Kent Rutter & David Baumann John & Mary Ryder Harold H. Sandstead, M.D. Mrs. Holly Sansing Dr. & Mrs. David Sapire Mr. & Mrs. Raymond E. Sawaya Mr. & Mrs. Eric Schaeffer Mr. Lawrence Schanzmeyer Beth & Lee Schlanger Dr. & Mrs. H. Irving Schweppe Jr. Donna Scott Mr. Joe L. Scott Charles & Andrea Seay Mr. Victor E. Serrato Mr. Don W. Shackelford Marcia & Victor Shainock Arthur & Ellen Shelton Ms. Angela Sherman Jo A. Simmons Mr. Geoff Simpson Mr. Ryan T. Sims Mr. & Mrs. Steve B. Sims Mr. Brinton Averil Smith & Ms. Evelyn Chen Mr. Hilary Smith & Ms. Lijda Vellekoop Mr. & Mrs. Tom Smith Dean & Kay Snider Mr. Charles E. Soderstrom Steve & Judy Sohn Mr. & Mrs. Richard Spies Ms. Georgiana Stanley Dr. & Mrs. C. Richard Stasney Mrs. Jeaneen Stastny Joyce Steensrud Karen & Bruce Steffler Mr. & Mrs. Alan Stein Mr. & Mrs. Arthur E. Stephens Mr. & Mrs. James R. Stevens Erin & James Stewart Cassie B. Stinson & Dr. R. Barry Holtz Jack & Karen Stopnicki Dr. Navin Subramanian & Dr. Missy Dupree Dr. & Mrs. David Sufian Mr. Mark Sullivan Mrs. Mary Swafford Mr. Clifford A. Swanlund Jr. Barb Swartz Mr. & Mrs. Gregory D. Sweet Ms. Jeanine Swift Mr. & Mrs. Adam Szczepanski Mr. & Mrs. Albert S. Tabor Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Alireza Taghdisi Carol Tai Mr. Garry Tanner Glenn Taylor Candace & Brian Thomas Jean & Doug Thomas Jacob & Elizabeth Thomas Eric & Carol Timmreck Mrs. Glenda C. Toole Mr. Gerard Trione Ms. Beverly Turner McDonald Mr. Eddie Turner John G. Turner & Jerry G. Fischer Mr. & Mrs. David M. Underwood Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Timothy J. Unger Mr. & Mrs. Duane Utecht Mr. & Mrs. Paolo Valente Susan J. & Gary W. Valka

Houston Symphony Donors Mr. & Mrs. Donn K. Van Arsdall Dr. & Mrs. Gage Van Horn Mr. & Mrs. William A. Van Wie Matthew VanBesien & Rosanne Jowitt Ms. Jana Vander Lee Rachael & Jason Volz/ A Fare Extraordinaire Dr. & Mrs. Edward C. Wade Dean B. Walker Betty & Bill Walker Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Walt Mr. H. Richard Walton Alton & Carolyn Warren Mr. & Mrs. James A. Watt Mr. Chien-Wey Wei Ms. Bryony Jane Welsh Mr. & Mrs. Eden N. Wenig Mr. & Mrs. Andrew White Mr. & Mrs. Bradley White Mrs. Deanne White James & Pamela Wilhite Charline & Bill Wilkins Gene & Sandra Williams Mr. & Mrs. Sidney B. Williams Mr. & Mrs. Neil A. Wizel Ms. Beth Wolff Dr. & Mrs. Jerry S. Wolinsky Ms. Susan Wood Mr. & Mrs. Donald E. Woodard Jr. Drs. Randall & Crystal Wright David & Tara Wuthrich Mr. & Mrs. Haresh Yalamanchili Jenny & Chris Yarrow Mrs. Mary. V. Young Mr. & Mrs. Charles Zabriskie Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Zarrow Anonymous (14)

Director $500 - $999

Mr. & Mrs. W. Kendall Adam Donalee & Noel T. Adams Mr. & Mrs. Dan Ahuero William & Nancy Akers Mr. & Mrs. Michael Alexander Mr. Robert J. Alexander & Ms. Becky A. Stemper Ms. Joan Ambrogi Dr. Hesham M. Amin & Dr. Lara Ferrario Ms. Sally S. Andrews & Mr. James Nelson Mrs. Roya Arfa Corbin & Char Aslakson Mr. & Mrs. John C. Averett Mr. Henry Bair Mr. Bobby A. Baiza Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel Baizan Dr. Saul & Ursula Balagura Trace Trahan Bannerman Dan Barnum & Marilyn Lewis Mr. A. Greer Barriault & Ms. Clarruth A. Seaton Mr. & Mrs. David Barringer Dr. & Mrs. David Barry Ms. Bernice L. Beckerman Ms. Roberta Benson Mr. & Mrs. Frank R. Benton Mrs. Robert L. Berge Mr. Benedict Bertrand Mr. & Mrs. Alan L. Bigman Mr. Philip Booth Chris & Ruth Borman Anne & Edward Bornet Mr. & Mrs. Walter E. Bozeman Ms. Margaret Bragg James & Dale Brannon Sally & Carl Brassow Maurice & Karey Bresenhan Mr. Thomas N. Britton & Ms. Debra A. Ewing Mr. Kevin P. Brophy Mr. J. W. Brougher Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Brougher Sally & Laurence Brown Mr. Eric Brueggeman Mr. Kurt Brungardt

Mr. & Mrs. Larry W. Buck Mrs. Karen Buckwold Ms. Vicki P. Buxton Virginia & William Camfield Mr. & Mrs. J. Scott Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Rod Canion Phil & Michele Carey Mr. Richard N. Carrell Mr. Steven E. Chancellor Mr. & Mrs. E. Thomas Chaney Ms. Irene Chang Mr. Michael Chang / Directron.com Mr. & Mrs. Alan R. Christensen Mr. & Mrs. David A. Cockrell Dr. & Mrs. Martin Cohen Donna M. Collins Dr. Gary Colman & Ms. Andrea Coughlin-Rowley Mr. & Mrs. Tulio Colmenares Mr. & Mrs. Clayton A. Compton Mr. H. Talbot Cooley Mr. & Mrs. Sam Cooper Ms. Miquel A. Correll Sarah & Ben Cotting Mr. & Mrs. Hugo Coumont Mr. & Mrs. John F. Crawford Mr. & Mrs. T. N. Crook Mr. Calvin Crossley Mr. & Mrs. Timothy J. Crull Mrs. Deborah Culp Mr. Carl R. Cunningham Nigel Curtlet Dr. Lida S. Dahm Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Dauber Masden & Lupita Davis Mr. Darryl de Mello Mr. Joseph A. Dellinger Dr. & Ms. Peter Dempsey James R. Denton Ms. Joan DerHovsepian Mr. & Mrs. Paul Destephano Ms. Elisabeth DeWitts Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Dokell Leland A. Dolan Col. & Mrs. John Jay Douglass Elizabeth H. Duerr Mr. Jean-Claude Dulac & Mrs. Nathalie Dulac-Forestier Ms. Emma Dunch & Ms. Elizabeth Scott Mr. & Mrs. Bill Edgmon Mr. Paul Ehrsam Mr. Ramsay M. Elder Mr. & Mrs. Billie Ellis Ruth W. Ereli Mr. & Mrs. James Etherton Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Eury Robert H. Fain Jr., M.D. Mr. & Mrs. Michael D. Fertitta Mr. Jonathan Fischer Trent & Wendy Foltz Mr. & Mrs. Cecil Fong Ms. Eleanor Fontenot Mr. & Mrs. David Fortner Ms. Diane L. Freeman Bill & Diana Freeman Veronica & Terry Fussell Mr. & Mrs. Gibson Gayle Jr. Ms. Margaret Wendy Germani Ms. Josephine Gilmore Nancy Glanville Jewell Gary & Marion Glober Mr. & Mrs. David Glodt Mrs. Cathy Goettee Mr. Irving L. Gold, M.D.P.A. Helen B. Wils & Leonard Goldstein Mr. Bert & Patricia Gordon Dr. Harvey L. Gordon Mr. Mark Gordon & Mrs. Ilona C. Pall Dr. & Mrs. David Gorenstein Ms. Adelma Graham Mr. Garrett Graham Mr. David M. Gray Jr. & Ms. Mary A. Pearce Mr. & Mrs. Steve Greenberg

Mrs. Adriana Greene Mr. Gerald Greiner Brent & Linda Gwaltney Dr. Teruhiko Hagiwara Mr. & Mrs. Uzi Halevy Gaye & Dennis Halpin Mr. Brett L. Hamilton Mrs. Vickie Hamley Mr. & Mrs. Ron Hammonds Rita & John Hannah Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Harbachick Michael D. Hardin Mr. & Mrs. Tod P. Harding Bruce Harkness & Alice Brown W. Russel Harp & Maarit K. Savola-Harp Mr. Christopher K. Harris Thomas F. & Catherine Mary Hastings Mr. Michael Heath Mr. David T. Hedges Jr. Sheila & Isaac Heimbinder Mr. & Mrs. Jared N. Heindel Dr. & Mrs. William Heird Terry L. & Karen G. Henderson Mr. & Mrs. James P. Hennessy Mr. & Mrs. David Hergert Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Herrmann Mr. & Mrs. Donald Herron Mr. & Mrs. W. Grady Hicks Susan Hodge Mr. Robert Hogan Mr. Todd Holowisky Mr. Scott Holshouser Patricia P. Hubbard Eric Boerwinkle & Vicki Huff Mr. & Mrs. Dean Huffman Mr. & Mrs. Mark Hull Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee Ms. Kimberly Isaac Mr. & Mrs. M. R. Isak Ms. Kathy Jackson Mr. Mark Johansson Mr. & Mrs. Randal E. Jones Mr. & Mrs. Arnold M. Kaestner Dr. Richard A. Kasschau Mr. & Mrs. Yoshi Kawashima Mr. & Mrs. Craig M. Kercho Mr. & Mrs. James L. Ketelsen Dr. & Mrs. James Killian Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon M. Kindall Dave & Laura Kirk Dr. Carolyn Kneese Mr. Curtis Knobbe Mr. & Mrs. William H. Knull III Steve Dukes & Nobuhide Kobori Dr. & Mrs. James H. Krause Suzanne A. & Dan D. Kubin Mr. Vijay Kusnoor Mr. & Mrs. Todd Lachenmyer Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Lack Mr. & Mrs. Joel Landis Ramille Law Mr. Bryan LeBlanc Mr. Manuel Lemelle Dr. Daniel Lemke Mr. & Mrs. Bill Lemmer Mr. & Mrs. Earl L. Lester Jr. Ms. Megan Light Mr. Scott Link Priscilla L. List Ms. Nina K. Lynn Mr. & Mrs. Peter MacGregor Mr. Rocky Mafrige Ms. Barbara Manna Ms. Renee Margolin Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Marion Mr. & Mrs. David Martin Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Matiuk James G. Matthews Mr. R. Scott McCay Mr. & Mrs. Scott McCool Mr. & Mrs. Michael McGinity Ms. L. Dianne McGreevy Mr. George McKee Mr. & Mrs. Theron McLaren

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence McManus Mr. & Mrs. James L. McNett Dr. & Mrs. G. Walter McReynolds Ms. Maria Carolina Mendoza Ellen Ochoa & Coe F. Miles Mr. & Mrs. Herbert G. Mills Jennifer & David Mire Ms. Marsha L. Montemayor Mr. & Mrs. James Moore Mr. & Mrs. Jim K. Moore Mr. & Mrs. James T. Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Murphy Ms. Dorothy Sharp Myers Patience Myers & Murray Herbert Ms. Jennifer Naae Mr. & Mrs. David S. Neuberger Ms. Amy Ng Ms. Khanh Nguyen Ms. Kathryn Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien Reymundo Ocanas Mr. & Mrs. Rufus W. Oliver III Mr. Roel Olson Mr. Michael Ondrias & Dr. Dana Ondrias Ms. Judith Oppenheim Drs. M. & V. Orocofsky Mr. Edgar J. Ortiz Mr. & Mrs. Enrique Ospina Ms. Dianne Padgett Mr. & Mrs. Marc C. Paige John E. (Sandy) Parkerson Prof. & Mrs. Jordan Paust Jim & Arlene Payne Mr. & Mrs. Philip Peacock Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Penn Ed & Heidi Perkins Mr. & Mrs. William Phelps Grace & Carroll Phillips Mr. James D. Pitcock Jr. Mr. Robert W. Powell Mr. Mike Prichard Nancy & Melanie Puska Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Pybus Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Manuel E. Quintana Elias & Carole Qumsieh Agnieszka & Marat Rakhmatullaev Mr. & Mrs. Paul Ramirez Dr. & Mrs. Michael Rasmussen Mr. & Mrs. William B. Rawl Mr. Frederic Rechlin Mr. & Mrs. Dwain Reeves Ms. Louisa B. Reid Margaret & Walter Rhodes Ms. Amy Richards Mr. & Mrs. Guy Ridout Ms. Ellen Rienstra J. Jeff Robinson Mr. & Mrs. Paul R. Robinson Mr. & Mrs. Charles Rockwell Douglas & Alicia Rodenberger Mr. & Mrs. Keith A. Rogers Kelly & David Rose Mr. Autry W. Ross Mr. & Mrs. Alan Rossiter Scott & Melanie Rothwell Mr. & Mrs. Gregory M. Ruffing Ms. Kimberly Ruona John W. Russo Mr. & Mrs. John E. Ryall Mr. Robert Ryan Ramon & Chula Sanchez Mr. Charles King Sanders Mr. & Mrs. Carl W. Sandlin Mr. & Mrs. Ross Saunders Ms. Cynthia Scanland Ms. Susan E. Scarrow Mrs. Myrna Schaffer Ms. Janet Schaumburg Mr. & Mrs. Russell Scheirman Mr. Michael Shawiak Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Scheliga Mr. & Mrs. Ross Schoppe Drs. Helene & Robert Schwartz Amanda & John Seaberg Ms. Elizabeth Shack

April 2015 33

Houston Symphony Donors Mr. & Mrs. Paul Shack Mr. & Mrs. Richard Shell Louis H. Skidmore Jr. Mr. Eric G. Smith Mr. Jason Smith John L. Snyder Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Sommer Mary Louise Spencer Richard P. Steele & Mary J. McKerall Mr. & Mrs. Donald K. Steinman Mr. & Mrs. Michael Stelling Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Stewart Ms. Betsy J. Strong Mr. Alan Stuckert Ms. Kathy Suave Mr. Roger Suter & Ms. Lakessia Fry Mr. John L. Sutterby Amy Sutton & Gary Chiles Mr. & Mrs. Eric Swanson Dr. Jeffrey Sweterlitsch Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Symon Mr. Monsour Taghdisi

Dr. Shahin Tavackoli Mr. Kerry Taylor Mr. & Mrs. Gary Teletzke Mr. & Mrs. David K. Terry Stephen A. Tew, M.D. Mr. & Mrs. Troy Thacker Ms. Betsy Mims & Mr. Howard D. Thames Mrs. Marjorie Therrell Mr. & Mrs. Garrett Thompson Nancy & Peter Thompson Mr. Matthew Thornton Mr. & Mrs. Dale M. Tingleaf Mr. & Mrs. Roger Townsend Mr. Roger Trandell Mr. James Trippett Dr. Robert Ulrich & Ms. June R. Russell Ms. Patricia Van Allan Mr. & Mrs. David Vannauker Mr. Zachary Vazquez Mr. & Mrs. Chief Veith

Ms. Laurette Veres Pieter & Janet Vrancken Ms. Elise Wagner Milton L. Wagner Mr. William Walker Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth W. Warren Terence & Kathryn Washington Mr. Frank Watson Mr. & Mrs. K.C. Weiner Don & Linda Weinmann Dr. & Mrs. Richard T. Weiss Ms. Amy E. Whitaker Dr. & Mrs. Robert E. White Ms. Sara E. White Kay & Doug Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Wilson Ms. Shelley Wisner Mr. Gerhard R. Wittich Dr. Dorothy Wong Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Wootton Marvin & Terry Woskow Family Fund Mr. & Mrs. Emil Wulfe

Mr. Michael Wynhoff Ms. Alexandra Yates Mrs. Traci Young Mr. & Mrs. Mark Yzaguirre Mr. & Mrs. Frederick C. Zerke Mr. Dave Zinni Ms. Susan Zollers Anonymous (18)

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Stewart

Ms. Nancy Mann Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. Mason Steve & Linda Massie Mr. & Mrs. Alan May Jr. Pinet & Jim McBride Mr. & Mrs. David R. McKeithan Jr. Joy & Gary Noble Mrs. Kay Onstead Mr. Kim Parker Margaret & V. Scott Pignolet Mr. & Mrs. Gary Prentice W. R. Purifoy Judy & Bill Pursell Dr. & Mrs. Albert E. Raizner Venu & Elsie Rao Mr. & Mrs. John T. Riordan Mr. James L. Robertson Soren & Annetta Rose Brenda & Mansel Rubenstein Ms. Cinda Schaffer Mr. & Mrs. James Schulz Mrs. Lynda G. Seaman Charlotte Stafford Mr. & Mrs. Nick Stratigakis Mr. & Mrs. Karl Strobl Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Symko Mr. & Mrs. Charles Trinh Ms. Jeanine M. Van Wagenen Ms. Jody Verwers Dr. & Mrs. Brad Wertman Mr. & Mrs. Bob Wolin Nancy & Scott Wynant Anonymous (4)

The Houston Symphony would like to thank the 5,257 individual donors that gave up to $499 over the past year. As of February 1, 2015 To note any errors or omissions, please call Darryl de Mello at (713) 337-8529.

Houston Symphony POPS Donors Ima Hogg Society $150,000 or More Mr. George P. Mitchell Sybil F. Roos Centennial Society $100,000 - $149,000 Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Founder’s Society $75,000 - $99,000 Darlene & Cappy Bisso Maestro’s Society $50,000 -$74,999 Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Mr. Brian Teichman & Mr. Andrew Cordes Ms. Judith Vincent Concertmaster’s Society $25,000 - $49,999 Allen & Almira Gelwick Lockton Companies Susan & Dick Hansen Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth & Dr. Ken Hyde Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Dr. & Mrs. Michael Mann John & Bobbie Nau Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr. Conductor’s Circle, Platinum $15,000 - $24,999 Graham & Janet Baker Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Mrs. Gloria Pepper & Dr. Bernard Katz Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Ken & Carol Lee Robertson Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wallace S. Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Scott Wulfe Conductor’s Circle, Gold $10,000 - $14,999 Danielle & Josh Batchelor John & Candace Caley Mr. & Mrs. Bert Cornelison David & Cindy Deere John & Minerva Esquivel Janice & Allan King Mr. & Mrs. John N. Matzer III Martha & Marvin McMurrey Mr. & Mrs. Walter Scherr David & Paula Steakley Shirley & Joel Wahlberg 34

www.houstonsymphony.org

Conductor’s Circle, Silver $7,500 - $9,999 Lilia Khakimova & C. Robert Bunch Roger & Debby Cutler Mr. Scott Ensell Evan B. Glick Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Mr. & Mrs. Frank Herzog Marianne & Robert Ivany, University of St. Thomas Bryan & Vickie McMicken Rita & Paul Morico Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson Roman & Sally Reed Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Conductor’s Circle, Bronze $5,000 - $7,499 Beth & Jim Barton Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Bowman Rhona & Bruce Caress Mr. & Mrs. Thierry Caruso Connie & Byron Dyer Mr. & Mrs. Peter Fluor Mr. & Mrs. Edd C. Hendee Mr. & Mrs. John P. Kotts Michael & Kelley Lang Ms. Lynne Lipsitz Terry & Kandee McGill Mr. Robert J. Pilegge Jean & Allan Quiat Vicky & Michael Richker Mr. & Mrs. George A. Rizzo Jr. Sally & Denney Wright Grand Patron $2,500 - $4,999 Mr. & Mrs. J. Emery Anderson Robert & Gwen Bray Dr. Christopher Buehler & Ms. Jill Hutchison Mr. & Mrs. Bruce G. Buhler Mr. & Mrs. James E. Dorsett Mr. & Mrs. Mike Ezzell Jo Lynn & Gregg Falgout/ Island Operating Company, Inc. Alice R. McPherson, M.D. Dr. & Mrs. Raghu Narayan Jeff & Pat Ponthier Mr. & Mrs. Ben A. Reid Shirley & Marvin Rich Richard & Anne Robbins Rosemarie & Jeff Roth Mr. Morris Rubin Dr. & Mr. Adrian D. Shelley

Patron $1,000 - $2,499 Mr. & Mrs. Kingsley Agbor Mrs. Sally Alcorn Suan Angelo Sue Sue & Don Aron Martha & Stanley Bair Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Banks Dr. & Mrs. William S. Banks III Donald & Dottie Bates Ms. Deborah S. Bautch & Ms. Mary Lavender Mr. Allen J. Becker Mr. John S. Beury Mr. & Mrs. Robert Bixler Mr. & Mrs. W. Carter Bliss Mr. & Mrs. George Boss Ellen Box Ms. Patricia K. Boyd Ms. Barbara A. Brooks Richard & Marcia Churns Mrs. Midge Colton Mr. & Mrs. William V. Conover II Mr. & Mrs. Michael F. Cook Marilyn & Tucker Coughlen Mr. & Mrs. Robert Creager Ms. Ann Currens Mr. & Mrs. David Dybell Mr. & Mrs. Richard Fanning Ms. Carolyn Faulk Barbara Dokell & Larry Finger Mark Folkes & Christopher Johnston Carol & Larry Fradkin Betsy Garlinger Mr. & Mrs. James K. Garner Mr. & Mrs. John Geigel Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Giardino Julius & Suzan Glickman Ms. Shari Glover & Mr. James King Ms. Melissa Goodman Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Hall Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Hansen Ms. Kay Hanson-Clerc Mr. & Mrs. Franklin J. Harberg Jr. Mr. & Mrs. George A. Helland Ms. Margy Keaton Rex & Marillyn King Michael & Darcy Krajewski Mrs. Nancy Lease Gerrit Leeftink Mr. & Mrs. Barry I. Levine Kathleen & Tom Mach

Director $500 - $999 Mr. & Mrs. William R. Allen Mr. & Mrs. T. Michael Andrews Ms. Dorothy G. Blackwell Dr. & Mrs. R. L. Brenner Mr. Jay T. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Ray Butler Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Cantrell Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Paul D. Chapman Dr. Cecil Christensen Mr. & Mrs. Marion Collins Ms. Julie Conner Carlo & Vicki Corso Mr. Warren Dean Mr. & Mrs. George Dobbin John & Joyce Eagle Carolyn & Russell Egan Mildred & Richard Ellis Mr. John Eymann

Houston Symphony Donors Sandra & Steven Finkelman Jessica Ford Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Grafton Mr. & Mrs. Dale Hardy Ann & Bill Heim Ms. Hope Hernandez Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hill Elizabeth & Bob Houston Mr. & Mrs. Joe D. Koshkin Mr. & Mrs. Wilfred M. Krenek Mr. Kent Lacy Gary T. Leach Dr. Monica Lett Mr. & Mrs. Roger Lindgren

Ms. Doris M. Magee Ms. Karen E. Manyak Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth C. Margolis Mr. & Mrs. Bert Neece Mr. & Mrs. Dan Neskora Joe & Ann Palm Esther & Gary Polland Mr. O. M. Rogers Ms. Stacey Saunders & Mr. Jeff Smith Claudette & Tim Shaunty Mr. Michael Shawiak Mr. Jerry Siemers Mr. & Mrs. Bruce S. Smith Jerilyn Stanka

Ms. Judith Starr Dr. & Mrs. Frank C. Sung Mr. & Mrs. Carl N. Tongberg Mr. & Mrs. Don Wilton Anonymous (5)

Nobuhide Kobori Alan L. McAdams & Vicki L. Colvin Dr. William McCallum Bryan & Vickie McMicken David G. Nussman Mr. & Mrs. Peter C. Peropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel Rio

Ms. Susan E. Scarrow Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Sommer Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Mr. & Mrs. James R. Wilhite

CHORUS ENDOWMENT DONORS $500 or more

Mr. Eldo Bergman, Family Literacy Network, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Paul Davis Steve Dukes Joyce & David Fox Robert Lee Gomez Christina & Mark Hanson

As of February 1, 2015

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Leadership Council donors have committed $45,000 or more in support of the Annual Fund, special projects and fundraising events over a three-year period ($15,000+ annually). For more information or to pledge your support, please contact David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, at (713) 337-8525 or Mark Folkes, Senior Director, Development, at (713) 337-8521. Graham & Janet Baker Ms. Nancey G. Lobb Mr. & Mrs. Walter V. Boyle Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Justice Brett & Erin Busby Terence Murphree Janet F. Clark John Neighbors in memory of Jean Marie Neighbors Mr. Richard Danforth Susan & Edward Osterberg Gene & Linda Dewhurst Gloria & Joe Pryzant The Elkins Foundation Donna & Tim Shen Angel & Craig Fox Lisa & Jerry Simon Allen & Almira Gelwick – Lockton Companies Nancy & David Tai The Melbern G. & Susan M. Glasscock Foundation Stephen & Kristine Wallace Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright Jr.

HOUSTON SYMPHONY ENDOWMENT The Houston Symphony Endowment is a separate nonprofit organization that invests contributions to earn income for the benefit of the Houston Symphony Society. Trustees James Lee Jesse B. Tutor Michael Mithoff Fredric A. Weber Alexandra Pruner An endowed fund can be permanently established within the Houston Symphony Endowment through a direct contribution or via a planned gift such as a bequest. The fund can be designated for general purposes or specific interests. For further information, please contact Patrick Quinn, Director, Planned Giving, at (713) 337-8532 or patrick.quinn@houstonsymphony.org. Steven P. Mach, President

notes continued from page 26 | Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 | april 30, May 1, 3 Musician competition at age 11. Since then, he has performed internationally with prominent orchestras, including this Houston Symphony debut, as well as the London Philharmonic Orchestra and New York Philharmonic; London, Montreal, BBC and Tokyo Symphony Orchestras; and the San Francisco Symphony, and in venues such as the Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Centre, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Singapore’s Victoria Hall and Carnegie Hall. Grosvenor has worked with numerous esteemed conductors, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jirˇí Beˇlohlávek, Semyon Bychkov and Vladimir Jurowski. In 2011, he signed with Decca Classics, becoming

the youngest British musician ever to sign with the label and the first British pianist in almost 60 years. His most recent release, Dances, a recital album that presents an historically and stylistically varied offering of works influenced by dance, has been described as “breathtaking” (The Guardian), offering “…performance after performance of surpassing brilliance and character” (Gramophone). During his brief, but sensational career, Benjamin Grosvenor has received Gramophone’s Young Artist of the Year and Instrumental Award, a Classic Brit Award, UK Critics’ Circle Award for Exceptional Young Instrumentalist and a Diapason d’Or Jeune Talent award. April 2015 35

VINTAge virtuoso Every year, Spec’s Charitable Foundation invites member of the wine and liquor industry to come together for an event to benefit the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Programming. The event has grown from dozens of people to dozens of companies coming together to support the Symphony with representatives bringing products for all to taste and share. This year’s event was held on Thursday, December 11, 2014. The Houston Symphony and Spec’s Charitable Foundation thank all of the donors to this event. Platinum Republic National Distributing Company Glazers Gold Diageo Beam Suntory Freixenet USA Bacardi USA Brown Forman Pernod Ricard Silver E&J Gallo Proximo The Wine Group William Grant & Sons Zonin USA

Bronze Anheuser-Busch Silver Eagle Distributors Favorite Brands Anchor Distilling Company Banfi Vintners Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits Tito’s Handmade Vodka The Patron Spirits Company NewQuest Properties Classified Wine & Blue Ventures Kobrand Wines Palm Bay International Serendipity Wine Imports Bank of America Merrill Lynch Harco Insurance Services Truno Retail Technology Solutions

Underwriters Pernod Ricard Luxco Harco Insurance Services Alexander Valley Vineyards Zonin USA V2 Wine Group Other Robert & Phoebe Tudor Aquinas Companies, Yellow Rose Distilling & Cherie Rice

biographies continued from page 13 | uk rocks—from the beatles to coldplay | april 2, 3, 4 J. ROBERT SPENCER, vocalist In 2004, J. Robert Spencer originated the role of Nick Massi in the Tony Award- and Grammy Award-winning Broadway musical Jersey Boys. He left Jersey Boys four years later and created the role of Dan Goodman in the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway production of Next To Normal. His work earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. He also was nominated for a Midwest Emmy Award for Best on Camera Performance by a Leading Actor for his work in the PBS production of Handel’s Messiah Rocks. In 2009, his film company 7 Spencer Productions executive produced the environmental documentary On Coal River, which has

been the official selection of more than 50 festivals worldwide and won several awards, including the Appalachian Film Festival. In 2010, he reunited with his Jersey Boys cast mates and formed the concert group, “The Midtown Men – 4 Stars from the Original Cast of Jersey Boys”. The group has performed 400 concerts worldwide and recently filmed the PBS concert The Midtown Men Live in Concert. Later this year, Spencer will produce and star as Abraham Lincoln in the bluegrass musical comedy UnCivil War with an outof-town Broadway try-out for a 2016 spring opening. J. Robert Spencer received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Shenandoah University in 2009. Visit jrobertspencer.com.

biographies continued from page 23 | A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch | april 24, 25, 26 in the world premiere of his last musical The Nutty Professor (directed by the legendary Jerry Lewis). In Nashville, she won the Best Leading Actress award for her performance. McGowan has appeared on Broadway in the A Little Night Music revival alongside Catherine Zeta Jones and Angela Lansbury (original cast recording), Bonnie and Clyde (original cast recording) and Les Misérables (revival and national tour) in which she performed both the roles of Eponine and Cosette. 36

www.houstonsymphony.org

Some of her favorite regional roles include Magnolia in Show Boat at the Asolo Repertory Theatre; Maria in The Sound of Music at Casa Mañana with the Lyric Theatre; Guinevere in Camelot and Mary Jane in Big River at the Goodspeed Opera House; Bianca in Kiss Me, Kate and Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at The Playhouse; and Johanna in Sweeney Todd at the Geva Theatre Center. She has appeared in TNT’s Major Crimes and in many recordings and readings of new works throughout New York City. Her concert performances include Lincoln Center (A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch), Annapolis Chorale, Alpine Theatre Project, New York’s Hudson Theatre, Utah Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Marissa McGowan received a BFA in musical theater from Syracuse University. Visit marissamcgowan.com.

LEGACY SOCIETY The Legacy Society honors those who have included the Houston Symphony Endowment in their long-term estate plans through bequests, life-income gifts or other deferred-giving arrangements. Members of the Legacy Society enjoy a variety of benefits, including patron lounge access as well as an annual musical event. The Houston Symphony Endowment would like to extend its deepest thanks to the members of the Legacy Society—and with their permission, we are pleased to acknowledge them below. If you would like to learn more about ways to provide for the Houston Symphony Endowment in your estate plans, please contact Patrick Quinn, Director, Planned Giving, at (713) 337-8532 or patrick.quinn@houstonsymphony.org. Dr. & Mrs. George J. Abdo Daniel B. Barnum Janice H. Barrow George & Betty Bashen Dr. Joan Hacken Bitar Dorothy B. Black Ermy Borlenghi Bonfield Joe Brazzatti Zu Broadwater Terry Ann Brown Joan K. Bruchas & H. Philip Cowdin Mr. Christopher & Mrs. Erin Brunner Eugene R. Bruns Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle Sylvia J. Carroll Dr. Robert N. Chanon Janet F. Clark William J. Clayton & Margaret A. Hughes Mr. William E. Colburn Dr. Lida S. Dahm Leslie Barry Davidson Harrison R.T. Davis Judge & Mrs. Harold DeMoss Jr. Jean & *Jack Ellis The Aubrey & Sylvia Farb Family Eugene Fong Ginny Garrett Lila-Gene George Michael B. George Mauro H. Gimenez & Connie A. Coulomb Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Evan B. Glick Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves Randolph Lee Groninger Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Mrs. Gloria Herman Marilyn & Robert M. Hermance Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth Dr. Edward J. & Mrs. Patti Hurwitz Kenneth Hyde Brian James Dr. Rita Justice

Dr. and Mrs. Ira Kaufman, M.D. John S. W. Kellett Ann Kennedy & Geoffrey Walker Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Mrs. Frances E. Leland Dr. Mary R. Lewis Ms. Nancey G. Lobb E. W. Long Jr. Joella & Steven P. Mach Sandra Magers Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Jay & Shirley Marks James G. Matthews Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow Betty & Gene McDavid Charles E. McKerley Mr. & Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Mr. and Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams Catherine Jane Merchant Dr. & Mrs. Robert M. Mihalo Ron Mikita Katherine Taylor Mize Ione Moran Sidney Moran Sue A. Morrison & Children in memory of Walter J. Morrison Richard & Juliet Moynihan Gretchen Ann Myers John Neighbors in memory of Jean Marie Neighbors Bobbie Newman John & Leslie Niemand Dave G. Nussmann John & Cynthia Onstott Edward C. Osterberg Jr. Imogen “Immy” Papadopoulos Robert A. Peiser Sara M. Peterson Geraldine Smith Priest Gloria Goldblatt Pryzant Mrs. Dana Puddy

Mr. & Mrs. Clive Runnells Walter Ross Mr. Charles King Sanders Donna Scott Charles & Andrea Seay Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Dr. & Mrs. Kazuo Shimada Lisa & Jerry Simon Jule & Albert Smith Mr. & Mrs. Louis J. Snyder Mike & *Anita Stude Emily H. & David K. Terry Stephen G. Tipps Steve Tostengard in memory of Ardyce Tostengard Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Dr. Carlos Vallbona & Children Jana Vander Lee Elba L. Villarreal Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Dean B. Walker David M. Wax & Elaine Arden Cali Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Robert G. Weiner Vicki West, in honor of Hans Graf Geoffrey Westergaard Nancy B. Willerson Jennifer R. Wittman Daisy S. Wong / JCorp Jo Dee Wright Lorraine & Ed Wulfe David & Tara Wuthrich Katherine Yzaguirre, in honor of Betty & Jesse Tutor Edith & Robert Zinn Anonymous (8) As of February 1, 2015 *Deceased

IN MEMORIAM We honor the memory or those who in life included the Houston Symphony Endowment in their estate plans. Their thoughtfulness and generosity will continue to inspire and enrich lives for generations to come! Mr. Thomas D. Barrow W. P. Beard Mrs. H. Raymond Brannon Anthony Brigandi Lawrence E. Carlton, M.D. Mrs. Albert V. Caselli Lee Allen Clark Jack Ellis Mrs. Robin A. Elverson Frank R. Eyler Dr. & Mrs. Larry L. Fedder Helen Bess Fariss Foster Christine E. George Mr. & Mrs. Keith E. Gott John Wesley Graham

Mrs. Marcella Levine Harris General & Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Miss Ima Hogg Burke & Octavia Holman Dr. Blair Justice Mrs. L. F. McCollum Joan B. McKerley Doretha Melvin Monroe L. Mendelsohn Jr. Mrs. Janet Moynihan Arthur Newman Constantine S. Nicandros Hanni Orton Stewart Orton, Legacy Society co-founder

Dr. Michael Papadopoulos Miss Louise Pearl Mr. Howard Pieper Walter W. Sapp, Legacy Society co-founder J. Fred & Alma Laws Lunsford Schultz Ms. Jean R. Sides John K. & Fanny W. Stone Dorothy Barton Thomas Mrs. Harry C. Weiss Mrs. Edward Wilkerson

April 2015 37

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERS The Houston Symphony is proud to recognize the leadership support of our corporate, foundation and government partners that allow the orchestra to reach new heights in musical performance, education and community engagement for Greater Houston and the Gulf Coast Region. For further information on becoming a corporate donor to the Houston Symphony, please contact Martin Schleuse at (713) 337-8537 or martin.schleuse@houstonsymphony.org. For more information on becoming a foundation or government partner, please contact David Chambers at (713) 337-8525 or david.chambers@houstonsymphony.org.

HOUSTON SYMPHONY BUSINESS COUNCIL Co-Chairs Ralph Burch, ConocoPhillips David Wuthrich, Cadence Bank Business Council Host Committee: Prentiss Burt, J.P. Morgan Chase Brett Busby, Texas Court of Appeals, 14th District Janet F. Clark, Marathon Oil Corporation (retired) Ryan Colburn, Regions Bank Cindy Deere, Shell Oil Company Gene Dewhurst, Falcon Seaboard Diversified Mike Doherty, Frost Bank David Frankfort, Deutsche Bank Ron Franklin, McGuireWoods, LLP Allen Gelwick, Lockton Companies, LLC Mauro Gimenez, Russell Reynolds Associates Kathleen Hayes, Merrill Lynch

Steven P. Mach, Mach Industrial Group, LP Michael Mann, Mann Eye Institute Paul Mann, Mann Eye Institute David Massin, Wells Fargo Billy McCartney, Flat Rock Development, LLC Paul Morico, Baker Botts L.L.P. Dana Ondrias, Mann Eye Institute Ed Osterberg, Mayer Brown, LLP Robert A. Peiser, Parkton Group Greg Powers, Halliburton David Pruner, Wood Mackenzie Ltd. Stephen Pryor, ExxonMobil Chemical Co. Ron Rand, Rand Group, LLC

John Rydman, Spec’s Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods Manolo Sanchez, BBVA Compass Jerry Simon, Northern Trust L. Proctor Thomas, Baker Botts L.L.P. (retired) William J. Toomey, BB&T Bobby Tudor, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Company Jesse B. Tutor, Accenture (retired) Margaret Waisman, Affiliated Dermatologists of Houston Fredric Weber, Norton Rose Fulbright Beth Wolff, Beth Wolff Realtors Ed Wulfe, Wulfe & Co. Frank Yonish, Bank of Texas

Sponsor, $25,000 and above Andrews Kurth LLP Bank of America The Boeing Company * Bright Star Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Enterprise Product Partners L.P. * Gittings Houston Baptist University * Houston Chronicle JPMorgan Chase KPMG LLP Mann Eye Institute and Laser Center Marathon Oil Corporation McGuireWoods, LLP * Neiman Marcus Northern Trust Norton Rose Fulbright Regions Bank * Silver Circle Audio SPIR STAR, Ltd. Vinson & Elkins LLP Wells Fargo

Supporter, $10,000 and above * Abrahams Oriental Rugs * Agua Hispanic Marketing CenterPoint Energy * Crown Castle International Corp. Emerson Enbridge Energy Company Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology Center Nordstrom Schlumberger, Ltd. Star Furniture * Zenfilm

Partner, $15,000 and above Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Bank of Texas * City Kitchen East West Bank Ernst & Young LLP Gorman’s Uniform Service Halliburton Independent Bank Laredo Construction, Inc. Locke Lord LLP Lockton Companies of Houston Macy’s Marine Foods Express, LTD. Sidley Austin LLP USI Insurance Services LLC

Patron, Gifts below $5,000 Adolph Locklar, Intellectual Property Law Firm Beth Wolff Realtors Boulware & Valoir Intertek La Esperanza Oil & Gas, LLC / La Esperanza Christian Foundation Marsh & McLennan SEI, Global Institutional Group Smith, Graham & Company Stewart Title Company TAM International, Inc.

Corporate partners As of February 1, 2015

Grand Guarantor, $150,000 and above BBVA Compass * Houston First Corporation * KTRK ABC-13 * Oliver Wyman * Spec’s Charitable Foundation/ Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Guarantor, $100,000 and above Chevron ConocoPhillips * Houston Methodist * Houston Public Media – Classical 91.7 FM; News 88.7 FM; Channel 8 PBS Palmetto Partners Ltd./The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation * PaperCity Phillips 66 * Telemundo * United Airlines Underwriter, $50,000 and above * Baker Botts L.L.P. * BB&T Cameron International Corporation * Cameron Management * The Events Company ExxonMobil Frost Bank GDF SUEZ Energy North America * Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo * Jackson and Company Kalsi Engineering Medistar Corporation * Rand Group, LLC Shell Oil Company

www.houstonsymphony.org

Benefactor, $5,000 and above Barclay’s Wealth and Investment Management Beck Redden LLP Goldman Sachs Louis Vuitton Plains All American Randalls Food Markets Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. Spectra Energy University of St. Thomas Wortham Insurance and Risk Management

* Includes in-kind support

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERS CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS As of February 1, 2015 Aetna Aon Apache Corporation Bank of America BBVA Compass Boeing

BP Foundation Caterpillar Chevron Chubb Group Coca-Cola ConocoPhillips Eli Lilly and Company

ExxonMobil Freeport - McMoRan Oil & Gas General Electric General Mills Goldman, Sachs & Company Halliburton Hewlett-Packard

Houston Endowment IBM ING Financial Services Corporation KBR Merrill Lynch NAACO Industries, Inc.

Neiman Marcus Northern Trust Occidental Petroleum Phillips 66 Shell Oil Company Spectra Energy Williams Companies, Inc.

IN KIND DONORS As of February 1, 2015 A Fare Extraordinaire Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design Alpha-Lee Enterprises, Inc. Aspire Executive Coaching, LLC Bergner & Johnson Bering’s BKD, LLP Boat Ranch Classical 91.7 FM Cognetic Culinaire Carl R. Cunningham DLG Research & Marketing Solutions

Elaine Turner Designs Elegant Events by Michael Elsie Smith Design The Events Company Festari Foster Quan LLP Gucci Hilton Americas – Houston Hotel Granduca Hotel Icon Houston Astros Houston Grand Opera Houston Texans Intercontinental Hotel Houston JOHANNUS Organs of Texas

John L. Wortham & Son, L.P. John Wright/Textprint JW Marriott Houston Downtown Kuhl-Linscomb The Lancaster Hotel Limb Design Martha Turner Properties Meera Buck & Associates Michael’s Cookie Jar Minuteman Press – Post Oak Momentum Jaguar Music & Arts New Leaf Publishing, Inc. Nos Caves Vin Pro/Sound

Rice University Richard Brown Orchestra Saint Arnold’s Brewery Saks Fifth Avenue Shecky’s Media, Inc. Singapore Airlines Staging Solutions Stewart Title The Events Company Tony’s Tootsies Valobra Jewelry & Antiques Versace Village Greenery Yahama

FOUNDATIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES As of February 1, 2015

Diamond Guarantor, $1,000,000 and above Houston Symphony Endowment Houston Symphony League The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Premier Guarantor, $500,000 and above The Brown Foundation, Inc. City of Houston and Theater District Improvement, Inc. The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Principal Guarantor, $250,000 and above Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation/ The Alkek and Williams Foundation City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board The Cullen Foundation Grand Guarantor, $150,000 and above M. D. Anderson Foundation Guarantor, $100,000 and above Houston Endowment The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation/Palmetto Partners Ltd.

Underwriter, $50,000 and above The Elkins Foundation The Fondren Foundation The Humphreys Foundation The John P. McGovern Foundation The Robbins Foundation

Supporter, $10,000 and above The Carleen & Alde Fridge Foundation Petrello Family Foundation The Powell Foundation The Vivian L. Smith Foundation Anonymous

Sponsor, $25,000 and above Beauchamp Foundation Ray C. Fish Foundation Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Sterling-Turner Foundation

Benefactor, $5,000 and above LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation William E. and Natoma Pyle Harvey Charitable Foundation William S. and Lora Jean Kilroy Foundation The Schissler Foundation The Scurlock Foundation Keith and Mattie Stevenson Foundation

Partner, $15,000 and above Ruth and Ted Bauer Family Foundation The Cockrell Foundation The Melbern G. and Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation The Hood-Barrow Foundation Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment Houston Symphony League Bay Area Radoff Family Foundation Strake Foundation Texas Commission on the Arts The Vaughn Foundation

Patron, Gifts below $5,000 Diamond Family Foundation First Junior Woman’s Club of Houston The Helmle-Shaw Foundation Huffington Foundation Leon Jaworski Foundation Kinder Morgan Foundation Robert W. & Pearl Wallis Knox Foundation The Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation The Lubrizol Foundation The Oshman Foundation Chester Pitts Foundation State Employee Charitable Campaign

April 2015 39

BACKSTAGE PASS

Robin Kesselman, principal bass Robin Kesselman was appointed Principal Bass of the Houston Symphony by Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada in December 2014. He has performed as guest principal bass with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, traveled internationally with both The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and performed with the National, Atlanta and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras. Robin began his undergraduate studies at the Colburn School Conservatory of Music before completing his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Southern California in 2012. He went on to receive his Artist Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music in December 2014. Beginnings: I started playing in 4th grade in my elementary school’s music program. My parents are both choral conductors and composers in the Chicagoland area. My sister is a soprano specializing in contemporary classical music, and my brother-in-law is an orchestral conductor. Even though my parents made professional lives out of music, I never felt any pressure to continue the trend. I grew up going to choral concerts of family members as far back as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is when my mother’s youth chorus performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. At that time, the age limit to attend a concert at Orchestra Hall was 5 years old, and I was 4. I vividly remember my father prepping me before we went in that if anyone asked to say I was 5 years old. I also remember looking up at the usher in his red coat and feeling sneaky while answering him with my padded age! Inspiration to become a musician: Growing up surrounded by music, it was always on the back of my mind, but I had a wide array of interests, including sports. Before my junior year of high school, for time commitment reasons, I had to choose between football and double bass. I knew my 5-foot-7-inch self had no chance of making a professional career out of football, and I knew I had better stick with the bass! Inspiration to initially play sports: Sports were always around the house. My dad was one of three boys, and they all played various sports. When I was 5, he called me out of kindergarten to take me to my first Chicago Cubs game. As a kid, the vast majority of my friends had nothing to do with music; we all did sports together. I played baseball every year of my childhood before changing to football (I was a cornerback) and tennis. I think there is absolutely a comparison to be drawn between the discipline of athletes and musicians. Working toward excellence in any field demands an incredible amount of discipline.

Athletes and musicians push themselves to be the best they can be on a daily basis. Furthermore, the bass is a very physical instrument. Performing and managing an instrument this size requires a full-body effort. In order to do my job well, I have to keep my body in good condition to keep up my stamina and prevent injury. Looking forward to this season: I’m especially looking forward to Mahler’s third symphony, the last subscription concert of the season. Mahler symphonies are some of my favorite works to explore and play. Playing this piece with the Houston Symphony under Andrés’ direction is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Currently listening to: It’s always changing, but to name a few current staples: Oscar Peterson Trio Plus One (in honor of the late Clark Terry), Jazz/R+B fusion group The RH Factor, Wax Tailor, RJD2, alt-J and the Brad Mehldau Trio. Outside Jones Hall: I enjoy cooking as well as exploring new restaurants or interesting ethnic food I know little about. I also love to read, hike and travel. One of the pictures on this page is from bungee jumping in Macau on a recent trip to Asia. I hope to go back soon! My sister did a graduate degree in music at Rice University about 10 years ago. Visiting her was my only personal connection to town before moving here. Because I’m only in my first few weeks of being a Houstonian, I don’t know much about the city yet! I love the small parts of the restaurant and food scene that I’ve seen so far. I’m excited to start exploring! Robin Kesselman is sponsored by Houston Symphony Governing Director Ralph Burch.

Proud sponsor of Backstage Pass and publisher of Houston Symphony Magazine www.newleafinc.com 40