InTune | November 2024

InTUNE

The Houston Symphony Magazine

Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote

It Don’t Mean a Thing: Swingin’ Uptown Classics with Byron Stripling

Michael Tilson Thomas Conducts Beethoven 9 Bach, Mozart & Brahms

GREENWOOD KING

Your Houston Symphony

Welcome to the Houston Symphony Your Symphony Experience

Juraj Valčuha, Music Director

Orchestra Roster

Society Board of Trustees

Administrative Staff

2024–25 Harry and Cora Sue Mach Student Concerts

In Harmony: Empowering Communities through Music

Next Month at the Houston Symphony

Programs

Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote It Don’t Mean a Thing: Swingin’ Uptown Classics with Byron Stripling

Michael Tilson Thomas Conducts Beethoven 9 Bach, Mozart & Brahms

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welcome to the houston symphony

Dear Music Lovers,

Welcome back to Jones Hall. Last month we kicked off our new four-concert Chamber Series. The series offers a unique opportunity to experience music with our world-class musicians in an up-close and intimate environment. We hope you will consider joining us for the next performance in the series, Vienna Calling: Passport to Vienna, on December 1.

November opens with Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote. Whimsical and full of adventure, this highlights two of our own, Joan DerHovsepian and Brinton Averil Smith in the roles of Sancho Panza (viola) and Don Quixote (cello), respectively. Conducting the orchestra is Sir Donald Runnicles, here by the personal invitation from Music Director Valčuha.

Next we shift to the Bank of America POPS series with It Don't Mean a Thing: Swingin' Uptown Classics with Byron Stripling. Jones Hall transforms into The Savoy and Cotton Club during their Harlem Renaissance days in the roarin' twenties. Get ready to dance, snap, and be transported by Houston-favorite Byron Stripling conducting, singing, and playing trumpet.

The PNC Family Series returns! An exciting new season begins this month with great, interactive offerings for the little ones—and the little-at-heart. First-up is The Great American Music Adventure with Byron Stripling, showcasing quintessential American rhythms like jazz, soul, gospel, and Americana.

Yet another huge name visits us with legendary conductor Michael Tilson Thomas returning to Houston to lead the orchestra for Beethoven 9, one of the most beloved and recognizable pieces of classical music, featuring the Houston Symphony Chorus.

Then it’s a movie with orchestra, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Back by popular demand after a nearly sold-out run last year, this family favorite is the perfect way to say goodbye to Halloween and welcome the 2024 Christmas season.

Next is a weekend of favorites with Bach, Mozart & Brahms. Concertmaster Yoonshin Song leads the orchestra in this unique program highlighting sections of the orchestra. Showcasing our Houston talent, hear woodwinds and brass take center stage.

We close out the month with Beethoven's Emperor Concerto featuring powerhouse pianist Yefim Bronfman. This is a bold, uplifting piece and a reminder of all we have to be thankful for. Here at the Houston Symphony, we have much to be thankful for, especially for you, our audience and supporters. Your ticket purchases and donations make these concerts and all of our education and community engagement work possible. Thank you for supporting the Houston Symphony and for joining us in Jones Hall for this special month of concerts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Elizabeth Condic, Interim Executive Director/CEO Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

CALENDAR 2024 –25 SEASON

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: The Music of Motown

September 28 & 29

Bohemian Rhapsody Festival: Bohemian Rhapsodies

September 29

Opening Weekend: Dvořák’s New World

October 4, 5 & 6

Trifonov in Concert

October 10

Dvořák’s Violin Concerto

October 12 & 13

Halloween Silent Film Double Feature

October 25

Rocky Horror Picture Show

October 26

Hansel and Gretel & Don Quixote

November 1, 2 & 3

It Don’t Mean a Thing: Swingin’ Uptown Classics with Byron Stripling

November 8, 9 & 10

Clap your hands, say yeah!

The Great American Music Adventure

November 9

Michael Tilson Thomas Conducts Beethoven 9

November 14

Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert

November 16 & 17

Bach, Mozart & Brahms

November 23 & 24

Thanksgiving Weekend: Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto

November 29, 30 & December 1

Vienna Calling Festival: Passport to Vienna

December 1

Swingin’ Christmas with Houston Jazz Orchestra

December 3

A Viennese Waltz Christmas

December 7 & 8

Yo-Yo Ma in Concert

December 9

Very Merry Pops

December 12, 14 & 15

Holly Jolly Holiday

December 14

Handel's Messiah

December 20, 21 & 22

Joyful Fanfares: Holiday Brass Spectacular

December 22

Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez presents: Jose Hernandez’ Merry-Achi Christmas

December 23

Pink Martini with China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Season

January 3, 4 & 5

An Eschenbach & Bruckner

Birthday Celebration

January 11 & 12

Killer Mike & The Mighty Midnight Revival

January 16

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert

January 18 & 19

Beethoven’s Violin Concerto & Tchaikovsky

January 24, 25 & 26

Viva Italia! Opera Beyond Words

February 7 & 9

Duke Bluebeard’s Castle

February 15 & 16

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert

February 21 & 22

007: James Bond Forever

February 28, March 1 & 2

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Maestro

March 1

Hilary Hahn Plays Brahms

March 7, 8 & 9

Korngold’s Violin Concerto & Cinderella

March 14, 15 & 16

Fairytales Festival: Fairy Tale Fantasy

March 16

Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody & The Little Mermaid

March 21, 22 & 23

Showstoppers! Celebrating Iconic

Women of Broadway

April 4, 5 & 6

La Flor: The Music of Selena

April 12 & 13

Sibelius 5 & Stravinsky

April 18 & 19

Cirque Rocks!

April 25, 26 & 27

Cirque For Kids

April 26

Beethoven 7 & Mozart

May 1, 3 & 4

Trumpet Brilliance & Boléro

May 9, 10 & 11

Stayin’ Alive: The Bee Gees & Beyond

May 16, 17 & 18

Chamber Music: Musician Showcase

May 18

Bruce Liu Plays Chopin

May 23, 24 & 25

Juraj Valčuha Conducts Mahler 3

May 30, 31 & June 1

John Williams & Steven Spielberg: Movie Magic

June 6, 7 & 8

your symphony experience

JONES HALL

Since the opening of Jones Hall in 1966, millions of arts patrons have enjoyed countless musical and stage performances at the venue. Dominating an entire city block, Jones Hall features a stunning travertine marble facade, 66-foot ceilings, and a brilliantly lit grand entrance. Jones Hall is a monument to the memory of Jesse Holman Jones, a towering figure in Houston during the first half of the 20 th century.

CONCERT DISRUPTION

We strive to provide the best possible auditory experience of our world-class orchestra. Noise from phones, candy wrappers, and talking is distracting to the performers on stage and those around you. Please help us make everyone’s concert enjoyable by silencing electronic devices now and remaining quiet during the performance.

FOOD & DRINK POLICY

The Encore Café and in-hall bars are open for Symphony performances, and food and drink will be permitted in bar areas. Food is not permitted inside the auditorium. Patrons may bring drinks into the auditorium for Bank of America POPS Series concerts and Symphony Specials. Drinks are not permitted inside the auditorium for Classical concerts.

LOST & FOUND

For lost and found inquiries, please contact Patron Experience Coordinator Lien Le during the performance. She also can be reached at lien.le@houstonsymphony.org. You may contact Houston First after the performances at 832.487.7050

ETIQUETTE

For Classical concerts, if a work has several movements it is traditional to hold applause until the end of the last movement. If you are unsure when a piece ends, check the program or wait for the conductor to face the audience. If you feel truly inspired, however, do not be afraid to applaud!

CHILDREN

Children ages six and up are welcome to all Classical, Bank of America POPS, and Symphony Special concerts. Children of all ages are welcome at PNC Family Series performances. Children must have a ticket for all ticketed events.

LATE SEATING

Each performance typically allows for late seating, which is scheduled in intervals and determined by the conductor. Our ushers and Patron Experience Coordinator will instruct you on when late seating is allowed.

TICKETS

Subscribers of five or more concerts may exchange their tickets at no cost. Tickets to Symphony Specials or single ticket purchases are ineligible for exchange or refund. If you are unable to make a performance, your ticket may be donated prior to the concert for a tax-donation receipt. Donations and exchanges may be made in person, over the phone, or online.

THANK YOU to our sponsors

ESCANEE AQUÍ PARA VER TRADUCCIÓN AL ESPAÑOL

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Juraj valČuha

Houston Symphony Music Director Juraj Valčuha is recognized for his effortless expressiveness and depth of musicianship. With sharp baton technique and natural stage presence, the impressive ease of his interpretations translate even the most complex scores into immersive experiences.

Before joining the Houston Symphony in June 2022, Juraj was Music Director of the Teatro di San Carlo, Naples, from 2016 to 2022 and first guest conductor of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin. He was Chief Conductor of the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI from 2009 to 2016.

The 2005–06 Season marked the start of his international career on the podium of the Orchestre National de France followed by remarkable debuts in the United Kingdom with the Philharmonia London, in Germany with the Munich Philharmonic, in the United States with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and in Italy with Puccini's La bohème in Bologna.

He has since led the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Dresden Staatskapelle, Munich Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Swedish Radio Symphony, Amsterdam Royal Concertgebouw, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Maggio Musicale in Florence, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

Music Director

Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

Rome, Milan’s Filarmonica della Scala, Montréal Symphony, and the NHK and Yomiuri orchestras in Tokyo.

He enjoys regular collaborations with the Minnesota Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and San Francisco Symphony. International touring with the Orchestra Sinfonica della RAI took them to the Musikverein in Vienna and Philharmonie in Berlin, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Zurich, Munich, to the Enesco Festival in Bucharest, and the Abu Dhabi Classics. With the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, he visited Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn to mark the 100 th anniversary of the Baltic nations.

In Europe, he is acclaimed on the podium of the Munich Philharmonic, the NDR Hamburg and Frankfurt Radio orchestras, as well as the Vienna Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, Orchestre National de France, Orchestre de Paris, BBC Symphony and Philharmonia London, and the Swedish Radio Orchestra.

Juraj champions the compositions of living composers and aims to program contemporary pieces in most of his concerts. He has conducted world premieres, including Christopher Rouse’s Supplica with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Steven Mackey’s violin concerto with Leila Josefowicz and the BBC

Symphony in Manchester, and Nico Muhly’s Bright Idea with the Houston Symphony. In 2005, he conducted, in the presence of the composer, Steve Reich’s Four Seasons at the Melos-Ethos Festival in Bratislava. Other composers he has supported and continues to follow with interest are Bryce Dessner, Steven Stucky, Andrew Norman, James MacMillan, Luca Francesconi, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Anna Clyne, Julia Wolfe, and Jessie Montgomery, among others.

Including his engagements in Houston, the 2023–24 Season took him to the Pittsburgh and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, San Francisco Symphony, and Minnesota Orchestra as well as to the Yomiuri Nippon Orchestra in Tokyo. On the European stage, he performed La fanciulla del West and Tristan und Isolde at the Bavarian State Opera and at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, and Jenůfa at the Opera di Roma. He led concerts with the RAI Orchestra, the Orchestra dell'Accademia di Santa Cecilia, the Orchestre National de France, the NDR, SWR, and the Bamberg Symphony, among others.

In the 2024–2025 Season, Juraj will join the Semperoper in Dresden with Strauss’s Salome as well as the Paris Opéra Bastille with Janáček's The Cunning Little Vixen and the Deutsche Oper Berlin with Tchaikovsky’s Pique Dame. In the coming months, in addition to his concerts with the Houston Symphony, he will return to the Munich Philharmonic, the Orchestre National de France, the London Philharmonic, the Berlin Konzerthaus Orchester, the San Francisco Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Yomiuri Nippon Orchestra in Tokyo.

Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, Juraj studied composition and conducting in his birthplace, then at the conservatory in St. Petersburg (with Ilya Musin), and finally, at the Conservatoire Supérieur de la Musique in Paris.

ORCHESTRA ROSTER

Juraj Valčuha

Music Director

Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

FIRST VIOLIN

Yoonshin Song, Concertmaster

Max Levine Chair

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Ellen E. Kelley Chair

Boson Mo, Assistant Concertmaster

Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster Fondren Foundation Chair

Marina Brubaker

Tong Yan

MiHee Chung

Sophia Silivos

Rodica Gonzalez

Ferenc Illenyi

Si-Yang Lao

Kurt Johnson*

Christopher Neal

Sergei Galperin

Timothy Peters+

SECOND VIOLIN

MuChen Hsieh*, Principal

Vacant, Associate Principal

Amy Semes

Annie Kuan-Yu Chen

Mihaela Frusina

Jing Zheng

Tianjie Lu

Anastasia Ehrlich

Tina Zhang*

Yankı Karataş

Hannah Duncan

Alexandros Sakarellos

Samuel Park+

Teresa Wang+

VIOLA

Joan DerHovsepian, Principal

Wei Jiang, Acting Associate Principal

Sheldon Person

Fay Shapiro

Keoni Bolding

Samuel Pedersen

Paul Aguilar

James Cunningham

Suzanne LeFevre+

Yvonne Smith+

CELLO

Brinton Averil Smith, Principal

Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Chair

Christopher French, Associate Principal

Jane and Robert Cizik Chair

Anthony Kitai

Louis-Marie Fardet

Jeffrey Butler

COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED MUSICIAN

Lindsey Baggett, Violin

ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS

Ali Verderber

Hae-a Lee

Steven Reineke, Principal POPS Conductor

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Conductor Laureate

Gonzalo Farias, Associate Conductor

Maki Kubota

Xiao Wong

Charles Seo

Jeremy Kreutz

DOUBLE BASS

Robin Kesselman, Principal

Timothy Dilenschneider, Associate Principal

Eric Larson

Andrew Pedersen

Burke Shaw

Donald Howey

Avery Weeks

Michael Zogaib+

FLUTE

Aralee Dorough, Principal

General Maurice Hirsch Chair

Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal

Judy Dines

Kathryn Ladner

PICCOLO

Kathryn Ladner

OBOE

Jonathan Fischer, Principal

Lucy Binyon Stude Chair

Anne Leek, Associate Principal

Colin Gatwood

Adam Dinitz

ENGLISH HORN

Adam Dinitz

Barbara and Pat McCelvey Chair

CLARINET

Mark Nuccio, Principal

Bobbie Nau Chair

Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal

Christian Schubert

Alexander Potiomkin

E-FLAT CLARINET

Thomas LeGrand

BASS CLARINET

Alexander Potiomkin

BASSOON

Rian Craypo, Principal

Isaac Schultz, Associate Principal

Elise Wagner

Adam Trussell

STAGE PERSONNEL

Stefan Stout, Stage Manager

José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager

Nicholas DiFonzo, Head Video Engineer

Justin Herriford, Head Audio Engineer

Connor Morrow, Head Stage Technician

Giancarlo Minotti, Audio Production Manager

CONTRABASSOON

Adam Trussell

HORN

William VerMeulen, Principal

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan

Endowed Chair

Robert Johnson, Associate Principal

Nathan Cloeter, Assistant Principal/Utility

Brian Thomas

Brian Mangrum

Ian Mayton

Barbara J. Burger Chair

TRUMPET

Mark Hughes, Principal

George P. and Cynthia Woods

Mitchell Chair

John Parker, Associate Principal

Robert Walp, Assistant Principal

Richard Harris

TROMBONE

Nick Platoff, Principal

Bradley White, Associate Principal

Phillip Freeman

BASS TROMBONE

Phillip Freeman

TUBA

Dave Kirk, Principal

TIMPANI

Leonardo Soto, Principal

Matthew Strauss, Associate Principal

PERCUSSION

Brian Del Signore, Principal

Mark Griffith

Matthew Strauss

HARP

Allegra Lilly, Principal

KEYBOARD

Scott Holshouser, Principal

LIBRARIAN

Luke Bryson, Principal

*on leave + contracted substitute

SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Barbara J. Burger President

Janet F. Clark Chair

John Rydman Immediate Past President

Mike S. Stude Chair Emeritus

Paul Morico General Counsel

Barbara McCelvey Secretary

Elizabeth Condic^ Interim Executive Director/CEO

Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

Jonathan Ayre Chair, Finance

Brad W. Corson Chair, Governance & Leadership

Carey Kirkpatrick Chair, Marketing & Communications

Evan B. Glick Chair, Popular Programming

Barbara McCelvey Chair, Development

Sippi Khurana, M.D. Chair, Education & Community Partnerships

GOVERNING DIRECTORS

Jonathan Ayre

Gary Beauchamp

Eric Brueggeman

Bill Bullock

Barbara J. Burger

Mary Kathryn Campion, Ph.D.

John Cassidy, M.D.

Janet F. Clark

Lidiya Gold

Claudio Gutiérrez

Rick Jaramillo

David J. M. Key

Sippi Khurana, M.D.

Carey Kirkpatrick

Mary Lynn Marks Chair, Volunteers & Special Events

Robert Orr Chair, Strategic Planning

John Rydman Chair, Artistic & Orchestra Affairs

Jesse B. Tutor Chair, Audit

Steven P. Mach ^ Immediate Past Chair

Bobby Tudor^ At-Large Member

Heidi Rockecharlie^ President, Houston Symphony League

James H. Lee^

President, Houston Symphony Endowment

Juraj Valčuha^ Music Director, Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

Rian Craypo^ Musician Representative

Joan DerHovsepian^ Musician Representative

Mark Hughes^ Musician Representative

Mark Nuccio^ Musician Representative

Sherry Rodriguez^ Assistant Secretary ^Ex-Officio

Cindy Levit

Isabel Stude Lummis

Cora Sue Mach **

Rodney Margolis**

Mary Lynn Marks

Elissa Martin

Barbara McCelvey

Paul R. Morico

Leslie Nossaman

Robert Orr

Chris Powers

John Rydman**

Brittany Sakowitz

Ed Schneider

Justin Stenberg

William J. Toomey II

Bobby Tudor **

Betty Tutor **

Jesse B. Tutor **

Gretchen Watkins

Robert Weiner

Margaret Alkek Williams **

EX-OFFICIO

Elizabeth Condic

Brad W. Corson

Rian Craypo

Joan DerHovsepian

Evan B. Glick

Mark Hughes

James H. Lee

Steven P. Mach

Mark Nuccio

Heidi Rockecharlie

Sherry Rodriguez

Juraj Valčuha

TRUSTEES

David J. Beck

James M. Bell Jr.

Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl

Nancy Shelton Bratic

Terry Ann Brown**

Lindsay Buchanan

Ralph Burch

Dougal Cameron

John T. Cater**

Robert Chanon

Heaven Chee

Michael H. Clark

Virginia Clark

Brad W. Corson

Andrew Davis, Ph.D.

Denise Davis

Manuel Delgado

Allen Deutsch, M.D.

Tracy Dieterich

Joan Duff

Connie Dyer

Jeffrey B. Firestone

Eugene A. Fong

Aggie L. Foster

Julia Anderson Frankel

Ronald G. Franklin

Carolyn Gaidos

Evan B. Glick

Andrew Gould

Lori Harrington

Jeff Hiller

Grace Ho

Gary L. Hollingsworth

Brian James

Dawn James

Matthew Kades

I. Ray Kirk, M.D.

David Krieger

Kenny Kurtzman

Matthew Loden

Steven P. Mach

Michael Mann, M.D.

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.

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY LEAGUE

Miss Ima Hogg

Mrs. John F. Grant

Mrs. J. R. Parten

Mrs. Andrew E. Rutter

Mrs. Aubrey Leno Carter

Mrs. Stuart Sherar

Mrs. Julian Barrows

Ms. Hazel Ledbetter

Mrs. Albert P. Jones

Mrs. Ben A. Calhoun

Mrs. James Griffith Lawhon

Mrs. Olaf LaCour Olsen

Mrs. Ralph Ellis Gunn

Mrs. Leon Jaworski

Mrs. Garrett R. Tucker Jr.

Mrs. M. T. Launius Jr.

Mrs. Thompson McCleary

Mrs. Theodore W. Cooper

Mrs. Allen W. Carruth

Mrs. David Hannah Jr.

Mary Louis Kister

Mrs. Edward W. Kelley Jr.

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.

Nancy Martin

Jack Matzer

Jackie Wolens Mazow

Alexander K. McLanahan**

Marilyn Miles*

Aprill Nelson

Tim Ong

Edward Osterberg Jr.

Zeljko Pavlovic

Gloria G. Pryzant

Miwa Sakashita

Ted Sarosdy

Andrew Schwaitzberg

Helen Shaffer**

Becky Shaw

Ryan Silverman

Robert B. Sloan, D.D., Theol.

Jim R. Smith

Miles O. Smith**

Quentin Smith

Anthony Speier

Robert M. Hermance

Gene McDavid

Janice H. Barrow

Barry C. Burkholder

Rodney H. Margolis

Jeffrey B. Early

Michael E. Shannon

Ed Wulfe

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 Jansen

Nancy B. Willerson

FOUNDATION FOR JONES HALL REPRESENTATIVES

Dougal A. Cameron Janet F. Clark

Barbara McCelvey

Tina Raham Stewart

Mike S. Stude **

Nanako Tingleaf

Shirley W. Toomim

Margaret Waisman, M.D.

Fredric A. Weber

Vicki West

Steven J. Williams

David J. Wuthrich

Ellen A. Yarrell

Robert Yekovich

EX-OFFICIO

John Steven Cisneros, Ed.D.

Juan Zane Crawford, Ph.D.

Kirby Lodholz

Frank F. Wilson IV

**Lifetime Trustee

*Deceased

Jesse B. Tutor

Robert B. Tudor III

Robert A. Peiser

Steven P. Mach

Janet F. Clark

John Rydman

Jane Clark

Nancy Littlejohn

Donna Shen

Dr. Susan Snider Osterberg

Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein

Vicki West

Mrs. Jesse Tutor

Darlene Clark

Beth Wolff

Maureen Higdon

Fran Fawcett Peterson

Leslie Siller

Cheryl Byington

Mary Fusillo

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

LEADERSHIP GROUP

Elizabeth S. Condic, Interim Executive Director/CEO

Margaret Alkek Williams Chair and Chief Financial Officer

Allison Conlan, Director, Education and Community Engagement

Timothy Dillow, Senior Director, Development

Vicky Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer

Alex Soares, Senior Director, Marketing

Christine Ann Stevens, Senior Director, Development

DEVELOPMENT

Sarah Bhalla, Development Officer

Lauren Buchanan, Development Communications Manager

Alex Canales, Senior Development Ticket Concierge

Jessie De Arman, Development Associate, Gifts and Records

Amanda T. Dinitz, Senior Major Gifts Officer

Vivian Gonzalez, Development Officer

Kamra Kilmer, Development Gift Officer

Kim Lyons, Development Officer

Karyn Mason, Development Officer

Hadia Mawlawi, Senior Associate, Endowment and Planned Giving

Meghan Miller, Special Events Associate

Mayenne Minuit, Development Associate, Administration

Emilie Moellmer, Annual Fund Manager

Megan Mottu, Development Officer

Janet Peck, Development Officer

Tim Richey, Director, Individual Giving

Sherry Rodriguez, Corporate Relations Manager & Board Liaison

Katie Salvatore, Major Gifts Officer

Marie Siegenthaler, Development Officer

Sacha Sikora, Development Officer

Lena Streetman, Manager, Research and Development Operations

Stacey Swift, Director, Special Events

Sarah Thompson, Donor Stewardship Manager

Christina Trunzo, Director, Foundation Relations

Alexa Ustaszewski, Major Gifts Officer

EDUCATION | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Cindy Ahn, Community-Embedded Musician–Teaching Artist

Olivia Allred, Education Manager

Julissa Chapa, Community-Embedded Musician–Education Specialist

Lucinda Chiu, Community-Embedded Musician–Teaching Artist

David Connor, Community-Embedded Musician–Teaching Artist

Austin Hinkle, Education Coordinator

Rainel Joubert, Community-Embedded Musician–Teaching Artist

Alexis Mitrushi, Community-Embedded Musician–Teaching Artist

Jazmine Olwalia, Community Engagement Associate

Sheridan Richard, DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony Site Manager

FINANCE

| ADMINISTRATION | IT | HR

José Arriaga, Systems Engineer

Henry Cantu, Finance Accountant

Kimberly Cegielski, Staff Accountant

Joel James, Director of Human Resources

Tanya Lovetro, Director of Budgeting and Financial Reporting

Jane Orosco, Database Administrator

Freddie Piegsa, Help Desk Technician

Morgana Rickard, Controller

Gabriela Rivera, Senior Accountant

Pam Romo, Office Manager/HR Coordinator

Lee Whatley, Senior Director, IT and Analytics

MARKETING | COMMUNICATIONS

Bryan Ayllon, Web Coordinator

Mark Bailes, Marketing Revenue Manager

Olivia Cantrell, Content Marketing Coordinator

Bella Cutaia, Patron Services Senior Representative

Heather Fails, Manager, Ticketing Database

Ruben Gandara, Patron Services Representative

Kathryn Judd, Director, Marketing

Priya Kurup, Senior Associate, Group Sales

Caroline Lawson, Patron Services Representative

Lien Le, Patron Experience Coordinator

Yoo-Ell Lee, Graphics and Media Designer

Ciara Macaulay, Creative Director

Ashley Martinez, Patron Services Representative

Mariah Martinez, Email Marketing Coordinator

Aracely Quevedo, Patron Services Representative

Eric Skelly, Senior Director, Communications

Christian Sosa, Web Experience Director

Jonathan Townsend, Patron Services Representative

Ashlan Walker, Manager, Patron Services

Jenny Zuniga, Director, Patron Services

OPERATIONS | ARTISTIC

Stephanie Alla, Associate Director of Artistic Planning

Becky Brown, Associate Director, Orchestra Personnel

Suré Eloff, Chorus Manager

Michael Gorman, Director, Orchestra Personnel

Julia Hall, Interim Director, Chorus

Adrian Hernandez, Concert Media Production Manager

Hae-a Lee, Assistant Librarian

Giancarlo Minotti, Audio Production Manager

Lauren Moore, Associate Director of Concert Operations

José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager

Brad Sayles, Senior Recording Engineer

Claudia Schmitz, Artistic Coordinator and Assistant to the Music Director

Stefan Stout, Stage Manager

Nathan Trinkl, Artistic Assistant

Ali Verderber, Assistant Librarian

Meredith Williams, Associate Director of Concert Operations

Rebecca Zabinski, Senior Director, Artistic Planning

2024–25 Harry and Cora Sue Mach

Student Concert Series

The school year is well underway in the Greater Houston area and with it comes the 2024–25 Harry and Cora Sue Mach Student Concert Series. The Houston Symphony’s beloved concert series, curated and led by Associate Conductor Gonzalo Farias, provides low-cost full orchestra concerts for upper elementary and middle school students at Jones Hall and other Houston venues during the school day. This season, the Symphony plans to perform 17 concerts and serve an anticipated 40,000 students.

The Upper Elementary Student Concerts at Jones Hall kicked off on October 29 with a 50-minute concert designed to introduce 4th and 5th grade students to the components of an orchestra and how they work together. This season’s upper elementary program explores the concept of "musical opposites” and gives students the opportunity to identify differences in dynamics and articulation. The Middle School Student Concerts, presented by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, are centered around the themes of teamwork, how the different sections of the orchestra support each other, and identifying contrasting layers in music. Since the Middle School Concerts are designed for students who participate in their school’s orchestra or band programs, the aim of this concert is to help them identify how their instrument and part within a piece of music can support the others in their ensembles.

This season also saw the return of the pre- and postconcert classroom visits. This year, our CommunityEmbedded Musician Lindsey Baggett will be joined by two musicians from the orchestra for these classroom visits at select middle schools. These visits enhance the students’ experience by allowing them to get a deeper understanding of music that is featured in the concert and have conversations with the musicians

about their experiences. “Our experiences with the [CEM] brought it more on a personal level,” said Stovall Middle School Assistant Band Director Erwin Vreugdenihil about last season’s pre- and post-concert visits. “It showed the students that, yes, these are amazing musicians, but they’re also great human beings and they just love doing what they do.”

You may have also noticed that the concerts have a new name this year—the 2024–25 Harry and Cora Sue Mach Student Concert Series. This is in recognition of of Cora Sue Mach and her late husband of 58 years, Harry Mach, for their longstanding support of the Symphony, particularly the educational programs. Over the years, Cora Sue has contributed both her time and treasure to the Symphony, including serving as former Chair of the Education Committee on the Board, President of the League, and chair of several special events that benefit our Education and Community Engagement initiatives.We thank Cora Sue and Harry for their steadfast dedication to Houston students and the Symphony.

Enhancing the lives of Houston students by providing direct access to our orchestra and improving access to quality music education is integral to the Symphony’s mission. Last season, we served more than 167,000 Houstonians through our music education programs, free/low-cost concerts, hospital or senior center visits, and more. These initiatives are only possible thanks to the generosity of supporters like you. To support our Education and Community Engagement initiatives, scan the QR code below. — Lauren Buchanan

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

Harry and Cora Sue Mach

Ruth and Ted Bauer Family Foundation

George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation

Scan here to support the 2024–25 Harry and Cora Sue Mach Student Concert Series:

Students enjoy an Upper Elementary Student Concert at Jones Hall.

IN HARMONY

Empowering Communities Through Music

For the past two seasons, the Houston Symphony’s DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony program has been a resounding success, offering free and comprehensive violin lessons to children, in grades three through five, from the 5th Ward neighborhood while fostering a creative, safe community for them to express themselves. In partnership with DeLUXE Theater, the 5th Ward Cultural Arts District, and AFA (American Festival for the Arts)—Houston's largest independent non-profit provider of music education—DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony continues this season with weekly afterschool lessons and monthly performances,

including lobby performances at Symphony PNC Family Concerts. This season, however, the Symphony and AFA are building on our success and expanding the In Harmony program to two new Houston neighborhoods—Gulfton and Second Ward.

The In Harmony program is a community-based afterschool program led by the Houston Symphony in partnership with AFA and local community organizations that provides access to free music education for children in under-resourced communities. Each of our In Harmony programs are tailored to address the communities they serve with an emphasis on culturally relevant musical content that allows children to celebrate and share their cultural traditions. Whereas the goal of the DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony program was to fill the gap in music education and build a musical community, these new programs have been created to supplement neighborhoods that already have a strong sense of community and an interest in the arts.

The En Armonĩa Violin Discovery Series was developed in partnership with the Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus (SBCC) to serve children ages seven to nine in Houston’s Historic Second Ward, or “Segundo Barrio.” This eight-week pilot program is designed to introduce children to the violin through twice-weekly group lessons. These lessons supplement the choral program of our partners, SBBC—Houston’s first and only bilingual children’s choir. SBBC provides free music and vocal instruction for children in Second Ward and engages more than 100 families in the area while celebrating their culture, language, and traditions. The program began in

DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony students teaching one another during rehearsal.

Children in the Segundo Barrio Children's Chorus

October and will conclude in December with a performance at the SBCC Winter Concert on December 21.

The second addition to the In Harmony program is the Houston reVision In Harmony Music Series in Gulfton. Gulfton is the most densely populated area in Texas and is home to the highest number of refugees and immigrants compared to other communities in the United States. Our program partner, Houston reVision, is a non-profit organization that seeks to help at-risk youth in Gulton by connecting them with mentors, positive peers, life-changing resources, and opportunities for artistic expression. Instead of instrument instruction, this In Harmony pilot program is an eight-week music appreciation workshop series for students, grades six through eight, that focuses on developing music literacy skills and fostering an interest in diverse musical genres. These are integrated into the existing community at this organization as one of the several afterschool programs offered at Houston reVision. The workshop series culminates in an opportunity for the students to attend a Houston Symphony concert at Jones Hall so they can experience the concepts they learned in their classes firsthand.

Through the In Harmony program, we aim not only to teach students how to play instruments and appreciate music, but also develop essential life skills, such as discipline, teamwork, self-confidence, and perseverance. These skills will serve them well in all areas of their lives, helping them to succeed academically and personally. The Symphony is grateful for the support of our community partners and donors

who make the In Harmony program possible. If you would like to support the In Harmony program or any of our Education and Community Engagement initiatives, scan the QR code below. —Lauren Buchanan

Scan here to support In Harmony and the Symphony’s other Education and Community Engagement initiatives:

Program Guarantor: Dr. Sippi and Mr. Ajay Khurana

Houston reVision students play a community building game during practice.

Featured Program

Hansel And gretel & Don quixote

*Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor

Joan DerHovsepian, viola

Brinton Averil Smith, cello

0:14 WAGNER/HOFFMANN – Overture to Tannhäuser

0:26 HUMPERDINCK/ABAD – Selections from Hänsel und Gretel

1. Vorspiel (Prelude)

3. Hexenritt (The Witch's Ride)

4. Im Walde (In the Forest)

7. Knusperwalzer und Pantomime (The Witch's Waltz and Pantomime)

INTERMISSION

0:40 R. STRAUSS – Don Quixote, Opus 35

*Houston Symphony debut

AND PAT MCCELVEY

Friday, November 1

Saturday, November 2

Sunday, November 3

Jones Hall

Jones Hall & Livestream

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

About the Music Program Insight

Barbara and Pat McCelvey Grand Guarantor

Livestream of this program is made possible by donors to our Livestream and Recording Studio Consortium listed on page 77

Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation through a special gift celebrating the Foundation’s 50 th anniversary in 2015

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

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Jones Hall 2:00 p.m.

The spirit of Halloween is still in the air and the holidays are drawing near, and the Houston Symphony is meeting the occasion with a program filled with fantastical sounds. You’ll meet Tannhäuser, a passionate German singer torn between heavenly service and earthly pleasures. You’ll encounter Don Quixote, the unhinged yet heroic Spanish knight who tilts at windmills to right the world’s wrongs. And you won’t soon forget the wicked Witch who threatens to gobble up the youthful heroes of Hänsel und Gretel!

But this concert isn’t only a treat for your imagination; it’s also a substantial feast for your ears. Each work you’ll hear was painstakingly crafted by a composer whose ability to evoke character, setting, and mood using the modern orchestra of his day was second to none. Just over half a century separates Richard Wagner’s Overture to Tannhäuser (1845), from Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera Hänsel und Gretel (1892) and Richard Strauss’s tone poem Don Quixote (1897).

You couldn’t wish for a better guide to these worlds of mystery, mischief, and passion than the celebrated Scottish conductor Sir Donald Runnicles. Closely involved with the German lyric stage for much of his distinguished career, Runnicles started his career as a coach and conductor in Mannheim, followed by a term as general music director of the city of Freiburg. Today, he is among the world’s most highly regarded conductors of Wagner and Strauss, and has championed Hänsel und Gretel to wide renown on record and onstage.

We also take pride each season in turning the spotlight on the extraordinary instrumentalists of the Houston Symphony, enabling them to showcase different sides of their artistry. In this program we feature Principal Cellist Brinton Averil Smith as Strauss’s Don Quixote and Principal Violist Joan DerHovsepian as the crusading knight’s faithful squire, Sancho Panza. Our players will prove ideal companions to join Sir Donald on this fantastic musical journey. —Steve Smith

Program Notes

WAGNER/HOFFMANN

Overture to Tannhäuser (1845)

Despite being a part of the operatic canon worldwide for generations now, Tannhäuser, the fifth opera completed by German composer Richard Wagner, was among his more challenging works to complete. He revised the work substantially multiple times, resulting in what are referred to as the opera’s “Dresden” and “Paris” versions. The first reflects the work’s 1845 premiere at the Königliches Hoftheater Dresden. The second includes a ballet scene mandatory for a Paris Opéra engagement in 1861. (The more familiar “Dresden” overture is featured on this program.)

Wagner revised Tannhäuser further still for an 1875 engagement in Vienna, and remained dissatisfied with the opera to the end of his life.

In January 1883, three weeks before he died, his wife, Cosima Wagner, wrote in her diary, “He says he still owes the world Tannhäuser.”

What was it that had driven Wagner’s crusade? Clearly he found something compelling in the conflict between passions of the spirit and longings of the flesh, which he illustrated with a conflation of two medieval myths: one concerning the crusading knight Tannhäuser, and another about the song contest among minstrels at Wartburg Castle.

The opera’s essential story comes down to a conflict between sacred and profane loves: a recurring theme for Wagner. Tannhäuser, a German minnesinger—a medieval poet-musician—has just returned to the mortal realm from the underground grotto of Venus, goddess of love. He encounters old acquaintances among a group of knights, one of whom reminds him that his singing once won the love of Elisabeth, niece of the region’s ruler. Tannhäuser agrees to accompany the group and compete in a singing tournament.

Elisabeth rejoices at Tannhäuser’s return. But while the other knights sing hymns to pure love, Tannhäuser instead extols sensuous pleasures. Offended, the ruler demands that Tannhäuser seek forgiveness from the Pope—a forgiveness denied until first Elisabeth dies of grief, and then Tannhäuser follows in remorse.

The opera’s overture, which Wagner completed last, illustrates the opera’s passions and conflicts. The music begins with the hymnlike “Pilgrims’ Chorus” from Act 3—a solemn melody that nevertheless will remind some listeners of a lovestruck Elmer Fudd crooning with a disguised and bewigged Bugs Bunny in the 1953 Merrie Melodies short “What's Opera, Doc?”

That music swells to a climax, then gives way to the scampering music of Venus’s amorous realm, then to the rapturous hymn Tannhäuser sings to the goddess. A solo clarinet conveys Venus’s invitation to the enchanted hero: “Come, beloved, see yonder grotto filled with rosy fragrance gently wafting.” Tannhäuser’s hymn returns, as if to seal the besotted hero’s fate. All told, the overture is an ingenious distillation of the opera’s contrasting themes. However trouble the opera may have been, this introduction demonstrates, powerfully and concisely, Wagner’s knack for evoking characters, places, and situations with economy and precision.

—Steve Smith

Program Notes

HUMPERDINCK/ABAD

Selections from Hänsel und Gretel (1893)

Not to be mistaken for the world-famous British crooner who borrowed his name in 1965 at the start of a successful bid for global stardom, German composer Engelbert Humperdinck rubbed shoulders with many greats of the 19th and 20th centuries. He studied music with some of the most prestigious composers of his day, and later befriended Richard Wagner, assisting him at Bayreuth and tutoring his son, Siegfried. He also formed a close bond with Richard Strauss.

An artist of distinction in his day, Humperdinck is chiefly remembered now for a single work: his 1893 opera, Hänsel und Gretel. His fairy tale opera began modestly as a set of four songs with texts provided by his sister, Adelheid Wette. In 1890, he completed a 16-song singspiel with piano accompaniment, and gave the score to his fiancée as a Christmas gift. At last envisioning an opera, Humperdinck worked on the full score from January 1892 to September 1893.

The premiere, conducted by Strauss, was on December 23, 1893, in Weimar. Proximity to Christmas—together with the opera’s emphasis on childhood, family, and fantasy—permanently associated the opera with the holiday season. Success was immediate, with Gustav Mahler conducting the Hamburg premiere in 1894 and many major engagements following. London’s Royal Opera House chose Hänsel und Gretel for its first complete opera radio broadcast in 1923, and New York’s Metropolitan Opera followed suit on Christmas Day in 1931. Loosely based on the fairy tale recounted by the Brothers Grimm, Hänsel und Gretel tells the story of two hungry but playful and plucky children sent out into the forest by their mother to gather berries for dinner. Encountering a fantastical house made of confectionery, the children are trapped by a witch, who intends to cook and eat them. Instead, they turn the tables on the scheming sorceress, pushing her into her own oven and restoring her past victims to life.

Despite the fanciful subject matter, Humperdinck endowed Hänsel und Gretel with extraordinary craft and arresting beauty befitting an acolyte of Wagner and Hugo Wolf. The folklike “Evening Prayer” from Act 2—sung by a light soprano as Gretel and a hardier mezzo-soprano as Hansel, is among the most beautiful selections in German Romantic opera. That splendid music opens the opera’s Prelude—and thus the crafty suite Omar Abad fashioned in 2011—followed by “Rallalala,” a jolly number sung by the children’s father.

Next is “The Witch’s Ride” from the end of Act 1, an eerie selection foreshadowing the Witch who will appear later in the opera—and a roiling, rollicking number that shows why Hänsel und Gretel makes for ideal Halloween fare, despite the opera’s historic ties to Christmas. After the childlike wonder of “In the Forest,” the aforementioned “Evening Prayer,” and the evocative “The Gingerbread House at the Ilsenstein,” the ill-fated Witch gets the last word—sort of—in “The Witch’s Waltz and Pantomime,” the grand ballroom strain that accompanies Hansel and Gretel as they brightly proclaim victory over their former captor.

—Steve Smith

Program Notes

R. STRAUSS

Don Quixote, Opus 35 (1897)

When German composer Richard Strauss first started work in 1897 on a new symphonic work inspired by Don Quixote, the extravagant, brilliant novel by the 17th-century Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, he was already a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. In six prior examples of what he termed tone poems—orchestral works that conveyed stories without words—Strauss had established his mastery of the orchestra as a palette for his ingenuity.

The two most recent examples, the comic Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (1895) and the philosophical Also sprach Zarathustra (1986), had especially highlighted the extraordinary refinement with which Strauss could illuminate characters, settings, situations, and moods, deploying instruments and combinations with uncanny precision. That knack would prove ideally suited to Cervantes’s saga of a hero moved by “too little sleep and too much reading of books on knighthood” to venture out in search of injustices to battle—an ostensibly comic lark whose antic episodes enfold profound observations about human nature.

In the title role, Strauss cast a solo cello: a robust, versatile instrument equally capable of jollity, agility, and piety, but not the first instrument that might come to mind as the embodiment of a crusading hero. Sancho Panza, Quixote’s noble, long-suffering squire, is given voice initially by bass clarinet and tenor tuba, and then firmly established in an instrument well accompanied to working alongside a cello: the viola. Although the work is not a full-blown concerto for either instrument, both are held in sufficient prominence to warrant citation of the players.

Identifying his work as “fantastic variations on a theme of knightly character for large orchestra,” Strauss composed structured Don Quixote as an introduction, 10 variations, and a coda, introducing his characters, their adventures, and the titular hero’s death. During the introduction, Strauss deploys muted instruments and meandering harmonies to evoke Quixote’s clouded state of mind. The cello’s pronouncement in the second section introduces our Knight of the Woeful Countenance, followed by his amiable squire in the third part. Thereafter commence the adventures. Variation 1, “Adventure at the Windmills,” Quixote tilts at an evil giant—a windmill that unhorses him in a lavish harp glissando and a resounding thump on the timpani. Variation 2 famously conjures his battle with the army of Emperor Alifanfaron, in reality a flock of bleating sheep evoked with flutter-tongued brass. The animated dialogue among our string protagonists in Variation 3 represents Quixote rebuking his sidekick for a lack of vision.

And on it goes, through episodes brusque, tender, and whimsical by turn. (Listen in particular for the whizzing wind machine in Variation VII, fantastically conjuring the heroic duo’s imaginary flight on hobby horses.)

After the martial 10th variation, in which Sanson Carrasco confronts Quixote in a last-ditch effort to restore his sanity, Don Quixote ends with the hero’s solemn death, evoked by Strauss with some of the noblest, most refulgent music he ever wrote. In the end, it is the composer— having enlisted his orchestra and tilted his pen in a quest to evoke the comedy, tragedy, and majesty of a novel considered among history’s finest—who emerges as the hero of the tale. —Steve Smith

Program Bios

Sir Donald Runnicles, conductor

Sir Donald Runnicles has built his reputation on enduring relationships with major symphonic and operatic institutions on three continents. He is the music director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and the Grand Teton Music Festival, and has held chief artistic leadership roles at the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Opera, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. He is also the principal guest conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and former principal guest conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Sir Donald was recently appointed as chief conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic, beginning with the 2025–26 Season.

Sir Donald’s 2024–25 Season begins with a 70 th birthday celebration concert at the Edinburgh International Festival conducting the BBC Scottish Symphony, after which he opens the Dresden Philharmonic’s season in his first concerts as chief conductor designate, returning two more times over the course of the season. At the Deutsche Oper, he concludes his

Strauss cycle in collaboration with director Tobias Kratzer with a new production of Die Frau ohne Schatten, alongside Arabella and Intermezzo, as well as revival performances of Zemlinsky’s Der Zwerg, Puccini’s La bohème, Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Verdi’s Don Carlo, and a symphony concert with the DOB as part of Musikfest Berlin. In North America, he makes guest appearances with the Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, and Pittsburgh symphony orchestras. He also returns twice to the Sydney Symphony.

His extensive discography includes recordings of Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde, Mozart’s Requiem, Orff’s Carmina burana, Britten’s Billy Budd, Humperdinck’s Hänsel and Gretel, Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Aribert Reimann’s L’invisible, Wagner arias with Jonas Kaufmann (2013 Gramophone prize winner for Best Vocal Recording), and Janáček's Jenůfa (nominated for a 2016 Grammy award for Best Opera Recording).

Sir Donald Runnicles was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was appointed OBE in 2004, and was made a Knight Bachelor in 2020. He holds honorary degrees from the University of Edinburgh, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. 

Joan DerHovsepian, viola

Joan DerHovsepian is the recently appointed principal viola of the HoustonSymphony. She first joined the viola section of the Symphony hired by Christoph Eschenbach, won the audition for associate principal viola in the fall of 2010 during the tenure of Hans Graf, and now serves as Principal with Music Director Juraj Valčuha since May 2023.

Joan has appeared as guest principal viola with the Chicago and Cincinnati symphonies and was formerly principal viola of the Charleston Symphony.

Recent solo performances with the Houston Symphony include Mozart Sinfonia Concertante with Concertmaster Yoonshin Song and Bruch Double Concerto with Principal Second Violin MuChen Hsieh.

Recent festival and chamber music performances include the Seattle Chamber Music Society, Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Grand Teton Music Festival, Mimir Chamber Music Festival (Ft. Worth, Texas and Melbourne, Australia), Peninsula Music Festival, New Canaan Chamber

Program Bios

Music, Fabbri Chamber Concerts, Music in Context, and Musica Tra Amici.

Joan is an artist teacher of viola at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, lecturing students in viola orchestral repertoire and independent study. She is regular guest faculty for the New World Symphony and National Orchestral Institute, and has given masterclasses for viola students of The Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory, and the University of Melbourne Conservatorium, among others. Joan was a featured artist-inresidence for the American Viola Society in 2023.

She was the violist of the awardwinning Everest Quartet, top prize winners at the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. Joan was the second prize recipient of the Primrose International Viola Competition. Her teachers have included James Dunham and Kim Kashkashian; and she has studied chamber music with Michael Tree, Joseph Silverstein, Eugene Lehner, Felix Galimir, and members of the Cleveland, Emerson, and Juilliard Quartets. 

Brinton Averil Smith, cello

Critics have hailed Houston Symphony Principal Cellist Brinton Averil Smith as a “virtuoso cellist with few equals.” Reviewing his internationally acclaimed debut recording of Miklós Rózsa’s Cello Concerto, Gramophone proclaimed him a “hugely eloquent, impassioned soloist,” and wrote of his most recent release, Exiles in Paradise, “Smith teems with old-school elegance.” Classics Today wrote of his live recording of Castelnuovo-Tedesco's Cello Concerto with the Houston Symphony, “Smith plays the living daylights out of it. His full tone, impeccable intonation, and fleet passage work lets the music soar,” while BBC Music Magazine declared, “his is a cast iron technique of verve and refinement put entirely at the service of the music. The artistry on display here is breathtaking...”

Brinton's engagements include performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and recital and concerto appearances throughout the United States. His broadcast performances include CBS's Sunday Morning and NPR’s Performance Today, while his live performances on YouTube have been viewed more than one million times. Brinton has collaborated

with cellists Yo-Yo Ma and Lynn Harrell; pianists Yefim Bronfman, Emanuel Ax, Jeffrey Kahane, and Kirill Gerstein; and violinists Gil Shaham and James Ehnes. He is a faculty member of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and the Aspen Music Festival. Prior to joining the Houston Symphony in 2005, he was a member of the New York Philharmonic and the principal cellist of the Fort Worth and San Diego symphonies.

The son of a mathematician and a pianist, Brinton was admitted to Arizona State University at age 10 and completed a B.A. in mathematics at age 17. While a cello student of Eleonore Schoenfeld at the University of Southern California, he completed work at age 19 for an M.A. in mathematics. He subsequently studied with the legendary cellist Zara Nelsova at The Juilliard School where he received a doctor of musical arts degree, writing on the playing of Emanuel Feuermann. Brinton lives in Houston with his wife, the pianist Evelyn Chen, and their enormous but benevolent dog. Their daughter, Calista, is a soprano studying at Northwestern University. His cello was made by Gaetano Pasta in Brescia, c.1710. Brinton holds the Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Chair 

It don't mean a thing:

swingin' uptown classics with byron stripling

Byron Stripling, conductor, trumpet, and vocalist

Carmen Bradford, vocalist

Leo Manzari, tap dancer and vocalist

0:05 ELLINGTON/J. TYZIK – “It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)”

0:04 MILLS/MACKREL-J. TYZIK – “St. James Infirmary”

0:03 AKST/J. TYZIK – “Dinah”

0:04 J. TYZIK – Harlem Street Scene

0:02 “A-Tisket, A-Tasket”

0:04 COSLOW – “Mr. Paganini”

0:04 GERSHWIN/RIDDLE – “Love Is Here To Stay”

0:02 RICH – “Smile, Darn Ya, Smile!”

0:06 J. TYZIK – “You Gotta Give Me That Rhythm”

INTERMISSION

0:05 HANDY/J. TYZIK – “Saint Louis Blues”

0:05 WILLIAMS/J. TYZIK – “Basin Street Blues”

0:04 CALLOWAY-MILLS-GASKILL/J. TYZIK –“Minnie the Moocher”

0:03 J. TYZIK – Swing, Swing, Swing

0:04 GERSHWIN/RIDDLE – “I Got Rhythm”

0:05 GERSHWIN/RIDDLE – “Someone To Watch Over Me”

0:03 KERN/RIDDLE – “I Won't Dance”

0:05 CANNON/J. TYZIK – “Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?”

About the Music

Friday, November 8

Saturday, November 9

Sunday, November 10

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Livestream of this program is made possible by donors to our Livestream and Recording Studio Consortium listed on page 77

Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation through a special gift celebrating the Foundation’s 50 th anniversary in 2015

Jones Hall

Jones Hall & Livestream

Jones Hall

Program Insight

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

Back in 1932, the great bandleader and pianist Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington recorded a tune of which the name would describe a revolution in American music. According to Ellington, “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” was the credo of one of the great trumpeters who passed through his fabled orchestra, plunger-mute specialist Bubber Miley. Irving Mills provided the lyrics, and Ivie Anderson lent her voice to the first of countless recordings.

Naturally, the song instantly became a standard, with famous recordings by The Mills Brothers, The Boswell Sisters, pianist Thelonious Monk, singer Ella Fitzgerald—and, naturally, the biggest jazz star of them all, trumpeter and singer Louis Armstrong. And for this Houston Symphony program, another great American musician will answer the call of Ellington’s Swing Era anthem: Byron Stripling, a renowned trumpet virtuoso, singer, conductor, and actor who cut his teeth playing lead trumpet in the iconic Count Basie Orchestra.

A popular guest with orchestras across the country, including the Houston Symphony, Byron is an ideal ambassador for bringing the sizzle and glamor of the Swing Era to the symphonic concert hall. For “It Don’t Mean a Thing: Swingin’ Uptown Classics,” he provides a view of Harlem in its glory days, when the Cotton Club and Savoy Ballroom were in full swing—no pun intended!—hosting now-legendary artists like Duke and Ella, charismatic bandleader and hep cat Cab Calloway, and superstar vocalist Ethel Waters.

Joining Byron and the Houston Symphony for this swingin’ trip uptown are two artists intimately familiar with the style. Born in Austin and raised in California, the award-winning singer Carmen Bradford is bona fide jazz royalty. Leo Manzari is a modern-day song-and-dance man, a skillful, stylish artist comfortable with everything from tap to rap. —Steve Smith

Program Bios

Byron Stripling, conductor, trumpet, and vocalist

With a contagious smile and captivating charm, conductor, trumpet virtuoso, singer, and actor Byron Stripling ignites audiences across the globe. He was named principal pops conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 2020 and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2024. He also serves as artistic director and conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Byron’s baton has led countless orchestras throughout the United States and Canada, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood and orchestras from San Diego to Sarasota.

Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, Byron has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with more than 100 orchestras around the world. As a soloist with the Boston Pops, he has frequently performed under the baton of Keith Lockhart, as well as being the featured soloist on the PBS television special, Evening at Pops, with conductors John Williams and Lockhart.

An accomplished actor and singer, Byron starred in the lead role of the Broadway-bound

musical, Satchmo; had a cameo performance in the television movie, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles; and performed in the 42nd Street production of From Second Avenue to Broadway

Television viewers have enjoyed his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of the Grammy Awards, commercials, and theme songs. In addition to multiple recordings with his quintet, work with artists from Tony Bennett to Whitney Houston, his prolific recording career includes hundreds of albums with the greatest pops, Broadway, soul, and jazz artists.

Byron earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra. He has also played and recorded with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Buck Clayton, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and the GRP All Star Big Band.

Educated at the Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy, one of his greatest joys is to return to both as a guest lecturer.

A resident of Ohio, Byron lives in the country with his wife, Alexis, a former dancer, writer, and poet, and their beautiful daughters. 

Carmen Bradford, vocalist

Carmen Bradford is jazz royalty, a 2024 Grammy Award winner for Basie Swings the Blues – The Count Basie Orchestra. The fivetime Grammy nominee is also the recipient of the Los Angeles Jazz Society's Jazz Vocalist Award. Her body of work reflects her experience, versatility, and technical brilliance in this uniquely American art form.

Born in Austin, Texas, and raised in Altadena, California, Carmen is the daughter of legendary cornetist and composer Bobby Bradford and world-renown jazz vocalist, composer, and author Melba Joyce, and granddaughter of Melvin Moore (who sang with Lucky Millender’s Big Band, Dizzy Gillespie's Big Band, and the Ink Spots).

Carmen was discovered by Count Basie when she was 22; she became the featured vocalist with his legendary orchestra for nine years and continues to perform with the Count Basie Orchestra. With the orchestra, her Grammy nominations include two in the 1980s and a third, Big Boss Band, with guitarist George Benson. (She and Benson performed “How Do You Keep the Music Playing," on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny

Program Bios

Carson.) The fourth is 2022’s Live at Birdland.

Carmen has performed and recorded with a diverse group of artists and orchestras. She teamed with singer/composer Kenny Rankin for the Benny Carter Songbook Project, performing with him "And All That Jazz."

In 1992, she released her debut album, Finally Yours (Evidence Records), to critical acclaim. Her second solo album, With Respect (Evidence) in 1995, established her as one of jazz music's most diverse and exciting vocal stylists.

Home with You (Azica Records), is a warm and beautiful collection of vocal and piano duets with jazz great Shelly Berg. The 2008 release of Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola: Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra featuring Carmen Bradford, returned Carmen to her big band roots. “When the Count Basie Orchestra calls me,” she says, “I go.”

Carmen was the voice on the 2016 album Imagination Nation, a

Corporate Spotlight

tribute to Nelson Mandela by South African trumpeter Darren English. This critically acclaimed album won the Pledge for Peace award from the Global Peace Song Awards and was named Best in Jazz. 

Leo Manzari, vocalist and tap dancer

Originally from Washington, D.C., Leo Manzari is a Lucille Lortel Award-nominated tap dancer, headlining in various productions, such as the touring and OffBroadway productions of Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life, featured guest artist on So You Think You Can Dance, Kennedy Center’s 50 th

Inaugural Celebration of JFK and Marvin Gaye, Dorrance Dance’s Nutcracker Suite, The Mo'nique Show, The Kate, TEDMED, PBS News Hour, The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, and ABC's The View. He was featured as a solo tap dancer in Hozier’s music video “Almost (Sweet Music)” and guest starred with Anderson .Paak’s band The Free Nationals for various virtual events.

Now residing in Los Angeles, California, Leo headlines alongside Byron Stripling and Grammynominated jazz vocalist, Carmen Bradford, collaborating with multiple POPS orchestras around the world, including the Houston Symphony, Winnipeg Orchestra, Florida Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and The Philly POPS. Other credentials include a recurring role in Season 6 of Showtime's Homeland, and lead writer and vocalist of his original music, which can be found at www.leomanzari.com. 

Founded in 1905, H-E-B began with a $60 investment as a small family grocery store in Kerrville, Texas. Since then, H-E-B has grown into one of the nation's largest independently owned food retailers with more than 430 stores and more than 160,000 Partners (employees) throughout Texas and Mexico. More than a retail company, H-E-B has a deep commitment to its customers and communities beyond its stores. Known as the H-E-B Spirit of Giving, its roots can be traced to the company’s earliest days. H-E-B demonstrates this deep commitment through non-profit support and public service involvement in the communities where it operates.

H-E-B is a proud supporter of the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives such as DeLUXE K!ds. From the classroom to the community, H-E-B gives $15 million annually to support educational initiatives across Texas.

Featured Program

Michael tilson thomas conducts beethoven 9

Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor

*Angel Blue, soprano

*Tamara Mumford, mezzo-soprano

*Stephen Costello, tenor

*Ryan McKinny, bass-baritone

Houston Symphony Chorus, Julia Hall, interim director

1:07 BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Opus 125 (Choral )

I. Allegro ma non troppo e un poco maestoso

II. Molto vivace

III. Adagio molto e cantabile—Andante moderato

IV. Presto—Allegro assai—Allegro assai vivace

*Houston Symphony debut

About the Music

Thursday, November 14

Program Note

BEETHOVEN

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Opus 125 (Choral ) (1822–1824)

Jones Hall

7:30 p.m.

Could any experience bring a stronger mix of pity and joy than the sight of the deaf Beethoven being gently turned toward the audience, to be made aware of its wild applause at the premiere of an epic symphony he created but could not hear?

Several eyewitnesses, including members of the orchestra, recalled that event at the first performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on May 7, 1824, at Vienna’s Kärntnertor Theater. By that point, the composer was profoundly deaf and, although he insisted upon standing next to the conductor, turning pages of his own score and beating time, the musicians were instructed to pay no attention to him. At one point, he fell so far behind the pace of the music that he was furiously turning pages and beating time to the second-movement Scherzo, well after the orchestra had begun the seraphic Adagio that forms the symphony’s third movement.

Anton Schindler, Beethoven’s loyal friend, helper, general secretary and first biographer, told a similar story of unexpectedly encountering the deaf composer working on the Ninth Symphony’s companion piece, the Missa Solemnis, five years earlier. “In one of the living rooms, behind closed doors,” Schindler wrote, “we heard the master singing, howling, and stamping his foot over the Credo fugue. We had listened for some time to the awful scene and were about to leave, when the door opened and Beethoven stood facing us with features so distorted as to fill one with alarm. He looked as though he had just survived a life-and-death battle with the whole host of contrapuntalists, his perpetual opponents.” These anecdotes make one realize how firmly the door to the world of actual musical sound had been closed upon Beethoven’s ears in the final years of his life. His music, sometimes Olympian, sometimes beatific, lived entirely within his mind. Unlike most composers, he could not test his musical ideas out at the keyboard, nor could he revise the music or its orchestration after the first performance. Later generations of musicians have commented upon certain technically impractical aspects of Beethoven’s late works, such as choral parts placed in terribly high voice registers in the finale of his Ninth Symphony. By and large, however, the work stands as a mighty testament to the keen accuracy of Beethoven’s interior hearing and the mastery he had achieved over his compositional craft.

Program Note

BEETHOVEN

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Opus 125 (Choral ) (1822–1824)

As a musical document, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is not so much a summation of everything that came before, as a great cannon blast that set a precedent echoing throughout the entire 19th century. Symphonic composers stood in awe of the work and attempted to duplicate Beethoven’s unique idea of using a choral finale, though few equaled its powerful thrust and huge scale. Two choral-orchestral symphonies by Berlioz, Mendelssohn’s Second Symphony (subtitled Song of Praise), Liszt’s Faust Symphony and at least three symphonies by Mahler all drew upon the choral example of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. And though they were purely instrumental works, the monumental symphonies of Anton Bruckner’s mature years may have found their inspiration in the huge scale of the Beethoven symphony.

Musical statements of such importance and immensity do not spring suddenly from a composer’s imagination. Alexander Thayer, who wrote the first comprehensive 19 th-century biography of Beethoven, indicated that the composer first considered setting to music Friedrich Schiller’s poem, the "Ode to Joy", in 1793, some 40 years before he included several verses of the poem in the closing movement of the Ninth Symphony. Modern scholar Maynard Solomon finds hints of philosophical or musical ideas for the Ninth Symphony even earlier, in two 1790 cantatas Beethoven composed marking the death of Austrian Emperor Joseph II and the coronation of his successor, Leopold II.

Beethoven’s Fantasia, Opus 80 for Solo Piano, Chorus and Orchestra, is a much more obvious preparatory study for the final choral movement of the Ninth Symphony. Composed in 1808, it is a curious blend of a piano concerto and a cantata, but it does contain a prototype of the famed melody that became the main theme of the "Ode to Joy" in the Ninth Symphony. The Seventh and Eighth symphonies, the Emperor Concerto, the final version of Beethoven’s opera, Fidelio, and various instrumental and/or keyboard sonatas were among the main works that intervened between the Fantasia and the Ninth Symphony.

Beethoven also went through several years of psychological turmoil because of a brief, failed love affair and his protracted legal dispute with his sister-in-law over custody of his nephew. It was not until 1817 that he accepted a commission from the London Philharmonic Orchestra and began sketches for two new symphonies, one of which became the Ninth Symphony. Work on it was put aside until he completed another huge choral/orchestral work, the Missa Solemnis, in 1821. But the years 1822–23 and the first two months of 1824 were given over to the Ninth Symphony, along with other major works. Three more months were spent arranging for its premiere.

In certain aspects, the Ninth Symphony builds upon achievements of Beethoven’s earlier symphonies, while exploring new vistas. Its orchestration, adding piccolo, contrabassoon, three trombones, and extra percussion to the standard 18th-century ensemble, is an outgrowth of the orchestral ensembles found in the Fifth and Sixth symphonies. Its huge Scherzo and Trio is prefigured in the scherzos from the Third through the Seventh symphonies. The long hesitant slow introduction to the first movement is a successor to the introductions of the Fourth and

Program Note

BEETHOVEN

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Opus

125 (Choral ) (1822–1824)

Seventh symphonies, but also to the rather significant introduction to Beethoven’s First Symphony.

The hollow, primordial character of the introduction to the Ninth Symphony heralds a new, larger and more significant architectural scale than that found in any previous Beethoven symphony. The sonata form that evolves from it is an immense, imposing movement that wrestles heroically with its themes. The Scherzo that follows is equally large in its design and is unprecedented in Beethoven’s music in several respects. It is his first symphonic scherzo to precede, rather than follow the slow movement, and it is famous for numerous little timpani strokes that punctuate the music throughout the movement. It also combines elements of fugue and sonata form with the typical scherzo plan and changes the meter to a broad, sharply contrasting 4/4 time signature in the Trio section. The Adagio is one of Beethoven’s most sublime movements, comparable to the great slow movements of his late string quartets and piano sonatas. It is a free variation form, built upon two long-spun melodies that become more florid as the movement progresses.

The vocal/choral/orchestral finale, rejoicing in Beethoven’s lifelong philosophy of freedom and human solidarity, is a sprawling movement that embraces several kinds of musical structures. Essentially, it is a vast cantata blending vocal elements of recitative, aria, duet, solo, and choral ensembles with the instrumental forms of variation, fugue, and rondo. Beethoven’s sketches indicate that he expended enormous amounts of time, labor, and energy in shaping the finale into a towering capstone of his symphonic career. —Carl R. Cunningham

Program Bios

Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor

Michael Tilson Thomas is music director laureate of the San Francisco Symphony, conductor laureate of the London Symphony

Orchestra, and co-founder and artistic director laureate of the New World Symphony. He is a 12-time Grammy Award winner and has conducted the major orchestras of Europe and the United States.

Born in Los Angeles, he studied conducting and composition with Ingolf Dahl at the University of Southern California and, as a young musician, worked with artists including Igor Stravinsky and Aaron Copland. In his mid20s, he became assistant conductor—and later principal guest conductor—of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He

subsequently served as music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.

In 1987, he co-founded the New World Symphony, a postgraduate orchestral academy in Miami Beach dedicated to preparing young musicians of diverse backgrounds for leadership roles in classical music. He has worked with more than 1,200 NWS Fellows, many of whom have gone on to major musical careers.

Program Bios

He became music director of the San Francisco Symphony in 1995, ushering in a period of significant growth and heightened international recognition for the orchestra, championing contemporary and American composers alongside classical masters.

His discography includes more than 120 recordings, and his television work includes series for the BBC and PBS, the New York Philharmonic's Young People’s Concerts, and numerous televised performances. His profile Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is aired on PBS’s American Masters series in fall 2020.

Throughout his career, he has been an active composer, with major works including From the Diary of Anne Frank, premiered with narrator Audrey Hepburn, and Meditations on Rilke. Both appear on SFS Media’s recent Grammy Award-winning recording of his music. In 2023, Yuja Wang and Teddy Abrams released a recording on DG that included Michael Tilson Thomas's You Come Here Often?, which won a 2023 Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo. In celebration of his 80 th birthday in 2024, Pentatone releases GRACE: The Music of Michael Tilson Thomas, a four-disc box set of Tilson Thomas’s compositions.

He is an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France, member of the American Academies of Arts & Sciences and Arts & Letters, National Medal of Arts recipient, and a 2019 Kennedy Center Honoree. 

Angel Blue, soprano

Angel Blue has emerged in recent seasons as one of the most influential sopranos before the public today. The two-time Grammy Award winner, 2020 Beverly Sills Award recipient, and the 2022 Richard Tucker Award winner is celebrated worldwide for her honeyed soprano and affecting deliveries of many of the most beloved roles in the operatic repertory, such as Violetta in Verdi's La traviata, Bess in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Mimí in Puccini’s La bohéme, and Destiny/Loneliness/Greta in Terrence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones

The 2024–25 Season is one of Angel’s most impressive to date, with a staggering itinerary of operatic title roles and concert programs on acclaimed stages worldwide. Beginning in London with the hugely popular Last Night of the Proms, she returns to her home stage at the Metropolitan Opera, where she spends a major portion of her season. In the fall, she plays Margarita Xirgu in Osvaldo Golijov’s first opera, Ainadamar, and in two separate stints over the winter and spring, she makes her long-

anticipated debut as Aida conducted by Yannick NézetSéguin.

Maestro Nézet-Séguin also plays a vital role in Angel’s concert schedule, when she joins the conductor and the Rotterdam Philharmonic on tour in the Netherlands, Germany, and France. She makes two company debuts, as Mimì in the Bayerische Staatsoper’s production of La bohéme and as the titular role in Verdi’s Luisa Miller —also a role debut. She appears twice at Carnegie Hall, first in recital with the legendary pianist Lang Lang, and again with the Met Opera Orchestra and Nézet-Séguin. Concert engagements include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Michael Tilson Thomas and the Houston Symphony, a solo recital at the Los Angeles Opera, and Aida in concert at the Baltimore Symphony conducted by Jonathon Heyward.

Angel Blue has performed in more than 40 countries, including Hungary, Kazakhstan, India, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, South Korea, China, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Brazil, and Mexico. She was raised in California and completed her musical studies at UCLA. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and son. 

Program Bios

Tamara Mumford, mezzo-soprano

American mezzo-soprano Tamara Mumford has gained a reputation as an exciting and in-demand singer appearing with many of the finest orchestras and opera house in the United States and Europe. This season, she returns to The Metropolitan Opera for Die Zauberflöte and the new production of Salome, the Dallas Symphony for continued performances of Erda in The Ring Cycle, and to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She also makes appearances with the Houston Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic.

A graduate of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, Tamara has appeared in more than 200 performances with the company including productions of Kaija Saariaho’s L’Amour de loin, Anna Bolena, Rigoletto, Cavalleria Rusticana, Nixon in China, and both Die Zauberflöte and The Magic Flute. Other recent opera engagements have included the premiere of The Thirteenth Child at the Santa Fe Opera, Tancredi with Teatro Nuovo, Aureliano in Palmira, and Lucrezia Borgia at the Caramoor Festival; Henze’s Phaedra, The Rape of Lucretia,

and the world premiere of Daniel Schnyder's Yardbird at Opera Philadelphia; and L'incoronazione di Poppea at the Glyndebourne Opera Festival and the BBC Proms.

Also an active concert performer and recitalist, Tamara appeared with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in multiple United States and European tours. Other concert engagements have included appearances with the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic, Netherland Radio Philharmonic, and at the Hollywood Bowl, and the Ravinia and Tanglewood festivals. Her recordings include Handel's Messiah with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Mormon Tabernacle Choir), Beethoven's Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony (Avie), and both Mahler's Symphony No. 8 and John Adams’s The Gospel According to the Other Mary with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Deutsche Grammophon). 

Stephen Costello, tenor

Stephen Costello has been hailed as "a prodigiously gifted singer whose voice makes an immediate

impact" ( Associated Press). The Philadelphia-born tenor quickly established a reputation as a "first-class talent" (Opera News) after coming to national attention in 2007, when, aged 26, he made his Metropolitan Opera debut on the company’s season-opening night. Two years later, Stephen won the prestigious Richard Tucker Award, and he has since appeared at many of the world’s most important opera houses and music festivals, including the Royal Opera House, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Wiener Staatsoper, Opéra national de Paris, Deutsche Staatsoper, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Semperoper Dresden, Bayerische Staatsoper, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Hamburgische Staatsoper, San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera, Bolshoi Theatre Moscow, Arena di Verona, Salzburger Festspiele, Bregenzer Festspiele, and Glyndebourne Festival. As Opera News noted in a recent "Spotlight" double-page spread, "the allAmerican tenor" is now "at the top of his game."

In the 2024–25 season, Stephen will return to the Metropolitan Opera for Duca di Mantua (Rigoletto) and Greenhorn (Moby Dick), as well as singing Romeo (Romeo et Juliette) at Opernhaus Zürich and the title role Don Carlo at Bayerische Staatsoper. In concert, he will perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with Michael Tilson Thomas and the Houston Symphony; he will sing a gala concert with Kristine Opolais in Saltillo, Mexico; and a series of recitals alongside pianist Anthony Manoli with Arizona Opera. Last season saw Stephen sing Don José in Carmen at Bayerische Staatsoper, Rodolfo in La bohème at The Metropolitan Opera

Program Bios

(including his 100 th performance at the Met), Verdi’s Requiem at Opernhaus Zürich, Rodolfo in La bohème with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra in Philadelphia and at the Vail Festival, and his debut in the role of Cavaradossi in Tosca, first in concert with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and then on the stage at National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts in Taiwan.

He has appeared at many of the world’s most important opera houses and music festivals, including the Royal Opera House, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Wiener Staatsoper, Deutsche Staatsoper, Opéra national de Paris, Bayerische Staatsoper, Hamburgische Staatsoper, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Semperoper Dresden, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera, Bolshoi Theatre Moscow, Arena di Verona, Salzburger Festspiele, Bregenzer Festspiele, and Glyndebourne Festival.

In March 201,8 Stephen opened a memorial concert at the Royal Opera House in honour of Dmitri Hvorostovsky, singing alongside, among others, Anna Netrebko, Elīna Garanča, and Angela Gheorghiu.

In addition to winning the 2009 Richard Tucker Award and receiving further grants from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, Stephen won first prize in the 2006 George London Foundation Awards Competition, first prize and audience prize in the Giargiari Bel Canto Competition, and first prize in the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Competition. Stephen is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts. 

Ryan McKinny, bass-baritone

Recognized by Opera News as “one of the finest singers of his generation,” American bassbaritone Ryan McKinny has earned his reputation as an artist with something to say. His relentless curiosity informs riveting character portrayals and beautifully crafted performances, reminding audiences of their shared humanity with characters on stage and screen.

This season, Ryan's Joseph De Rocher, hailed by the Washington Post for his “figurative and literal muscular force” and “richly human performance” in Dead Man Walking, appears on the big screen opposite Joyce DiDonato for the Metropolitan Opera’s Summer HD Festival in Lincoln Center Plaza. He brings his commanding bass-baritone to a role debut as Jan Nyman in Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s Breaking the Waves at Houston Grand Opera, and he makes his company debut at Des Moines Metro Opera as the title character in Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. Additional performances include Verdi’s Requiem with Colorado Symphony and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Toledo Symphony and The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Ryan has recently appeared as the title character in Don Giovanni (Washington National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Boston Symphony Orchestra), Escamillo in Carmen (Semperoper Dresden, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Staatsoper Hamburg), Bluebeard in Bluebeard’s Castle (Boston Lyric Opera), and Mozart’s Figaro (Washington National Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Seattle Opera, Metropolitan Opera). Other operatic triumphs include Amfortas in Parsifal (Bayreuth Festival, Argentina’s Teatro Cólon, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Dutch National Opera); Kurwenal in Tristan und Isolde (Deutsche Oper Berlin, Seattle Opera, Canadian Opera Company); the titular Dutchman in Der fliegende Holländer (Staatsoper Hamburg, Milwaukee Symphony, Glimmerglass Festival, Hawaii Opera Theater); Scarpia in Tosca (Los Angeles Opera); Adams’s Girls of the Golden West (Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Opera, Dutch National Opera); and Jochanaan in Salome (Houston Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera).

Ryan has appeared with major orchestras, including Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, National Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, under the batons of conductors such as Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Gustavo Dudamel, and Marin Alsop. In 2024, he was featured on commercial recordings with both the National Symphony and LA Philharmonic. 

houston symphony chorus

Julia Hall

Interim Director

Suré Eloff

Chorus Manager

Scott Holshouser

Pianist

Tony Sessions

Librarian/Stage Manager

The Houston Symphony Chorus is the official choral unit of the Houston Symphony and consists of highly skilled and talented volunteer singers. Over the years, members of this historic ensemble have learned and performed the world’s great choral-orchestral masterworks under the batons of Juraj Valčuha, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Hans Graf, Christoph Eschenbach, Robert Shaw, and Helmuth Rilling, among many others.

In addition, the Chorus enjoys participating in the Houston Symphony’s popular programming under the batons of conductors such as Steven Reineke and Michael Krajewski. Recently, the ensemble sang the closing subscription concerts with the Prague Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic.

Singers are selected for specific programs for which they have indicated interest. A singer might choose to perform in all 45 concerts, as was the case in a recent season, or might elect to participate in a single series. The Houston Symphony Chorus holds auditions by appointment and welcomes inquiries from interested singers.

JULIA HALL

Julia C. Hall is the retired chair of the vocal music department at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. In addition to her duties as the primary HSPVA voice instructor, she conducted the Concert Singers, Treble Choir, Chorale, and HSPVA Madrigal Singers. Before returning to HSPVA, her high school alma mater, Julia taught at Lamar High School, Episcopal High School, and Memorial Middle School. Currently, Julia maintains a private voice studio and teaches private voice at Tomball Memorial High School. She is an active clinician and adjudicator.

In 1986, Julia joined the Houston Symphony Chorus. She has also sung in the Houston Chamber Choir and Houston Masterworks Chorus with Dr. Craig Hella Johnson. She returned to the HSC in 2015 and was named a rehearsal conductor for Dr. Betsy Cook Weber in 2016. She prepared the Chorus for the 2019 Andrea Bocelli concert and assisted in the preparations of Messiah, John Williams POPS concert, Verdi Requiem, among others. In August 2023, she was appointed HSC Assistant Director and prepared the Chorus for the 2023 Holiday POPS.

Julia has conducted two invited choirs at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention: in 2011, with the Memorial Advanced Treble Choir, and in 2017 with the HSPVA Treble Chorus. In 2022, the HSPVA Chorale placed as first runner-up in American Classics Celebration of Excellence, and in 2023, it won first place in this prestigious competition.

A life-long Episcopalian, Julia has been an active Episcopal church musician in several Diocese of Texas churches, as a staff singer, director of music, and children’s choir director. Additionally, she served on the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Music Commission for many years. She had the honor of co-conducting the Diocese of Texas Diocesan choir in a tour to the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and in 2023, she conducted the Diocesan Choral Festival.

Julia earned her bachelor of music education, cum laude, from the University of St. Thomas where she studied voice with Diane Tobola, and her master of music, choral conducting, from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, American Choral Directors Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.

CHORUS ROSTER

Christin Abbott

Steve Abercia

Melissa Adams

Mary Ann Addis

Ayden Adler

Bob Alban

Mark Anstrom

Keith Anthis

Allison Arnold

Stuart Aron

Farrah Au-Yeung

Joshua Barber

Ellis Bardin

Mansi Baxi

David Blassingame

Sarah Blumhardt

Randy Boatright

Vittoria Bobbio-Tarco

Criselda Bocanegra*

Jonathan Bordelon*

Sara Brannon

Nancy Shelton Brattic

Kimberly Burton

Alisa Cabrera Tobin

Danielle Charvoz

William K. Cheadle

Celeste Chevasco

Alysse Chivonne

Nancy Christopherson

Adria Clark

Nicole Colby-Bordelon

Andy Corbin

Violaine Cornu

Matthew Cramerus

Sylvia Dee

Christine Donley

Michael Dorn

Steve Dukes

Randy Eckman

Paul Ehrsam

Nicole Elliot

Chris Fair

Ian W. Fetterley

Amanda Fetter-Matthys

Dylan Fornshell

Jim Friedhofer

Joseph S. Frybert

Rachel Gehman

Michael Gilbert

Rex Gillit

Robert Gomez

Daniel Gorelick

Melisa Gultan

Susan Hall

Ann Chandler Harlan

Sydnee Horton

Catherine Howard

Jillian Hughes*

Stephen James

Denise Johnson

Elise Kappelmann

Gretchen L. Kersten

Nobuhide Kobori

David Kolacny Jr.

Katherine Kunz

Yoka Larasati

Lauren Lawson

Nathan Lazenberry

Dean Leake

Jiapei Yang Li

Suly Liu

Rachel Lootens

Tanya Lovetro

Benjamin Luss*

Brendan Lutes

Samer Madanat

Ken Mathews

Scott Mermelstein

Andrea Mitchell

Travis Mohle

James K Moore

Lydia Musher

Robert Nash

Benedict Tri Nguyen

Kenny S. Oh

Theresa Olin

David Opheim

Janwin Overstreet-Goode

Bill Parker

Corita Parker-Dubose

Paul Parkinson

Jennifer Paulson

Ariella Perlman

Lauren Price

Greg Railsback

Linda Renner

Dylan Rivera

Douglas Rodenberger

Carolyn Rogan

James Romig

Jennifer Romig

Missy Roth

Tiffany Lam Sau

Angela Bongat Seaman

Tony Sessions

Claire Sewell

Shane Smith

Ashley Sorensen

Dewell Springer

Mark Standridge

Carol Strawn

Caitlyn Surkein

Lisa Rai Trewin

Paul Van Dorn

Sarai Villatoro

Miguel Virador

Mary Voigt

Heidi Walton

Lydia Wassan

David Weiser

David Wellborn

Crystal L White

Lance Wilcox

Lee Estes Williams

Grace Zeinieh

Abigail Zuniga

*Section Leader

WITH HONOR WE SERVE

Featured Program

BACH, MOZART & BRAHMS

Yoonshin Song, violin and leader

Jonathan Fischer, Colin Gatwood, oboe

Mark Nuccio, Christian Schubert, clarinet

Rian Craypo, Elise Wagner, bassoon

William VerMeulen, Ian Mayton, horn

0:16

J.S. BACH – Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041

I. [No tempo indicated]

II. Andante

III. Allegro assai

0:22 W.A. MOZART – Serenade No. 12 in C minor, K.388 (Nachtmusik)

I. Allegro

II. Andante

III. Menuetto in Canone and Trio in Canone rovescio

IV. Allegro INTERMISSION

0:40 BRAHMS – Serenade No. 1 in D major, Opus 11

I. Allegro molto

II. Scherzo: Allegro non troppo

III. Adagio non troppo

IV. Menuettos I and II

V. Scherzo: Allegro

VI. Rondo: Allegro

Saturday, November 23

Sunday, November 24

Jones Hall

Jones Hall & Livestream

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

About the Music Program Insight

Drs. M.S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi Guarantor

Livestream of this program is made possible by donors to our Livestream and Recording Studio Consortium listed on page 77

Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation through a special gift celebrating the Foundation’s 50 th anniversary in 2015

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

7:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

Confronted with the program you’ll hear in this Houston Symphony concert, you might be moved to ask: Where’s the conductor? An understandable question in our age of telegenic maestros, actual and fictional—but it’s worth remembering that the conductor is a relatively recent invention. In the days of Bach and Mozart, an ensemble would have been led by one of the performers, typically a keyboardist or first violinist.

Performing a program like this one truly shows off the brilliance of the extraordinary musicians who comprise the Houston Symphony, both as individuals and also as a collective. This is especially true since the works on the program were selected by our accomplished concertmaster, Yoonshin Song, who serves as soloist in Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor—a role Bach himself almost certainly performed in concerts during his lifetime.

Mozart relied on a mere eight wind instruments to conjure utterly symphonic drama and grandeur in his Serenade No. 12 in C minor, a work that would typically have been played without a conductor. And while a world-famous maestro led the first performance of Brahms’s Serenade No. 1 in D major, embracing the challenge of playing this piece—practically a symphony in all but name—without a conductor readily demonstrates the technical assurance and expressive coherence the members of a world-class orchestra like the Houston Symphony can achieve all by themselves.

What results is thrilling performances that combine the unanimity and clarity of chamber music with the power and passion you’ve come to associate with the Houston Symphony experience. —Steve Smith

Program Notes

J.S. BACH

Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041 (1852)

There’s no question that Johann Sebastian Bach was an artist of genius, crafting works that range from appealing to sublime with an almost supernatural proficiency. His is a household name, yet plenty remains uncertain or unknown about this German Baroque composer and master musician. For example, his two violin concertos are pillars of the repertoire—yet we cannot be certain when he wrote them, or for what purpose.

Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041, was long thought to date from his years at Cöthen (1717-1723), when he worked in service to Prince Leopold, a music-loving noble and a proficient amateur performer. Charged with leading Leopold’s 18-piece house orchestra, Bach was freed of church-oriented duties at this stage of his career, and was thought to have produced a substantial number of his secular works, including at least two of his four Orchestral Suites and his six visionary Cello Suites.

However, the earliest surviving manuscript of the A minor concerto dates from around 1730, at which time Bach was serving as director of Leipzig’s collegium musicum, a semi-professional ensemble established by Telemann in 1702. Having devoted his first six years in Leipzig to sacred works, Bach turned decisively to instrumental composition for the collegium, presumably presenting repurposed works from Cöthen along with wholly new compositions. We likely will never know for certain whether the violin concerto was one or the other.

Also a matter of conjecture is whether Bach—an acknowledged master of keyboard instruments—served as the soloist in his violin concertos, as well. It seems likely: scholars have long held that no one could have composed Bach’s masterful Sonatas and Partitas for unaccompanied violin, for example, lacking intimate familiarity with the instrument. Indeed, one of his sons, composer Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, recalled of his father’s violin prowess, “In his youth, and until the approach of old age, he played the violin cleanly and penetratingly, and thus kept the orchestra in better order than he could have done with the harpsichord. He understood to perfection the possibilities of all stringed instruments.”

Whenever the concerto was created, it demonstrates Bach’s facility with the instrument, his imagination and craftsmanship, and his familiarity with another prolific master composer of the Baroque era: Antonio Vivaldi, whose trendsetting virtuoso works Bach had come to know well during his employment in Weimar. Bach had even transcribed at least nine of Vivaldi’s concertos for his own use as works for organ or harpsichord.

Whatever the specifics of its origin, Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor could be said to echo the high-spirited flair established by Vivaldi’s example. But the work’s structural integrity, harmonic complexity, and thoroughgoing intelligence are entirely characteristic of Bach. Listen carefully in the dancing third movement for a fiery instance of bariolage: a technique that requires the soloist to alternate notes rapidly on adjacent strings, creating subtle shifts in color. —Steve Smith

Program Notes

W.A. MOZART

Serenade No. 12 in C minor, K.388 (Nachtmusik) (1782)

In music, the term serenade typically denotes lightness, congeniality, and pleasure—even romance, in the sense that you might serenade a would-be partner. How, then, might one account for the Serenade No. 12 in C minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a dramatic, even stormy work in a key the composer usually reserved for his most tragic creations? The answer is partly down to Mozart’s ceaseless creativity and rule-flouting character, but it also has to do with the prevailing taste in Vienna when Mozart returned to that sophisticated city late in 1783.

During that part of the 18th century, domestic music for small wind ensembles became all the rage. Such ensembles were called harmonie, the works written for them harmoniemusik. Modeling themselves after the Emperor, who maintained a wind ensemble for light music during and after dinner, aristocrats hastened to enlist such groups, and demand for music boomed. (The grand dinner scene in the second act of Mozart’s Don Giovanni illustrated the practice.)

“My main goal right now is to meet the emperor in some agreeable fashion, I am absolutely determined he should get to know me,” Mozart wrote in a letter to his father. That Emperor Joseph II was sufficiently fond of harmoniemusik to have enriched his own ensemble with two bassoons along with the characteristic pairs of oboes, clarinets, and horns was not lost on Mozart, who wrote three substantial serenades that included those eight winds between 1781 and 1784.

The first of these, the so-called “Gran Partita” for 13 instruments, was a grand seven-movement epic immortalized by Peter Shaffer in his play Amadeus, through the dumbstruck utterance of Mozart’s purported murderous rival (and real-life friend) Antonio Salieri. The second, in E-flat major, is a characteristically frolicsome piece initially composed for six winds, and then hastily expanded to eight to suit the Emperor’s consort. About the C minor serenade, though, virtually no factual evidence survives. As musicologist Alfred Einstein said of the work, “We know nothing about the occasion, nothing about the person who commissioned it, nothing about whether this client desired so explosive a serenade, or whether that is simply what poured from Mozart’s soul.” We’re not even certain whether it was composed in 1782 or 1783, which accounts for the dual Köchel catalog number.

One might surmise, however, that the piece Mozart referred to as Nachtmusik (though in this case, nothing Eine kleine about it) simply reflected his burgeoning compositional depth to its fullest extent. As some have observed, the C minor Serenade resembles nothing so much as the Sturm und Drang (“storm and stress”) symphonies of Haydn, Mozart’s friend and model. After an almost unremittingly turbulent opening Allegro and the sweet relief of the Adagio that follows, the third movement demonstrates his skill in canon and the fourth in variation, techniques absorbed from Haydn.

That Mozart valued this music beyond imperial regard or social occasion is suggested strongly by its subsequent fate: in 1787 he revised the piece as his String Quintet No. 2 in C minor (K. 406). —Steve Smith

Program Notes

BRAHMS

Serenade No. 1 in D major, Opus 11 (1858)

Everyone should have a friend whose faith is as unshakeable as that Robert Schumann showed to the young, unknown composer who paid him a fateful visit in October of 1853. The newcomer from Hamburg was Johannes Brahms, then 20, about whom Schumann wrote: “Whenever he bends his magic wand, there, when the powers of the orchestra and chorus lend him their aid, further glimpses of the magic world will be revealed to us.”

A beautiful sentiment and a humbling testimonial, especially to have been expressed by the esteemed Schumann and shared by his wife, Clara Schumann, a composer herself as well as one of the elite pianists of the time. A prodigious pianist, Brahms introduced himself to the Schumanns with his Piano Sonata in C, a work that refers to Beethoven’s “Waldstein” and “Hammerklavier” Sonatas.

For Schumann, the implication was clear: Here was the next Beethoven. But the pressure of living up to that expectation weighed heavily on Brahms. “I shall never write a symphony!” he famously lamented. “You have no idea how it feels to hear behind you the tramp of a giant like Beethoven.”

Brahms would not venture to write a symphony until decades later, when a work on his drawing table evolved in 1876 into his Symphony No. 1 in C minor. That’s not to suggest that Brahms avoided the orchestra; far from it. His Piano Concerto No. 1, with its evocations of his friends–Robert troubled, Clara fond and ingratiating—musters an orchestra’s might like no one had since Beethoven—Robert Schumann included.

Rejected by conservative critics and an uncomprehending audience, the concerto met with a fiasco, which could account for why Brahms chose a different path when he next ventured to compose for orchestra. In 1857, a year after Robert Schumann’s death, Brahms accepted a well-paid position at the court of Detmold, a small town in northwest Germany, serving as a pianist and teacher and conducting an amateur choral society. It was in Detmold that Brahms composed his Serenade in D—initially for nine instruments, in keeping with the blithe, transparent custom of the 18th century when the idiom had flowered. That version is lost, as is a rendition for small orchestra conducted in March 1859 by the violinist, conductor, and composer Joseph Joachim, Brahms’s longtime friend and confidant. By year’s end, Brahms had produced the familiar version for full orchestra, which Joachim introduced in March of 1860.

From the start of the ebullient Allegro molto opening movement with its mellow, songful French horn protagonist, the Serenade No. 1 makes clear that Brahms had found his way to orchestral mastery in a manner not overly beholden to his formidable forebear, Beethoven—though you certainly might sense the rusticity of the earlier composer’s “Pastoral” Symphony.

The six-movement work—essentially a four-part Classical symphony with two buoyant Scherzo movements inserted after the first movement and before the fourth—offers an encyclopedic view of Brahms’s creative confidence. Sixteen years would pass before he finally ventured to call one of his works a symphony, but this masterful serenade—so satisfying in its own right—also telegraphs complete assurance. —Steve Smith

Program Bios

Yoonshin Song, violin and leader

Yoonshin Song was appointed Concertmaster of the Houston Symphony in August 2019. Prior to that she has held the same position with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for seven seasons. In Europe, Yoonshin has served as guest concertmaster of the Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer for several years, and she has led the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra under numerous top-tiered conductors, such as Sir Simon Rattle, Klaus Mäkelä, Daniel Harding, Mikhail Pletnev, and Antonio Pappano. She also served as guest concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the KBS Symphony Orchestra.

Beyond her first chair duties, Yoonshin has performed as a soloist with many orchestras around the world, including the Houston Symphony, Budapest Festival Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Symphony, the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, the Paul Constantinescu Philharmonic Orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and the KBS

Symphony Orchestra, among many others.

She has also participated as a soloist and a chamber musician in various roles in leading music festivals, including the ones in Verbier, Lucerne, Samos, and Bayreuth in Europe; the Marlboro, Great Lakes, and Deer Valley in the United States.

Yoonshin has earned many prestigious prizes throughout her career, including top prize awards in the Lipizer International Violin Competition, the Lipinski and Wieniawski International Violin Competition, the Henry Marteau International Violin Competition, and first prize at the Stradivarius International Competition in the United States.

She studied under the tutelage of Donald Weilerstein at the New England Conservatory and with Robert Mann, Glenn Dicterow, and Lisa Kim at the Manhattan School of Music. Yoonshin holds the Max Levine Chair. 

Jonathan Fischer, oboe

Jonathan Fischer joined the Houston Symphony as principal oboe in September 2012 and was invited to join the faculty of the University of Houston in

September 2014. Prior to his appointment with the Houston Symphony, Jonathan served as associate principal oboe with the San Francisco Symphony for nine seasons. He has also held positions with The Cleveland Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Orchestra, Santa Fe Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Savannah Symphony, and the New World Symphony. He has performed as a guest principal with many of the nation’s leading orchestras, including the Boston, Chicago, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras; the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the St. Louis and Atlanta Symphonies; and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He has performed as a soloist with the Houston Symphony, Grant Park Symphony, New World Symphony, and San Francisco Symphony.

Jonathan currently teaches at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music and Texas Music Festival. He has taught and performed at the Aspen Music Festival and the Oberlin Conservatory. He has given masterclasses at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the San Francisco Conservatory, Rice University, and University of Michigan, and has coached at the New World Symphony. He holds a degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Richard Woodhams.

A native of South Carolina, Jonathan now enjoys living in the Heights with his dog, a Louisiana Catahoula mix. He holds the Lucy Stude Binyon Chair 

Program Bios

Colin Gatwood, oboe

Colin Gatwood was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his father was principal oboist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and his mother, a violinist, was a freelance musician and teacher. He began his musical studies on the piano at age five, but by the time he was nine, he had begun taking oboe lessons from his father.

Colin is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. His first orchestra job was with the Pittsburgh Symphony, playing second oboe for four years. From there, he went on to join the Guadalajara Symphony Orchestra in Mexico, and in 1991, he won the position of Second Oboe with the Houston Symphony. 

Mark Nuccio, clarinet

Critics have praised clarinetist Mark Nuccio for his solo and chamber appearances, describing him as “the evening’s highlight,” full of “mystery and insight,” and “shaping his phrases beautifully with a rich, expressive tone.” (New York Times)

Mark was named Principal Clarinet of the Houston Symphony in 2016. Prior to that, he was a member of the New York Philharmonic for 17 years and held positions in Pittsburgh, Denver, Savannah, and Florida. He has performed concerti multiple times with Houston and the NYP, among others; and while in New York, he was a regular performer at Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the 92nd Street Y.

Teaching is his proudest work. He has served as a faculty member, currently at the Frost School of Music (University of Miami), and previously at Northwestern University, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College, and Duquesne University. During the summers, he performs and teaches at music festivals in Brevard, North Carolina, and Sarasota, Florida, among others.

Mark Nuccio is a performing artist/clinician for Buffet Music Group and an advising artist and clinician for D’Addario. Mark holds the Bobbie Nau Chair. Visit his website at www.marknuccio.com 

Christian Schubert, clarinet

Christian Schubert joined the Houston Symphony as Second Clarinetist in 1996, appointed by then Music Director Christoph Eschenbach. A native of Burbank, California, Christian studied with Kalman Bloch (Principal Clarinet, Los Angeles Philharmonic) for seven years before moving to Chicago to study with Robert Marcellus at Northwestern University, where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance. As a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, he also studied with Larry Combs of the Chicago Symphony.

Prior to arriving in Houston, Christian played extensively with numerous Chicago-area ensembles, including the Lyric Opera Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, The Chicago Ensemble, as well as performing

Program Bios

commercial jingle session work in the Chicago studios. He also served as the second clarinetist and E-flat clarinetist with the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago for 17 seasons between 1991 and 2016. Active as a chamber musician as well as a recitalist, he has been a featured performer at the Schlesswig Holstein Musik Festival, the Mainly Mozart Festival, the Grand Teton Music Festival, and the Tanglewood Music Festival.

Well known for his success in teaching young people, he has served on the music faculties of North Park College in Chicago and the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. He is also the co-founder of Houston Clarinet Camp and has presented masterclasses across the country. A dedicated pedagogue, he has maintained a private instruction studio at home every year of his professional career as well as serving as a lead teacher in several music education initiatives sponsored by the Houston Symphony.

In his time away from performing and teaching, Christian owns and operates a recording engineering company, Schubert Recording Services, specializing in the quality digital recording of classical music.

Christian exclusively performs and records on Buffet clarinets, and on D’Addario Reserve Classic reeds, and has been a performing artist and clinician for both companies since 2016. 

Rian Craypo, bassoon

Principal Bassoonist Rian Craypo has been with the Houston Symphony since 2007. Born in Virginia, she moved to Texas at 10 months of age and grew up east of Austin in a small intentional community.

After studying at the University of Texas at Austin with Kristin Wolfe Jensen, she attended Rice University, where she received her master’s degree under former Houston Symphony Principal Bassoon Benjamin Kamins.

In 2001, she was awarded a Federation of German/American Clubs Scholarship, which led to a year of study and performances in Germany and was a finalist in the Gillet-Fox International Bassoon Competition in both 2004 and 2006. Rian serves on the board of Third Space Music, which presents Houston Symphony musicians several times a year in intimate and engaging chamber settings. Rian is also the author of a book about bassoon reed making, published in 2017. She and her husband, Sean, have three children. 

Elise Wagner, bassoon

Elise Wagner has been a member of the Houston Symphony bassoon section since September 2008. She also regularly performs with the Strings Music Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She has played with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, Sarasota Opera Orchestra, and Lake Tahoe Music Festival, and was awarded fellowships to the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival.

When performing outside the orchestra, Elise is an advocate for modern music and a chamber musician. In 2013, she was part of the world premiere of the Foundation for Modern Musiccommissioned Who am I?

Following the premiere performance in Houston, she performed the work at La Mama Theater in New York City in 2014. As an active chamber musician, Elise frequently performs with the Greenbriar Consortium and the St. Cecelia Chamber Music Series.

In addition to her performance schedule, she serves on the faculty of the University of Houston, the Texas Music Festival, and the American Festival for the Arts. When not playing bassoon, she can

Program Bios

be found biking, running, golfing, or making reeds.

A native of Monroe, Wisconsin, Elise earned her master’s degree at Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied with Nancy Goeres, principal bassoon of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Temple University under the instruction of Daniel Matsukawa, principal bassoon of the Philadelphia Orchestra. 

William VerMuelen, horn

Hailed as “one of today’s superstars of the international brass scene,” William VerMeulen leads a varied musical life as a soloist, chamber musician, master teacher, and music publisher. William has been Principal Horn of the Houston Symphony since 1990 and has performed as a guest principal horn with the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Before joining the Houston Symphony, he was employed with Columbus, Honolulu, and Kansas City orchestras.

William has participated as a

performer and on faculty with North America’s finest music festivals, schools, and chamber music presenters. He has performed to critical acclaim on four continents as a soloist, chamber musician, and featured artist at International Horn Society Symposiums, where he was an advisory council member, and has served as a board member of the International Horn Competition of America.

Along with the dozens of orchestral recordings, his discography comprises numerous solo and chamber recordings, including the complete Mozart Horn Concerti with Christoph Eschenbach and the Houston Symphony, the Bruce Broughton Concerto for Horn recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, Texas Horns featuring the Dallas and Houston horn sections, and “The Christmas Horn” that features William and his Rice University students, and the Canto XI by Samuel Adler for a CD called First Chairs, among many others.

A champion of new music, numerous pieces have been written for him, including concerti by esteemed American composers Bruce Broughton, Samuel Adler, Pierre Jalbert, Tony DiLorenzo, and the horn cantata “Canticum Sacrum” by Robert Bradshaw.

Regarded as one of the most influential horn teachers, William recently retired from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, 1990-2024. His students perform in numerous major orchestras. In 1985, he received a Distinguished Teacher of America Certificate of Excellence from President

Reagan. Educated at Dale Clevenger at Northwestern University and the Interlochen Arts Academy, William is the founder and president of VerMeulen Music, L.L.C., which offers music and products for horn players worldwide at www. williamvermeulen.com.

He is married to Houston Opera and Ballet violinist Sylvia VerMeulen. They have two children, Michael and Nicole. William holds the Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Chair.

Ian Mayton, horn

Ian Mayton began his tenure with the Houston Symphony in 2015 under the baton of Andrés OrozcoEstrada. He has performed as a guest with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the North Carolina Symphony. Also an active chamber musician, Ian regularly performs as a featured chamber artist with the Houston Symphony.

After completing his bachelor of music degree at the University of

North Carolina at Greensboro, Ian spent a year studying with William VerMeulen at Rice University before winning his position with the Houston Symphony. Ian holds the Barbara J. Burger Chair 

Corporate Spotlights Program Bios

Bank of America is guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. The company delivers on this through responsible growth with a focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across eight lights of business and helps fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in, and do business with.

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The Houston Symphony is proud to celebrate Bank of America as the title sponsor of the Bank of America POPS Series. Visit about.bankofamerica.com to learn more.

Park at One Market Square Garage, the recommended parking partner of the Houston Symphony. The new garage–located at 800 Preston Street with entrances on Milam and Prairie–is just a block from Jones Hall. At the epicenter of downtown, One Market Square is convenient for the entire Theater District as well as CBD office towers and Historic District restaurants; it is easily accessible from I-45, I-10, US-59, Memorial Drive, and Allen Parkway.

In partnership with the Houston Symphony, One Market Square Garage elevates your concert-going experience from prelude to coda. In addition to 24/7 on-site staffing, One Market Square offers a 20 percent discount for Symphony patrons. Bring your parking ticket with you to use the validator kiosk in the Jones Hall lobby before or after the concert or during intermission.

The spotlight shines brilliantly on the Houston Symphony.

What you see on stage is the result of hours and hours of learning the craft. Rehearsing and re-rehearsing. Obsessing over every dynamic. At PNC Bank, we know how much behind-the-scenes work goes into making the difficult look effortless. To the players shining brightly tonight in the Houston Symphony: Bravo!

STIR UP HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Luminary Leadership

Contributions to the Symphony play a big part in who we are and what we can do. Ticket sales cover just one-third of our budget. Donations make up that difference allowing us to attract great talent and support our community outreach efforts.

The Houston Symphony is made up of some of the finest musicians in the world. And it is because of this talent that we can attract the most amazing guest artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Emanuel Ax, Lang Lang, Hilary Hahn, Yefim Bronfman, and Joshua Bell. None of this would be possible without the support of our patrons.

Your donations also support the Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives, which are an important part of our mission. Our musicians perform in schools, hospitals, and community centers, serving nearly 200,000 people every year. We inspire students to begin and to continue studying music through our Student Concert Series and In Harmony, our community-based afterschool music program. We offer comfort to those in need through our hospital bedside visits and interactive dementia center performances. We also collaborate with more than 500 partner organizations to remove economic and geographical barriers to music, ensuring people from all walks of life can have access to extraordinary musical experiences. This truly important work is made possible by our supporters.

From what you hear on the Jones Hall stage to what we do in the community, your support goes a long way in helping the Houston Symphony be a first-class orchestra and organization. As a “Thank You!” for your support, we offer an amazing collection of benefits such as complimentary valet parking, access to the Shirley and David Toomim Family Green Room, intimate salon concerts, invitations to private rehearsals, parking passes, “Meet the Orchestra” events, complimentary tickets for guests, and more.

We thank you for your consideration. For more information on giving, please contact Christine Ann Stevens, Senior Director of Development at christine.stevens@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8521 or Tim Dillow, Senior Director of Development, at timothy.dillow@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8538.

Luminary Leadership

Robin Angly & Miles Smith

$100,000+

Robin and Miles are avid classical music lovers and are passionately committed to the Symphony. Their generosity has focused on advancing projects of particular artistic ambition, including the Music Director Fund, tours, commissions, and programs with operatic components. Miles is Lifetime Trustee of the Board and serves on the Artistic and Orchestra Affairs Committee. Both have musical backgrounds. Professionally, Robin is owner of Venture Partners and Miles is an attorney.

Bank of America

Bank of America is committed to making financial lives better through the power of every connection. They deliver on this through their responsible growth strategy which emphasizes being a great place to work for the nearly 2,500 employees in Houston and sharing their success with our local community. Whether it is owning a home, starting a business, building savings and credit, or making a difference, Bank of America connects communities to the lending, investing, and giving they need to remain vibrant and vital. Bank of America is the title sponsor of the Bank of America POPS Series.

Gary and Marian Beauchamp/The Beauchamp Foundation

Marian and Gary Beauchamp are generous supporters of the performing arts and of Houstonians experiencing homelessness. They have provided funding for many of the Symphony’s acquisitions and special priorities over the years, including the orchestra’s custom RAT music stands, the sound shell used at Miller Outdoor Theatre, and the orchestra’s set of German timpani and Berlioz Bells. The Beauchamps are classical subscribers and have served as Musician Sponsors for several decades. Gary is also a Governing Director on the Board of Trustees, serving on the Artistic and Orchestra Affairs Committee.

The Brown Foundation, Inc.

The Brown Foundation, established in 1951, is a philanthropic organization committed to enriching Texas communities through education, arts, and civic engagement. It has distributed more than $1.7 billion in grants across Texas since its inception. With a focus on bringing passion, energy, and creativity to life in Houston, the Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of the Symphony for decades. Its generous contributions have enabled the Symphony to deliver exceptional performances, engage diverse audiences, and foster education initiatives.

Barbara J. Burger

Since joining the Symphony family in 2014, Barbara has established herself as one of the organization’s greatest champions. She is President of the Board of Trustees and provides leadership support for a wide range of Symphony initiatives. In 2023, she endowed the orchestra’s Fourth Horn Chair and touring activities. She is a Musician Sponsor, member of the Music Director Fund, and Guarantor of the Symphony’s Media Consortium, enabling the Symphony to reach audiences in all 50 states and 49 countries.

City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

The Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) is a local arts and culture non-profit agency dedicated to helping artists and non-profits be bold, productive, and strong. Under the guidance of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, HAA implements the City of Houston’s vision for arts grantmaking and civic art investments. Additionally, HAA spearheads privately funded initiatives, including disaster preparedness, arts research, and temporary public art projects that invigorate local neighborhoods. HAA generously provides funding to the Houston Symphony, allowing us to improve accessibility of the arts throughout the Houston community.

Jane and Robert* Cizik

Jane and her late husband Robert have supported Houston’s cultural arts with extraordinary generosity for decades. Following his passing in 2019, the Houston Symphony’s 2020–21 Classical Season was named for Robert in recognition of his contributions. Jane continues their legacy and love of classical music with her steadfast presence at concerts and generous support of the orchestra. In 2024, Jane endowed the orchestra’s Associate Principal Cello Chair. She is a Musician Sponsor and a former member of both the Board of Trustees and the Symphony League.

$100,000+

THE CULLEN TRUST FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Janet F. Clark

Janet has been a generous supporter and steadfast leader of the Houston Symphony for more than three decades. She is current Chair and a former President of the Board of Trustees. Janet serves as a Musician Sponsor, regularly supports special events, and frequently hosts gatherings to better connect people to the Symphony. She is former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Marathon Oil Corporation. She is active in the Houston philanthropic community with an emphasis on education and environment, including Houston’s parks.

ConocoPhillips

For more than 50 years, ConocoPhillips has supported the Houston Symphony, advocating for music education and cultural enrichment. In 2024, the company celebrated their 38th consecutive year as the Opening Night Concert Sponsor and Lead Corporate Gala Underwriter, ensuring a grand start to the Symphony’s season. This partnership exemplifies ConocoPhillips’s dedication to giving back to the community. As a leading exploration and production company, ConocoPhillips is committed to being a good neighbor and responsible citizen in the areas it operates.

The Cullen Foundation

The Cullen Foundation was established by Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen in 1947 and has supported the Symphony for more than 60 years. In that time, the Foundation has been a loyal donor to the orchestra in times of prosperity and an invaluable champion during difficult times. The Foundation has made extraordinary gifts to help sustain the orchestra, including contributions to Hurricane Harvey relief and to the Symphony’s Endowment Campaign.

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts is one of the best-known names in Houston philanthropy and has been one of the Symphony’s greatest champions. One of three charitable trusts with independent boards created by the Cullen Foundation in the 1970s, it furthers the philanthropic legacy of Houston legend Hugh Roy Cullen. The Trust has contributed more than $9 million to the Houston Symphony since 1984, supporting almost every aspect of the orchestra’s activity.

The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation

Founded in 2009, the Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation is a family-run private foundation that supports Houston-based non-profit organizations that provide health, education, and sustainability services in Houston and Harris County. The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation has distributed more than $22.5 million in grants to support, encourage, and assist several local organizations. Since the Houston Symphony’s 2018–19 Season, The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation has supported a wide array of our Education and Community Engagement initiatives.

Joan and Bob Duff

Joan and Bob have been supporters of the Houston Symphony since 2017. Joan is a member of the Houston Symphony Board of Trustees and serves on the Popular Programming Committee, serving as a steadfast advocate for our education and community engagement initiatives. They have chaired several Symphony events including Magical Musical Morning two times and the Wine Dinner and Collector's Auction. Joan and Bob sponsor Associate Principal Horn, Rob Johnson.

Frost Bank

Frost Bank and the Houston Symphony—two institutions that have served Texans for more than a century—are happy to partner on the Frost Bank Gold Classics Series for the 2024–25 Season. It has helped generations of Texans achieve their financial goals for more than 155 years. Frost has consistently been ranked highest in customer satisfaction in Texas by the J.D. Power U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study. Frost is honored to support communities across the state of Texas.

Luminary Leadership

The Hearst Foundations

$100,000+

THE HUMPHREYS FOUNDATION

In a remarkable gesture of support during the COVID-19 crisis, The Hearst Foundations granted $250,000 to the Houston Symphony, part of a $50 million effort benefiting 100 non-profits nationwide. William Randolph Hearst III and Virginia Hearst Randt announced these unprecedented grants, aimed at aiding the Symphony’s perseverance through challenging times. Additionally, the Hearst Foundations have been a enduring supporter of the Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives.

Houston Methodist

Houston Methodist is a dedicated supporter of the Houston Symphony as the Official Health Care Provider and underwriter of six concert weekends throughout the 2024–25 Season. Houston Methodist offers unique benefits to the Houston Symphony’s musicians through its Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM). As the only center of its kind in the country, CPAM is composed of a specialized group of more than 100 elite physicians working collaboratively to address the specific demands placed on artists so they can do what they do best—enrich the lives of Houston audiences.

The Humphreys Foundation

For more than 30 years, The Humphreys Foundation’s grants have been instrumental in allowing the Symphony to bring high-quality artistic programming to Houston. Under the leadership of President Linda Bertman, the charitable foundation based in Liberty County has underwritten several iconic Symphony concerts, including: operas like Abduction from the Seraglio, Fidelio, Bluebeard’s Castle, and Oedipus Rex; the HD Odyssey trilogy (The Planets, The Earth, The Cosmos) and the 2017–18 Season performance of The Rite of Spring; as well as festivals like the two-week Schumann Festival in 2020, and Carmina burana

Drs. M.S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi

Drs. M.S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi, known as Kalsi and Ise to their friends, have been Symphony supporters for decades. They began attending together while studying at University of Houston, Kalsi pursuing his master’s in engineering and Ise her master’s in philosophy; this began their lifelong love of, and support for, the Symphony. The Kalsis serve as Musician Sponsors. In 2024, Kalsi established the Marie-Luise Schubert Kalsi Fund within the Symphony Endowment. Kalsi, originally from India, is founder and president of Kalsi Engineering; Ise, originally from Germany, is a retired professor of philosophy.

Dr. Sippi and Mr. Ajay Khurana

Sippi and Ajay are passionately committed to service, contributing both time and treasure across multiple sectors of the philanthropic community in Houston and beyond. At the Symphony, they are Program Guarantors for In Harmony, an intensive community-based music training program for underserved students. Sippi serves on the Executive Committee and Ajay as a Trustee for the HS Endowment.

KTRK ABC-13

KTRK ABC-13 is the leading local television news station serving the Greater Houston area, known for its comprehensive news coverage, entertainment programming, and community engagement. As the Official Television Partner of the Houston Symphony, KTRK ABC-13 plays a pivotal role in amplifying the Symphony’s reach and impact. This partnership exemplifies KTRK ABC-13’s commitment to supporting local arts and culture and enriching the lives of Houstonians through the power of music.

Max Levit

Max Levit has quietly supported the Symphony with extraordinary generosity since the 1990s. Through his decades of giving, Max has played a key role in advancing the Symphony’s level of artistry into the orchestra we enjoy today and has supported performances by the world’s most in-demand guest artists. He regularly attends both classical and pops concerts. Max co-managed his family company Grocers Supply and built it into one of the nation’s leading private companies. Max’s daughter, Cindy Levit, serves as a Governing Director on the Symphony’s Board of Trustees.

M.D. ANDERSON FOUNDATION

Cora Sue and Harry* Mach

Cora Sue’s dedication to the Symphony, with special emphasis on education, dates back more than two decades. She has contributed time and treasure with humility and generosity, having served as former Chair of the Education Committee of the Board, President of the League, and Chair of several special events. In partnership with Harry Mach, her late husband of 58 years, she is one of the institution’s leadership donors in her lifetime of giving. The 2024–25 Harry and Cora Sue Mach Student Concert Series honors Harry and enhances the lives of children by providing direct access to our orchestra.

Beth Madison

After two decades of generosity, Beth continues her support of the Houston Symphony with emphasis on special events. She is an honoree of the 2024 Opening Night Concert & Gala and has received numerous awards in the Houston philanthropic community. She is a Lifetime Symphony League Member and former member of the Board of Trustees. She serves as a Regent at the University of Houston, demonstrating her belief in the value of and relationship between education and the arts for a thriving community.

Barbara and Pat McCelvey

Barbara and Pat are leaders in Houston Symphony’s community of concertgoers, donors, and governance. In 2024, Barbara and Pat endowed the orchestra’s English Horn Chair. They support the Music Director Fund and serve as Musician Sponsors. Barbara serves as a Governing Director on the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Development Committee; she is a Symphony League member and former League president. Barbara also serves on the Board of the Foundation for Jones Hall and is instrumental in the planning and execution of the Jones Hall renovations currently underway.

Dr. Eric McLaughlin and Mr. Eliodoro Castillo

Eric and Elliot are active philanthropists in Houston’s performing arts world. For 2024–25, they are proud to elevate their support of the Symphony and its vision to be a world-class orchestra and Houston cultural leader. Outside of his entrepreneurial and healthcare pursuits, Eric dabbles in playing the piano. He cites exceptional performing arts and powerful air conditioning as key reasons he calls Houston home. Elliot, a professionally trained bass-baritone opera singer, has also grown his real estate and property management portfolio to over $40 million in just a few years. Together, Eric and Elliot enjoy travel and the outdoors.

M.D. Anderson Foundation

The Houston Symphony is grateful to the M.D. Anderson Foundation, a dedicated supporter since the 1970s, for supporting the Symphony’s grand scale musical projects and helping us adapt to pandemic challenges. Founded by Monroe Dunaway Anderson in 1936, the Foundation is renowned for its role in creating the Texas Medical Center and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and supports organizations enhancing the quality of life for Houstonians. The Houston Symphony thanks the Trustees of the Foundation for its decades of support and salutes them for their service to our city.

Miller Outdoor Theatre

Since 1923, Miller Outdoor Theatre has been Houston’s premiere venue for free, professional-caliber outdoor performances. Located in Hermann Park, it is the only proscenium theatre in America that offers an eight-month season of outstanding artistry, including classical music, jazz, dance, drama, films, and more. The Symphony’s partnership began in 1940 when we became the first performing arts organization to bring free concerts to the park.

Bobbie Nau

Bobbie is actively involved in multiple civic, community, and philanthropic organizations in Houston and is a generous supporter of the Symphony’s Annual Fund, Special Events, and Endowment. She attends both classical and pops concerts and provides leadership support for general operations each year. In 2022, she endowed the orchestra’s Principal Clarinet Chair. In 2023, she chaired the highest grossing Houston Symphony Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction in the event’s history. Bobbie is former majority owner of Silver Eagle Distributors.

Luminary Leadership

Leslie Nossaman

$100,000+

Leslie is an impactful leader on both the Symphony Board of Trustees and Houston Symphony League Board. She has been a Symphony patron since the 1980s and a major volunteer since 2016, including Student Concerts, Family Concerts, musician auditions, and the Archives. She is currently PresidentElect for the League and participates on many Symphony committees such as Marketing, Development, and Education and Community Engagement.

Oliver Wyman

Oliver Wyman is a leading global management consulting firm with offices in more than 50 cities across 30 countries and combines deep industry experience with specialized expertise in strategy, operations, risk management, and organization transformation. The company devotes substantial time and resources to creating positive social impact and works with non-profit organizations worldwide. Oliver Wyman has provided consulting services to the Houston Symphony since 2015. Please visit the company at OliverWyman.com to learn more.

Shell USA, Inc.

Shell USA, Inc., a longtime leadership contributor to the Houston Symphony, underwrites the Houston Symphony’s Favorite Masters Series of classical subscription concerts as part of the company’s continuing commitment to the communities it serves. Since it was founded, Shell USA, Inc. has invested more than $1 billion in charitable, cultural, and educational organizations throughout Houston and the United States. Shell’s support of culture and the arts encompasses a wide range of symphony, opera, and theater groups, as well as the visual arts and science museums.

John & Lindy Rydman/Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

The Houston Symphony’s Principal Corporate Guarantor is a landmark Houston institution, Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. Through the Spec’s Charitable Foundation, the company supports the Symphony in a variety of ways—through the annual Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction, the Salute to Educators Concert, and the company’s own Symphony fundraising event, Vintage Virtuoso. In total, the company has contributed more than $6.5 million to the Symphony since 1996.

Mike Stude

Mike Stude, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees, has been one of the Symphony’s most devoted champions for decades. He has made extraordinary personal contributions of time and treasure and is a steadfast advocate of the Symphony and its Endowment among foundations and peers. A lifelong lover of classical music, Mike is former owner of KRTS classical radio, serves as a Musician Sponsor, and has traveled worldwide to hear the orchestra on tour. He began his career at Brown & Root and later became Owner and President of Stude Investment Partners and Chairman of Big Covey Exploration.

Texas Commission on the Arts

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) generously provides grants to the Symphony to support our educational and community engagement initiatives and Holiday Concert Series. These grants are offered to arts organizations in designated cultural districts—like the Houston Theater District—for projects that enhance economic development, arts education, and cultural tourism. The Houston Symphony is grateful to the TCA and the State of Texas for supporting the arts in our home state.

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor are leading Houston philanthropists with a remarkable dedication to the Houston Symphony. Over the course of their decades-long involvement, they have provided leadership support for virtually every one of the organization’s strategic priorities. Bobby has served as both President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He is CEO of Artemis Energy Partners; previously, he was a founding partner and chairman of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Phoebe is an active community volunteer involved with the arts, historic preservation, parks, education, and quality-of-life issues.

Luminary Leadership

THE WORTHAM FOUNDATION, INC.

Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

$100,000+

Betty and Jesse Tutor are active members of Houston’s philanthropic community and are known for their dedication to the arts and for fostering connections between fellow Houstonians. Both Betty and Jesse are Governing Directors of the Board of Trustees, Lifetime Trustees, Chairs of the Legacy Society, and former chairs of several special events. Betty, a former Woman of Distinction, has served as President of the Symphony League. Jesse, a retired partner at Accenture, is a former President of the Board of Trustees, and currently serves as Chair of the Audit Committee.

Margaret Alkek Williams

The Houston Chronicle named Margaret “the most powerful, committed female philanthropist in Houston since Ima Hogg.” Her extraordinary contributions have made a remarkable impact at the Symphony and across the theater district. Each season, she sponsors the six-concert Margaret Alkek Williams Spotlight Series and serves as Grand Guarantor of two programs. In 2015, Margaret endowed the orchestra’s Executive Director/CEO Chair. She is a Lifetime Trustee and Governing Director. In 2024, the Margaret Alkek Williams Grand Lobby opened at Jones Hall.

The Wortham Foundation, Inc.

The Houston Symphony is fortunate to have the generous and longstanding support of The Wortham Foundation, Inc., whose grants play a vital role in maintaining the orchestra’s artistic excellence and organizational strength. The Wortham Foundation, Inc. has been a partner of the Symphony for more than 45 years, and its investment in the Symphony has been invaluable to the organization’s artistic growth.

Gardenia Foundation

Edith and Robert Zinn

Music Director Fund

Margaret Alkek Williams

Robin Angly & Miles Smith

Barbara J. Burger

Albert & Anne Chao

Jane and Robert* Cizik

The purpose of the Music Director Fund is to provide leadership support to Juraj Valčuha and his artistic endeavors as Music Director. Since his arrival, Juraj has revealed his vision of a future with extraordinary concerts and exceptional service to the city of Houston. His leadership will continue to elevate the orchestra’s level of artistry on the Jones Hall stage, raise its international reputation, and increase its relevance to the Houston community. Music Director Fund donors provide dedicated resources to support the production of Juraj’s signature artistic projects such as multiconcert festivals and opera projects, the hiring of top-level orchestra musicians whose selection is overseen by Juraj, and invitations to guest soloists of the highest caliber.

To join the Music Director Fund, donors contribute $50,000 to $100,000 beyond their renewed Annual Fund support. To participate, please contact Christine Ann Stevens, Senior Director, Development at christine.stevens@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8521.

Cindy Levit

Barbara & Pat McCelvey

John

Lindy

Mike Stude

Janet F. Clark Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Gardenia Foundation

Dr. Eric McLaughlin and Mr. Eliodoro Castillo

&

Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Our Donors

The Houston Symphony gratefully acknowledges those who support our artistic, educational, and community engagement programs through their generosity to our Annual Fund and Special Events. For more information, please contact Emilie Moellmer, at emilie.moellmer@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8526.

$50,000+

Edward and Janette Blackburne

Mr. Robert Boblitt Jr.

Mary Kathryn Campion & Stephen Liston

Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle

Anne & Albert Chao

Virginia A. Clark

Elaine Finger/The Marvy Finger Family Foundation

Aggie L. Foster & Steve Simon

Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn

Gary L. Hollingsworth & Kenneth J. Hyde

The John P. McGovern Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Bashar Kalai

Cindy E. Levit

Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen

Marks

Dr. Miguel & Mrs. Valerie Miro-Quesada

John L. Nau III

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Ruez

Margaret & Joel Shannon

Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun

Tina Raham Stewart in memory of Jonathan Stewart

Terry Thomas

Shirley W. Toomim

Hallie A. Vanderhider

Stephen and Kristine Wallace

Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann

$25,000+

Farida Abjani

Dr. Angela R. Apollo

Ann & Jonathan Ayre

Dr. Saúl and Ursula Balagura

Dr. Gudrun H. Becker

James* and Dale Brannon

Nancy and Walter Bratic

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Elsenbrook

Ms. Carolyn Faulk

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Firestone

Mr. and Mrs. James C. Flores

Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel

Evan B. Glick

Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation/The Kaplan, Brooks, and Bruch Families

Dr. Charles Johnson & Tammie Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Parker Johnson

Dr. Rita Justice/The MasterCaregiver Company

Cheryl Boblitt and Bill King

Mr. and Mrs. David B. Krieger

Paul Leach & Susan Winokur

Joella & Steven P. Mach

Alison and Ara Malkhassian**

Mrs. Carolyn and Dr. Michael Mann

Barry and Rosalyn Margolis Family

Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis

Michelle & Jack Matzer

John & Dorothy McDonald

Muffy and Mike McLanahan

Katie and Bob Orr / Oliver Wyman

Mr. David Peavy and Dr. Stephen McCauley

Revati Puranik

Laurie A. Rachford

Ed & Janet Rinehart

Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum*

Susan D. Sarofim

Donna Scott and Mitch Glassman

Kathy & Ed Segner

Bill Stanley

Mr. Jay Steinfeld and Mrs. Barbara Winthrop

Dr. John R. Stroehlein and Miwa Sakashita

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tsuru

Cecilia and Luciano Vasconcellos

Frances and Ira Anderson

Nina K. Andrews

Anne Morgan Barrett

In Memory of Sybil F. Roos –Ginger Bertrand, Cathey Cook and Betsy Ga

Mr. Gordon J. Brodfuehrer

Terry Ann Brown

Eric D. Brueggeman

Mr. Bill Bullock

Mr. Robert Bunch and Ms. Lilia Khakimova

Roger and Debby Cutler

Mike and Debra Dishberger

Connie Dyer

Andria N. Elkins

Sidney Faust

Eugene Fong

Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch

Elia Gabbanelli

Steve and Mary Gangelhoff

Clare Attwell Glassell

Suzan & Julius Glickman

Mrs. Mary Goodman

Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman

Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves

Claudio J. Gutiérrez

Mr. and Mrs.* Jerry L. Hamaker

Claudia & David Hatcher

Mark & Ragna Henrichs

Carol and Charlie Herder

Mrs. James E. Hooks

Catherine and Brian James

Rebecca & Bobby Jee

Gwen & Dan Kellogg

Dr. & Mrs. I. Ray Kirk

Ms. Nancey G. Lobb

Cindy Mao and Michael Ma

John & Regina Mangum

Jay & Shirley Marks*

Mr. and Mrs. Jarrod Martin

Rita and Paul Morico

Scott and Judy Nyquist

Dr. Susan Osterberg and Mr. Edward C. Osterberg, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Partin

Gloria & Joe Pryzant

Jean and Allan Quiat

Ron and Demi Rand

Mr. Floyd W. Robinson

Ann Roff

Toni A. Oplt and Ed Schneider

Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer

Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber

Steven & Nancy Williams

Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wallace S. Wilson

Ellen A. Yarrell

Elena and John Young Anonymous

$15,000+

Tad & Suzanne Smith

Dr. Carol Stelling

Justin Stenberg

Mr. and Mrs. Karl Strobl

Consurgo Sunshine

Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D.

Jay & Gretchen Watkins

Dede Weil

Kirin and Joe Wells

Ms. Terri L. West

Vicki West

Larry & Lori Williams

Our Donors

Gail and Louis Adler

Stanford and Joan Alexander Foundation

Marcie & Nick Alexos

Edward H. Andrews III

Mr. and Mrs. David J. Beck

Mr. and Mrs. Sverre

Brandsberg-Dahl

Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Brueggeman

Ralph Burch

Chris and Kori Caddell

Dr. Robert N. Chanon

Dr. Ye-Mon Chen and Mrs. Chaing-Lin Chen

Coneway Family Foundation

Brad and Joan Corson

Andrew Davis and Corey Tu

Dr. Alex Dell

Ms. Elisabeth DeWitts

Dr. & Mrs. George J. Abdo

John and Pat* Anderson

Tom Anderson

Lilly and Thurmon Andress

Rita and Jeffrey Aron

Mr. Jeff Autor

Mr. Theodore H. Barrow

Kimberly and James Bell

Joan H. Bitar, MD

Drs. Henry & Louise Bethea

George Boerger

Mr. Russell Boone

James and Judy Bozeman

Mr. Chester Brooke and Dr. Nancy Poindexter

Barbara A. Brooks

Ms. Deborah Butler

Marilyn Caplovitz

Tatiana and Daniel Chavanelle

Barbara A. Clark & Edgar A. Bering

Donna M. Collins

Evan and Carin Collins

Mr. & Mrs. Byron Cooley

Ms. Miquel A. Correll

Kathy and Frank Dilenschneider

Bonnie and George Dolson**

Mr. William P. Elbel and Ms. Mary J. Schroeder

The Ensell Family

Mr. Parrish N. Erwin Jr.

Dr. Judith Feigin & Mr. Colin Faulkner

Ms. Ursula H. Felmet

Dr. Richard Fish and Marie Hoke Fish

Laurel Flores

Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Fusillo

Bill & Diana Freeman

Valerie Palmquist Dieterich and Tracy Dieterich

Jeanette and John DiFilippo

Vicky Dominguez

Drs. Rosalind and Gary Dworkin

Kelli Cohen Fein & Martin Fein

Mrs. Mary Foster & Mr. Don DeSimone

Grace Ho and Joe Goetz

Sandy and Don L. Harris

Ms. Katherine Hill

Robyn and Richard D. Howe

Barbara and Charles Hurwitz

Mr. Daniel Irion

Dawn James

Marzena and Jacek Jaminski

Debbie & Frank Jones

Lil and Matthew Kades

James & Betty Key

Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Leeke

Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange

Marilyn G. Lummis

Nancy F. Martin

Susan and Michael Mason

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Matiuk

Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow

Terry & Kandee McGill

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Moynier

Tim Ong & Michael Baugh

The Carl M. Padgett Family

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pastorek

Mr. Zeljko Pavlovic

Edlyn & David Pursell

Dr. Douglas and Alicia Rodenberger

Robert K. Rogerson

David and Roz Rowan

Lori Harrington and Parashar

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Gaidos

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Gendel

Dr. Eugenia C. George

Kathy & Albrecht Goethe

Amy Goodpasture

Mr. Mark Grace and Mrs. Alex Blair

The Greentree Fund

Kathryn and Kirk Hachigian

Mary N. Hankey

Deborah Happ & Richard Rost

Barbara and Christopher Hekel

Mrs. Ann G. Hightower

Katherine and Archibald Hill

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Hiller

Steve and Kerry Incavo

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Jankovic

Stephen Jeu and Susanna Calvo

Phil and Josephine John

Beverly Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Joity

Ms. Linda R. Katz

Kathryn L. Ketelsen**

Carey Kirkpatrick

Dr. William and Alice Kopp

Jane and Kevin Kremer

Mr. Kenneth E. Kurtzman

James Lassiter

Paul Leach

Mr. Steve Lee

Golda Anne Leonard

Richard Loewenstern

Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Lowenberg

Ms. Kathy McCraigh

Carol and Paul McDermott

Mrs. Cathy McNamara

Mrs. Anna Mergele

Larry and Lynn Miller

Dr. and Mrs. Jack Moore

Jo Ann and Marvin Mueller

Stephanie Weber and Paul Muri

Aprill Nelson

Bobbie Newman

Kusum and K. Cody Patel

Michael P. and Shirley Pearson

Mr. Robert J. Pilegge

Heather & Chris Powers

Tim and Katherine Pownell

Roland and Linda Pringle

Darla and Chip Purchase

Cris & Elisa Pye

Kathryn and Richard Rabinow

Radoff Family

Dr. and Mrs. George H. Ransford

Vicky and Michael Richker

Jill and Allyn Risley

Fay & George Rizzo

Linda & Jerry Rubenstein

Garry and Margaret Schoonover

Susan and Ed Septimus

Laura & Mike Shannon

Becky V. Shaw

Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Shearouse

Donna and Tim Shen

Mr. & Mrs. Steven Sherman

Mr. and Mrs. Lance Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Quentin Smith

Sandy and George Sneed

Sam & Linda Snyder

Elizabeth and Alan Stein

Jean and Doug Thomas

$10,000+

Christy and Ted Sarosdy

Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Sloan Houston Christian University

Mr. and Mrs. Jim R. Smith

Anthony and Lori Speier

Richard & Mary Spies

Kimberly & David Sterling

Mrs. Marguerite M. Swartz

Mrs. Karen Tell

Carol and Eric Timmreck

Nanako & Dale Tingleaf

Ms. Barbara E. Williams

Mr. & Mrs. Tony Williford

Doug and Kay Wilson

Ms. Beth Wolff

Nina and Michael Zilkha

Anonymous (2)

$5,000+

Susan L. Thompson

Pamalah* and Stephen Tipps

Dr. Brad and Mrs. Frances Urquhart

Mr. and Mrs. David Vannauker

David and Robin Walstad

Nancy and David Webb

Kate and Brook Wiggins

Dr. Robert Wilkins and Dr. Mary Ann ReynoldsWilkins

Nancy B. Willerson**

Doug Williams and Janice Robertson

Woodell Family Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright, Jr.

Mrs. Lorraine Wulfe

Ezra Yacob

Trish and Steve Yatauro

Robert and Michele Yekovich

Erla & Harry Zuber

Anonymous (4)

Our Donors

Dr. Julia Andrieni and Dr. Rob Phillips

Rick Ankrom and Jay Hooker

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Aversenti

Ms. Jacqueline Baly

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Banks

Tatyana and Edward Baumgartner

Margery Anderson and Farhad Bozorgmehr

Mr. Sonny Brandtner

Jane and Ron Brownlee

Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Burns

Justice Brett and Erin Busby

David Bush

Cheryl & Sam* Byington

Margot & John Cater

Lynn Coe

Ms. Jeanette Coon and Thomas Collins

Mr. and Mrs. J. Carlton Cook

Ms. Sandra Cooper

Mrs. Myriam Degreve

Joseph and Rebecca Demeter

Colleen DiFonzo-Lewis

Mrs. Edward N. Earle

Annette and Knut Eriksen

Aubrey* & Sylvia Farb

Wm. David George Ph.D.

Jill Gildroy

Dr. Michael Gillin and Ms. Pamela Newberry

Ms. Lidiya Gold

Julianne & David Gorte

Mrs. Tami A. Grubb

Ms. Lilac Guzman

Dr. & Mrs. Carlos R. Hamilton

Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Houston Haymon

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Herzog

Richard and Arianda Hicks

Mr. Stanley Hoffberger

Rolaine Abramson

Stephen Carroll

Maurine Alfrey

Jorge Alvarez

Sylvia & Edward Arnett

Mr. & Mrs. David M. Balderston

Myra W. Barber

Mr. and Mrs. Ken P. Barrow

Dr. & Mrs. David Barry

Deborah Bautch

Janet & John Beall

Mr. and Mrs. Clarke Bean

Mr. & Mrs. Frank R. Benton

Catherine Bratic & Mike Benza

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bickel

Steven E. Holbrook and Andres Fals

Mr. and Mrs. John Homier

Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Hunton

C. Birk Hutchens

Mr. and Mrs. Rick C. Jaramillo

Mrs. Blanca Jolly

Mady & Ken Kades

Ms. Mandy Kao

Anna Kaplan

Yvette & David J. M. Key

Hoole & Kramr CPAsSamantha and Chris Kramr

Kirk Kveton

Stephanie and Richard Langenstein

Ms. Deborah Laws

Gary T. Leach

Dr. Hilary Beaver & Dr. Andrew Lee

Mr. William W. Lindley

Matthew and Kristen Loden

Kirby and David Lodholz

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Lubanko

Ms. Tama Lundquist

Mr. & Mrs. Peter MacGregor

Tina Maddox

Barbara Manna

David and Heidi Massin

William D. & Karinne

McCullough

Mary Ann & David McKeithan

Mr. & Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams

Stephen & Marilyn Miles

Larry and Lyn Miller

Ginni and Richard Mithoff

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Molloy

David R. Moore

Amanda Morgan

Richard & Juliet Moynihan

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Murphy

Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey B. Newton

Ms. Barbara Nussmann

Macky Osorio

Dr. Michael A. Ozer and Ms. Patricia A. Kalmans

Nancy Parra

George & Elizabeth Passela

Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Payne

Mr. Doug D. Perley & Ms. Eileen M. Campbell

Mrs. Fran Fawcett Peterson

Linda Tarpley Peterson

Mrs. Jenny Popatia in memory of Dr. Tajdin R. Popatia

Mrs. Dana Puddy

Mr. & Mrs. Florante Quiocho

Mr. Juan Carlos Quiroga

Clinton and Leigh Rappole

Dr. Michael and Janet Rasmussen

Dr. and Mrs. William H.

Reading MD

Mr. & Mrs. J.B. Reimer

Mrs. Diane Roederer

Mrs. Adelina Romero

Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Rose

Constance E. Roy

Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Rozenfield

Mr. & Mrs. John Ryder

Mr. Robert T. Sakowitz

Lawrence P. Schanzmeyer

Dr. Mark A. Schusterman

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Seltz

Mr. and Dr. Adrian D. Shelley

Mr. Carlos Sierra

Leslie Siller

Hinda Simon

Mr. Young Son

Georgiana Stanley

Jeaneen and Tim Stastny

Mr. Bill Stubbs

Dr. and Mrs. Van W. Teeters

Mr. Paul Bitner

Ms. Cyndi Bohannon

Helene Booser

Patricia K. Boyd

Joe Brazzatti

Dr. and Mrs. Larry Brenner

Ms. Helen Harding & Dr. Patrick Briggs

Claire Brooks

Mr. Clifford Brown III

Sally and Laurence Brown

Dr. Fred Buckwold

Mr. Frank Busch

Vicki Buxton

Marion & Bill Calvert

Mr. Joseph L. Campbell Jr.

Dorothy E.F. Caram, Ed.D

Mr. & Mrs. Terry Carius

Mr. Theodore Carpenter and Mrs. Stephanie Harrison

Mr. Tripp Carter

Ann M. Cavanaugh

Mr. F. Martin Caylor

Mr. Per Staunstrup

Christiansen

Drs. Anna Chen and John Chung

Mr. James Cleary

Carol Coale

Richard Collins

Dr. Carmen Bonmati and Mr. Ben Conner

Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Cook

$2,500+

Emily H. & David K. Terry

Juliana and Stephen Tew

Musicians of the Houston Symphony Inc.

Courtney & Bill Toomey

Sal and Denise Torrisi

Patricia Van Allan

Katharine & William Van Wie

Dean Walker

H. Richard Walton

Nancy Ames and Danny Ward

Alton and Carolyn Warren

Dr. and Mrs. Richard T. Weiss

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Williams

Ms. Dena Winkler

Scott and Lori Wulfe

Mrs. Linda Yelin

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zabriskie

Anonymous (4)

$1,000+

Ms. Sylvia Lohkamp & Mr. Tucker Caughlen

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Cross

Mr. Carl R. Cunningham

Mrs. Rochelle Cyprus

Dr. Tarek Dammad

Matthew Dangel

Mr. Phillip Davis

Ms. Anna M. Dean

Ms. Elena Delaunay

Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Delgado

Mr. & Mrs. E. E. Deschner

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Dillow

Mr. and Mrs. James P. Dorn

T. Michael Dossey

Mr. James Dyer

Ms. Maudeen F. Eccles

Our Donors

Ramsay M. Elder

Mr. Stephen Elison

Strong Landscaping, LLC

Annette and Knut Eriksen

Mr. & Mrs. J. Richard Espinosa

Mr. & Mrs. James H. Etherton

Beverly and Gerald,Z”l fanarof

Mr. Paul Fatseas

Dr. Jean A. Fefer

Ms. Susan Feickert

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Ference

Larry Finger

Dale & Anne Fitz

Ms. Janet Fitzke

Marilyn and Theodore Flick

Susan Forestier

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Frautschi

Edwin Friedrichs & Darlene Clark

Martin Gambling

Mark Garro and Annie Kurtz

Alyson & Elliot Gershenson

Susan and Kevin Golden

Helen B. Wils & Leonard A. Goldstein

Kathy and Marty Goossen

Mr. and Mrs. K. Lance Gould

Timothy & Janet Graham

Catherine Green

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Greenberg

Drs. Laurie and Lewis Greenberg MD

Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Gregory

Joan DerHovsepian and Erik Gronfor

Richard & Stella Guerra Nelson

Julia C. Gwaltney

Eric and Angelea Halen

Susan and Dick Hansen

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin J. Harberg Jr.

Sheila Heimbinder

Dean & Beth Hennings

Eliane Herring

Mr. & Mrs. W. Grady Hicks

Maureen Y. Higdon

Charles and Jeannette Hight

Theresa Hochhalter

Susan Hodge & Mike Stocker

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hollingsworth

Dr. Holly Holmes

George E. Howe

Dr. Vicki Huff & Dr. Eric Boerwinkle

Mariya Idenova

Mr. Craig Ignacio

Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Jackson**

Ms. Qiana James

Sharon Jamison

Mark A. Jensen

Arlene Johnson

Ms. Kaleta Johnson

Francene Young and Ken Jones

Ms. Elise Kappelmann

Mr. Ara J. Karian

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Katz

Lynda and Frank Kelly

Ms. Kat Khosrowyar

Mr. & Mrs. William H. Knull III

Marcia & Douglas Koch

Mrs. Judy Koehl

Dr. and Mrs. Morton Leonard Jr.

Robert J. Lorio

Tony and Judy Lutkus

Mr. & Mrs. Hubert Magee

Soren & Astrid Marklund

Eric Martin

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Matovich

Patricia McMahon and Joseph F. McCarthy

Mr. David D. McPherson

Ernie and Martha McWilliams

Dr. Amy Mehollin-Ray

Mr. John Meltzer

Mr. Stephen Mendoza

Ms. Kristen Meneilly

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold M. Miller Jr.

Mrs. Jean Mintz

Ms. Roslyn B. Mitchell

Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Moen

Gerry Montalto

Mari Moore

Marguerite and Abraham Moreno

Mary Beth Mosley

Daniel & Karol Musher

Alan & Elaine Mut

Jackie Mutschler

Mr. Rex Naden

Leah Patterson and Dick Nagaki

Jessica & Erick Navas

Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson

Mr. and Mrs. Randolph J. Ney

Ms. Amy Ng

Phong Patrick Nguyen

Leslie & John Niemand

Joy and Gary Noble

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Nocella

Ms. Kathryn O'Brien

Dr. John Oehler and Dr. Dorothy Oehler

Mr. & Mrs. Judith Oliver

John and Kathy Orton

Rochelle & Sheldon Oster

Mr. and Mrs. Marc C. Paige

Mr. William Parker

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph V. Penn

Ms. Leila Perrin

Grace and Carroll Phillips

Georgica Pine

Dr. and Mrs. James L. Pool

David Pulaski and Elia Graves

Judy & Bill Pursell

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Pybus Jr.

Fairfax & Risher Randall

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Rawl

Glenda & David Regenbaum

Brian Rishikof & Elena Lexina

Linda & James Robin

Carolyn Rogan

Ms. Regina J. Rogers

Drs. Alex & Lynn Rosas

Jill and Milt Rose

Rosemarie and Jeff Roth

Brenda and Mansel Rubenstein

Debbie Brooks Ruffing

Dr. Kimberly Ruona**

Kent Rutter and David Baumann

Lisa Rydman

Ramon and Chula Sanchez

Carol and Kamal Sandarusi

Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Sandlin

Donald and Susan Scruggs

Mrs. Lynda G. Seaman

Nicole & Julian Seiguer

Ms. Heidi Seizinger

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Shack

Ms. Diana Skerl

Mr. and Mrs. David Smith

Lawrence Smith

Becky and Sam Smith

Mr. & Mrs. William A. Smith

Dean and Kay Snider

Mr. William T. Snypes and Ms. Suzanne Suter

Betty and Gerry Stacy

Ms. Claudia Standiford

Richard P. Steele and Mary J. McKerall

Mr. & Mrs. Gary Stenerson

Mr. and Mrs. James R.

Stevens Jr.

Bill Stevens

Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Stuart

Amy Sutton and Gary Chiles

Ms. Betsy Mims and Mr. Howard D. Thames

Mr. & Mrs. James G. Theus

Mr. Aaron J. Thomas & Mrs.

Jennifer Chang

Paul Strand Thomas

Suzy Till

Scott Ulrich

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Unger

John and Mary Untereker

Mr. James Walker

Mr. and Mrs. John B. Wallace

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Walt

Ms. Tammi Warfield

Ms. Joann E. Welton

Dr. & Mrs. Brad Wertman

Mr. and Ms. Bradley White

Katherine & William Wiener

Carlton Wilde

Bridget & Brooke Williams

Ms. Dodi Willingham

Larry and Susan Wilson

Mrs. Syalisa Winata

Jennifer R. Wittman

Patricia Wolfe

Jerry & Gerlind Wolinsky

Mr. Jessie Woods

Thomas Yarbrough

Melinda & Alan Young

Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Ziegler

Anonymous (12) *Deceased

and Community Engagement Support

Musician Sponsorship

Dr. Angela Apollo

Scott Holshouser, Principal Keyboard

Dr. Saúl and Ursula Balagura

Charles Seo, Cello

Gary and Marian Beauchamp/ The Beauchamp Foundation

Eric Larson, Double Bass

Nancy and Walter Bratic

Christopher Neal, First Violin

Mr. Gordon J. Brodfuehrer

Maki Kubota, Cello

Mr. Robert Bunch and Ms. Lilia Khakimova

Alexander Potiomkin, Bass Clarinet and Clarinet

As a Musician Sponsor, donors have the opportunity to build a personal connection with one of the musicians in the orchestra. Musician Sponsorships are the best way to support our hard-working musicians and recognize them for the wonderful music they bring to the stage as well as all they do for the community. Musician Sponsors also support the Houston Symphony’s ability to attract and retain the world’s finest talent to the orchestra by demonstrating to prospective musicians, current musicians, and other patrons that our musicians are well-supported and valued. Annual Fund donors can sponsor a section musician at the $15,000+ level and can sponsor a principal or titled musician at the $25,000+ level.

In addition to being able to bond with musicians through several relationship-building Musician Sponsorship events, Musician Sponsors also receive these benefits:

• Access to the Toomim Family Green Room

• Complimentary valet parking and access to the Development Ticketing Concierge

• Invitations to private salon concerts and “Meet the Orchestra” events

• An invitation for two to the annual Musician Sponsorship Dinner held on stage at Jones Hall

Our goal is for every musician in our orchestra to have a sponsor. If you would like to become a Musician Sponsor donor or have any questions about Musician Sponsorships, please contact Alexa Ustaszewski, Major Gifts Officer, at alexa.ustaszewski@houstonymphony.org or 713.337.8534.

Barbara J. Burger

Andrew Pedersen, Double Bass

Mary Kathryn Campion, Ph.D.

Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Drs. Dennis and Susan Carlyle

Louis-Marie Fardet, Cello

Jane Cizik

Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster

Janet F. Clark

MuChen Hsieh, Principal Second Violin

Michael H. Clark and Sallie Morian

Colin Gatwood, Oboe

Virginia A. Clark

Lindsey Baggett, Violin Community-Embedded Musician

Roger and Debby Cutler

Tong Yan, First Violin

Mike and Debra Dishberger

Phillip Freeman, Bass Trombone

Joan and Bob Duff

Robert Johnson, Associate Principal Horn

Andria N. Elkins

Colin Gatwood, Oboe

Aggie L. Foster & Steve Simon

Mihaela Frusina, Second Violin

Steve and Mary Gangelhoff

Judy Dines, Flute

Stephen and Mariglyn Glenn

Christian Schubert, Clarinet

Evan B. Glick

Fay Shapiro, Viola

Suzan and Julius Glickman

Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal Clarinet and E-flat Clarinet

Mary Goodman, Jing Zheng, Second Violin

Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Gorman

Christopher French, Associate Principal Cello

Musician Sponsorship

Mark and Ragna Henrichs

Donald Howey, Double Bass

Carol and Charlie Herder

Nathan Cloeter, Assistant Principal/Utility Horn

Gary L. Hollingsworth and Kenneth J. Hyde

Robert Walp, Assistant Principal Trumpet

Mrs. James E. Hooks

Burke Shaw, Double Bass

Drs. M.S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation/The Kaplan, Brooks, and Bruch Families

Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet

Dr. and Mrs. I. Ray Kirk

John C. Parker, Associate Principal Trumpet

Cindy E. Levit

Adam Trussell, Bassoon and Contrabassoon

Cora Sue and Harry* Mach

Joan DerHovsepian, Principal Viola

Joella and Steven P. Mach

Eric Larson, Double Bass

Mrs. Carolyn and Dr. Michael Mann

Ian Mayton, Horn

Cindy Mao and Michael Ma Si-Yang Lao, First Violin

Mr. and Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen Marks

Brian Del Signore, Principal Percussion

Michelle and Jack Matzer

Kurt Johnson, First Violin

Barbara and Pat McCelvey

Adam Dinitz, English Horn

Muffy and Mike McLanahan

William VerMeulen, Principal Horn

Dr. Eric McLaughlin and Mr. Eliodoro Castillo

Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe

Martha and Marvin McMurrey

Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Dr. Miguel & Mrs. Valerie Miro-Quesada

Leonardo Soto, Principal

Timpani

Rita and Paul Morico

Elise Wagner, Bassoon

Scott and Judy Nyquist

Sheldon Person, Viola

Dr. Susan Osterberg and Mr. Edward C. Osterberg Jr.

MiHee Chung, First Violin

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker

Jeffrey Butler, Cello

Mr. David Peavy and Dr. Stephen McCauley

Jeremy Kreutz, Cello

Gloria and Joe Pryzant

Matthew Strauss,

Associate Principal Percussion

Allan and Jean Quiat

Richard Harris, Trumpet

Laurie A. Rachford

Timothy Dilenschneider, Associate Principal Double Bass

Ron and Demi Rand

Annie Chen, Second Violin

Ed & Janet Rinehart

Amy Semes, Associate Principal Violin

In Memory of Sybil F. Roos

– Ginger Bertrand, Cathey Cook, and Betsy Garlinger

Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet

Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum

Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute

John and Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Anthony Kitai, Cello

Kathy and Ed Segner

Kathryn Ladner, Flute & Piccolo

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Shaffer

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Tad and Suzanne Smith

Marina Brubaker, First Violin

Alana R. Spiwak and Sam L. Stolbun

Wei Jiang, Acting Associate Principal Viola

Justin Stenberg

Brian Mangrum, horn

Mike Stude

Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor

Bradley White, Associate Principal Trombone

Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

Joan DerHovsepian, Principal Viola

Margaret Waisman, M.D. and Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D.

Mark Griffith, Percussion

Stephen and Kristine Wallace

Rian Craypo, Principal Bassoon

Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber

Allegra Lilly, Principal Harp

Robert G. Weiner and Toni Blankman

Anastasia Ehrlich, Second Violin

Vicki West

Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Larry & Lori Williams

Samuel Pedersen, Viola

Steven and Nancy Williams MiHee Chung, First Violin

Jeanie Kilroy Wilson and Wallace S. Wilson

Xiao Wong, Cello

Elena and John Young

Keoni Bolding, Viola

Nina and Michael Zilkha

Kurt Johnson, First Violin

CELEBRATE ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE

2024–25 DONOR EVENTS

Join us in celebrating artistic excellence within our community through the Houston Symphony’s exciting new series of donor events, available exclusively to Classical and Bank of America POPS donors. These gatherings—which include elegant receptions, intimate meet-and-greets, and rehearsals—allow donors to engage closely with the musicians and deepen their connection to the Symphony’s community.

In the 2024–25 Season we are excited to hold 10 special events for Annual Fund donors:

3 MEET THE ORCHESTRA EVENTS

Engage with our talented Symphony musicians, ask questions, and learn about their artistic process.

Access to these unique events begins at the Principal Level ($500+)*.

3 BANK OF AMERICA POPS POST-CONCERT MEET AND GREETS

Meet guest artists and conductors from this season’s exciting POPS programs, including It Don’t Mean a Thing: Swingin’ Uptown Classics with Byron Stripling, Pink Martini with China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Season, and Showstoppers! Celebrating Iconic Women of Broadway.

4 PRIVATE REHEARSALS

Experience the Symphony like never before with a behind-the-scenes look as our musicians prepare for upcoming concerts.

Scan here to learn more about the benefits of giving to your Houston Symphony

There is still time for you to support your Houston Symphony and ensure that you have all your donor benefits for the 2024–25 Season. Donate to the Annual Fund today!

SCAN HERE TO DONATE USING OUR WEBSITE:

SCAN HERE TO DONATE USING PAYPAL:

*Access to these exclusive events varies by donation level. Scan the QR code above or contact Emilie Moellmer, Annual Fund Manager, at emilie.moellmer@houstonsymphony.org to explore our di erent giving levels and find out more about the benefits associated with each.

The Houston Symphony Endowment is organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of the Houston Symphony Society. Our Endowment provides funding for the Symphony’s day-to-day operations costs, supports our Education and Community Engagement initiatives, and helps us keep accessible ticket prices available. Contributions to the Endowment ensure the financial sustainability of your orchestra now and for generations to come.

An Endowed Musician Chair or Named Fund are a few of the most impactful ways to support the Endowment. Named Funds can be designated for general operating support or specific interests or programs, such as our PNC Family Concert Series, New Works, or Music and Wellness programs, among others. Support to the Endowment can be made through a bequest, a gift during your lifetime, or a combination of both. The minimum contribution to establish a Named Fund is $250,000.

An Endowed Musician Chair may be named in the donor’s honor or may be supported anonymously. Endowing a chair provides the Houston Symphony with funds to attract, retain, and support musicians of the highest caliber. An Endowed Musician Chair requires an investment of $1.5 million for a Section Chair, $2.5 million for Associate or Assistant Principal Chair, and $5 million for a Principal Chair.

You can also endow your Annual Fund donation to make sure the programs and goals most important to you continue thriving after your lifetime. When you make a donation 25 times your annual giving amount, your annual gift is funded in perpetuity, creating a legacy of support after your lifetime. When the gift is made, we use a portion of the Endowment each year to fund our programs and reinvest the remainder, allowing it to grow and support annual payouts indefinitely.

Our goal is to increase the size of our endowment by approximately $40 million by 2030. For more information about how you can contribute to the Endowment through a bequest or with a gift during your lifetime, please contact Hadia Mawlawi, Senior Associate, Endowment and Planned Giving, at hadia.mawlawi@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8532.

Houston Symphony Endowment

Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Chair

Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello

Barbara J. Burger Chair Ian Mayton, Horn

The Brown Foundation Guest Pianist Fund

The Brown Foundation Miller Outdoor Theatre Fund in memory of Hanni and Stewart Orton, Legacy Society Co-Founders

Margarett and Alice Brown Fund for Education

Janet F. Clark Fund

The Jane and Robert* Cizik Chair

Chris French, Associate Principal Cello

Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

Juraj Valčuha, Music Director

The Cullen Foundation Maestro’s Fund

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Fund for Creative Initiatives

The Margaret and James Elkins Foundation Fund

The Virginia Lee Elverson Trust Fund

Fondren Foundation Chair Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster

William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Education Programs

The General and Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Memorial Concert 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

General Maurice Hirsch Chair Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute

Houston Symphony Chorus Fund

Drs. M.S. and Marie Luise Kalsi Fund

Joan and Marvin Kaplan Fund

Ellen E. Kelley Chair Eric Halen, CoConcertmaster

Max Levine Chair Yoonshin Song, Concertmaster

Mary R. Lewis Fund for Piano Performance

M.D. Anderson Foundation Fund

Mary Lynn and Steve Marks Fund

Barbara and Pat McCelvey Fund

Barbara and Pat McCelvey Chair Adam Dinitz, English Horn

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Endowed Chair William VerMeulen, Principal Horn

Monroe L. Mendelsohn Jr. Fund

George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Summer Concerts Fund

George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Chair, Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet

Bobbie Nau Chair Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet

C. Howard Pieper Foundation Fund

Walter W. Sapp Fund, Legacy Society Co-Founder

Fayez Sarofim Guest Violinist Fund through the Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts

The Schissler Foundation Fund

Spec’s Charitable Foundation Salute to Educators Concert Fund

$250,000+

The Micijah S. Stude Special Production Fund

Lucy Binyon Stude Chair, Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Endowed Fund

Margaret Alkek Williams Chair Executive Director/CEO

The Wortham Foundation Classical Series Fund in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham

Concert Sponsorship

As a Classical or Bank of America POPS Concert Sponsor you have an opportunity to support the Symphony in a very special and unique way. Sponsoring a concert is a wonderful way to strengthen your connection with the Symphony and to show your commitment to supporting orchestral music in Houston. Get even closer to the music and receive some amazing benefits in return. Concert Sponsorship and Premium Concert Sponsorship are available to Annual Fund donors at the $15,000+ and $25,000+ levels, respectively.

In addition to access to the Toomim Family Green Room, complimentary valet parking, and invitations to other special donor events, Concert Sponsors also receive the following benefits:

• Four complimentary guest concert tickets to your sponsored concert; eight for premium; with Toomim Family Green Room access and valet parking

• Special recognition as Concert Sponsor online, in InTune magazine, and in the hall at your sponsored concert

• Premium Concert Sponsorship includes a private champagne reception or artist greeting, pending artist availability

For more information, please visit our website or call or email Amanda T. Dinitz, Senior Major Gifts Officer at amanda.dinitz@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8541.

POPS Artist Sponsorship

The Bank of America POPS Artist Sponsorship connects donors directly with the guest conductors, guest soloists, and guest artists who perform at Bank of America POPS Series concerts. The POPS Artist Sponsorship offers donors an opportunity to demonstrate enthusiasm for and philanthropic investment in the work happening on our stage. Guest artists appreciate the opportunity to form a meaningful relationship with their artist sponsors and deepen their connection to the Houston Symphony audience. Bank of America POPS Artist Sponsorships are offered at the $25,000+ and $50,000+ levels.

In addition to access to the Toomim Family Green Room, complimentary valet parking, and invitations to other special donor events, POPS Artist Sponsors also receive the following benefits:

• Meet-and-Greet opportunity with the artist and signed keepsake

• VIP night out at the Houston Symphony with complimentary tickets for you and your guests during your sponsored artist’s concert weekend

• Host unlimited guests at a private rehearsal

• Special recognition online, in InTune Magazine, and in the hall on the weekend your sponsored artist is performing

For more information, please contact Katie Salvatore, Major Gifts Officer, at katie.salvatore@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8544

Rebecca & Bobby Jee

Jessica Vosk, Vocalist

Bill Stanley

Lena Hall, Vocalist

Tina Raham Stewart

Steven Reineke, Principal POPS Conductor

Young Associates Council

The Houston Symphony’s Young Associates Council (YAC) is a philanthropic membership group for young professionals, music aficionados, and performing arts supporters interested in exploring symphonic music within Houston’s flourishing artistic landscape. YAC members are afforded exclusive opportunities to participate in musically focused events that take place not only in Jones Hall, but also in the city’s most soughtafter venues, private homes, and trendsetting neighborhood hangouts. From behind-the-scenes interactions with the musicians of the Houston Symphony to unforgettable private performances by world-class virtuosos, the Houston Symphony’s Young Associates Council offers incomparable insight and accessibility to the music and musicians that are shaping the future of orchestral music. For more information, please contact Vivian Gonzalez, Development Officer, at vivian.gonzalez@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8535.

YOUNG ASSOCIATES LEADERSHIP

Kirby Lodholz, Chair

Justin Stenberg, Vice Chair

YAC - CONDUCTOR'S CIRCLE

(as of October 4, 2024)

Lindsay Buchanan, Communications Chair

Laurel Flores, Partnerships Chair

Carrie & Sverre

Brandsberg-Dahl#

David Breece III

Eric D. Brueggeman

Lindsay Buchanan & Brian Fisher#

Heaven Chee

Vicky Dominguez

YAC - VIRTUOSO CIRCLE

Andria N. Elkins

Carolyn & Patrick Gaidos

Roya Gordon#

Rebecca & Andrew Gould

Claudio Gutiérrez

Lori Harrington & Parashar Saikia

Elaine & Jeff Hiller#

Christopher P. Armstrong & Laura Schaffer

Xandro Canales

Charlotta Elizabeth Barø-Hill

Karley Buckley and William

Bald

Emily Bivona & Ryan Manser

Denise & Brandon Davis

Dr. Mhair Dekmezian

YAC

Amber Ali

Kendrick Alridge

Fiona Anklesaria

Mandy Beatriz

David Chaluh

David S. Charles & Julie Dickinson

Lincoln Chen

Aurelia & Jeff Detwiler

Chante Westmoreland

Dillard & Joseph Dillard

Evin Ashley Erdoğdu

Adam Ewald

Laurel Flores#

Patrick B. Garvey

Meesha & Nick Gruy

Jonathan T. Jan#

Veronica Juarez

Maxine Olefsky & Justin Kenney#

Allegra Lilly & Robin Kesselman#

Elissa & Jarrod Martin

Josh McDonald

Amanda Lenertz & Chadd Mikulin

Aprill Nelson#

Tim Ong & Michael Baugh

Liana & Andrew

Schwaitzberg#

Kirby & David Lodholz#

Kelser McMiller

Gwen & Jay McMurrey

Sergio Morales

David R. Moore

Emily & Joseph Morrel

Anna Robshaw

Chicovia Scott

Carlos Sierra

$5,000+

Aerin & Quentin Smith

Justin Stenberg#

Stephanie Weber & Paul Muri

Kathy Zhang-Rutledge & Mack Wilson

$2,500-$5,000

Melanie Smith Young Son

Jeffrey Taylor Owen Zhang

Florence Francis

L. Blaine Fulmer

Kallie Gallagher

Amy Goodpasture

Mario Gudmundsson

Kendall & Chris Hanno

Lauren and C. Birk Hutchens

Lina Liu

Marisa & Tandy Lofland

Joel Luks

Zoe Miller

Marlena Mitchell

David Moyer

Trevor Myers

Tyler Murphy

Lauren Paine

Blake Plaster

Katie Salvatore

Anthony Sanchez Rodriguez

Lee

Tim Sesby

Leonardo Soto

Bryce Swinford

Gabriela Tantillo

Elise Wagner#

Alexander Webb

$1,500-$2,499

Marquis Wincher

Kristin & Leonard Wood

Livestream and Recording Studio Consortium Donors

Donors to the Livestream and Recording Studio Consortium support the Houston Symphony’s exemplary livestream concert series, in-house recording studio, and other media initiatives. The Houston Symphony livestreams nearly every Classical and Bank of America POPS subscription concert for audiences across the world in its Live From Jones Hall series. The livestream series serves music lovers who cannot otherwise easily access Jones Hall or who prefer to enjoy concerts from home or while traveling.

The Houston Symphony is also constructing a recording studio within Jones Hall with new state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality studio room features to support livestream production and enhance current recording operations. The studio—which will be funded, owned, and operated by the Houston Symphony—will also help us build upon previous successes like our 2018 Grammy Award-winning recording of Alban Berg’s Wozzeck. Livestream ticket sales cover about 25 percent of ongoing livestream and recording production expenses—the remainder is supported by donations.

The following donors contribute leadership support of $5,000 or more designated to the Livestream and Recording Studio Consortium. For more information on how to participate, please contact Amanda T. Dinitz, Major Gifts Officer, at amanda.dinitz@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8541.

GUARANTOR

Barbara J. Burger The Elkins Foundation Ms. Leslie Nossaman

UNDERWRITER

Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun

SPONSOR

John & Dorothy McDonald Nancy and Walter Bratic

SUPPORTER

Dr. Robert N. Chanon $100,000+ $50,000+ $25,000+ $10,000+

Legacy Society

The Legacy Society honors those who have included the Houston Symphony Endowment in their long-term estate plans through a bequest in a will, life-income gifts, or other deferred-giving arrangements.

For more information, please contact Hadia Mawlawi, Senior Associate, Endowment and Planned Giving, at hadia.mawlawi@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8532.

CRESCENDO CIRCLE

(as of October 4, 2024)

Dr. and Mrs. George J. Abdo

Priscilla R. Angly

Jonathan and Ann Ayre

Myra W. Barber

Janice Barrow*

Jim Barton

James Bell

Joan H. Bitar, M.D.

Zarine Meherwan Boyce

James* and S. Dale Brannon

Walter and Nancy Bratic

Joe Brazzatti

Terry Ann Brown

Mary Kathryn Campion and Stephen Liston

Drs. Dennis and Susan Carlyle

Janet F. Clark

Virginia A. Clark

Mr. William E. Colburn

Elizabeth DeWitts

Andria N. Elkins

Jean and Jack* Ellis

The Aubrey* and Sylvia Farb Family

Eugene Fong

Mrs. Aggie L. Foster

Stephen and Mariglyn Glenn

Evan B. Glick

Jo A. and Billie Jo Graves

Mario Gudmundsson

Claudio J. Gutiérrez

Deborah Happ and Richard Rost

Don Harris

Marilyn and Bob Hermance

Dr. Charles and Tammie Johnson

Dr. Rita Justice

Mary W. Kenner

Dr. James E. and Betty W. Key

Carey Kirkpatrick

Calvin and Helen Leeke

Mr.* and Mrs. U. J. LeGrange

Joella and Steven P. Mach

Martha and. Alexander Matiuk

Michelle and Jack Matzer

Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow

David Peavy and Dr. Stephen McCauley

Barbara and Pat McCelvey

Bill and Karinne McCullough

Muffy and Mike McLanahan

Cecilia McMaster*

Dr. Georgette M. Michko

Alfred Cameron Mitchell*

Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Mueller

Drs. John and Dorothy Oehler

Gloria G. Pryzant

Dr. Douglas and Alicia Rodenberger

Constance E. Roy

Donna Scott

Charles and Andrea Seay

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Shaffer

Michael J. Shawiak

Louis* and Mary Kay Snyder

Ronald Mikita* & Rex Spikes

David and Helen Stacy

Frank Shroeder Stanford in memory of Dr. Walter O. Stanford

Tina Raham Stewart, in memory of Jonathan Stewart

Jean Stinson*

Mike and Anita* Stude

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

Elba L. Villarreal

Margaret Waisman, M.D. and Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D.

Mr. and Mrs. Fredric A. Weber

Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann

Vicki West in honor of Hans Graf

Susan Gail Wood

Jo Dee Wright

Ellen A. Yarrell

Anonymous (3)

$100,000+ SCAN

Jesse H. Jones Hall Renovation Donors

The Houston Symphony is grateful to those who have generously provided leadership support to the Friends of Jones Hall’s campaign to provide much-needed improvements to the patron experience at Jones Hall.

For more information, please contact Tim Dillow, Senior Director of Development, at timothy.dillow@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8538 or Christine Ann Stevens, Senior Director of Development, christine.stevens@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8521.

(As of October 4, 2024)

Nancy and Charles Davidson

$10 MILLION+

$5 MILLION+

The Brown Foundation, Inc.

The City of Houston / Houston First Corporation

Margaret Alkek Williams

$1 MILLION+

Janice H. Barrow

The Robert and Jane Cizik Family

Janet F. Clark

ConocoPhillips

The Cullen Foundation

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts

The Elkins Foundation

Houston Endowment

Barbara and Pat McCelvey

The Shirley and David Toomim Family

The Wortham Foundation, Inc.

M.D. Anderson Foundation

Anne and Albert Chao

Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks

Beverly and James Postl

Vivian L. Smith Foundation

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

FRIENDS OF JONES HALL

Corporate, Foundation & Government Partners

The Houston Symphony is proud to recognize the leadership support of our corporate, foundation, and government partners that allows the orchestra to reach new heights in musical performance, education programming, and community engagement for Greater Houston and the Gulf Coast Region. For information on becoming a Corporate partner, please contact Sherry Rodriguez, Corporate Relations Manager & Board Liaison, at sherry.rodriguez@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8542. For information on becoming a Foundation or Government partner, please contact Christina Trunzo, Director, Foundation Relations, at christina.trunzo@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8530.

CORPORATE PARTNERS

(As of October 4, 2024)

Principal Corporate Guarantor ($250,000+)

Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods / Spec’s Charitable Foundation**

Grand Guarantor ($150,000+)

ConocoPhillips**

Guarantor ($100,000+)

Bank of America Frost Bank Kalsi Engineering

Underwriter ($50,000+)

Amerapex

Baker Botts L.L.P.*

Chevron** CKP*

Houston Christian University

Sponsor ($25,000+)

EOG Resources

The Events Company*

H-E-B/H-E-B Tournament of Champions** The MasterCaregiver Company

Neiman Marcus*

Partner ($15,000+)

Beam Suntory City Kitchen* Faberge

Supporter ($10,000+)

Accordant Advisors*

American Tank and Vessel, Inc.

Houston First Corporation* Marine Foods Express, Ltd.** Mark Kamin & Associates

Benefactor ($5,000+)

Beck Redden LLP

J-Bar-M Barbecue*

Patron (Below $5,000)

Amazon

Avatar Innovations

Baker Hughes

Christian Dior

KPMG US Foundation, Inc.

Houston Methodist* KTRK ABC-13*

Oliver Wyman* PaperCity*

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo**

Kinder Morgan Foundation** Kirkland & Ellis The Lancaster Hotel*

One Market Square Garage*

Rand Group, LLC*

Sewell

Silver Eagle Distributors Houston, LLC

Truist

Gorman’s Uniform Service Jackson & Company*

New Timmy Chan Corporation

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, L.L.P.

Quantum Energy Partners

Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. University of St. Thomas* Union Pacific**

Mercantil ONEOK, Inc.

Nippon Steel North America, Inc.

Quantum Bass Center* SEI, Global Institutional Group

Shell USA, Inc.**

Nexus Health Systems Oxy** PNC**

Silver Eagle Beverages Tito's Handmade Vodka**

Univision Houston & Amor 106.5FM Vinson & Elkins LLP

Lockton Companies of Houston USI Southwest

Beth Wolff Realtors Vivaldi Music Academy Zenfilm*

Volume Social Club* Wortham Insurance & Risk Management

Smith, Graham & Company

Soren Pedersen Catering & Events*

Stewart Title Company

TAM International, Inc.

Corporate, Foundation & Government Partners

FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (as of October 4, 2024)

Diamond Guarantor ($1,000,000+)

The Brown Foundation, Inc.

Houston Symphony Endowment**

Premier Guarantor ($500,000+)

The Alkek and Williams Foundation

City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Grand Guarantor ($150,000+)

The Cullen Foundation

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts

The Hearst Foundations**

Guarantor ($100,000+)

City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board**

Underwriter ($50,000+)

Beauchamp Foundation

Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment

Sponsor ($25,000+)

The Melbern G. & Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation**

Partner ($15,000+)

Ruth & Ted Bauer Family Foundation**

Houston Symphony League

The Wortham Foundation, Inc.

The C. Howard Pieper Foundation

Texas Commission on the Arts**

The Humphreys Foundation

MD Anderson Foundation

Texas Economic Development

The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation

The Elkins Foundation

LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation

John P. McGovern Foundation**

William S. & Lora Jean Kilroy Foundation

The Houston Arts Combined Endowment Fund

The Powell Foundation**

The Vivian L. Smith Foundation**

William E. & Natoma Pyle Harvey Charitable Foundation**

Supporter ($10,000+)

George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation

Benefactor ($5,000+)

Leon Jaworski Foundation

Patron (Below $5,000)

The Lubrizol Foundation

The Schissler Foundation

The Radoff Family Foundation

The Blanche Stastny Foundation

The Scurlock Foundation

Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation

The Hood-Barrow Foundation Sterling-Turner Foundation

The Pierce Runnells Foundation Strake Foundation**

Keith & Mattie Stevenson Foundation

* Includes in-kind support **Education and Community Engagement Support

2024–25 MAJOR DONOR BENEFITS

Behind every showstopping Symphony performance or inspiring education or community engagement initiative is a group of dedicated and generous donors who make it all possible. When you become a donor, you not only support the Symphony’s mission to provide extraordinary musical experiences for all Houstonians, but you also get access to exclusive benefits that upgrade your Symphony experience!

Classical and POPS donors who give at $10,000 and up receive exclusive benefits, including:

• Access to Toomim Family Green Room at all Houston Symphony Jones Hall performances

• Invitation to all “Meet the Orchestra” events

• Complimentary Valet Parking

• Invitation for two (2) to a salon concert

• Access to Development Ticketing Concierge

• All Virtuoso Circle benefits

Sponsorship Circle supporters receive all benefits of the Conductor’s Circle, plus the opportunity to serve as a Concert Sponsor, Musician Sponsor, or POPS Artist Sponsor. These benefits include:

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MAJOR GIFT OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Amanda T. Dinitz, Senior Major Gifts Officer amanda.dinitz@houstonsymphony.org 713.337.8541

Alexa Ustaszewski, Major Gifts Officer alexa.ustaszewski@houstonsymphony.org 713.337.8534

Katie Salvatore, Major Gifts Officer katie.salvatore@houstonsymphony.org 713.337.8544

SCAN HERE TO

DONATE TODAY:

Concert Sponsor - $15,000+ or $25,000+ for Premium

• Recognition as Sponsor of a Houston Symphony concert in the program, online, and at the performance

• Complimnetary guest tickets (4 for sponsorship, 8 tickets for premium sponsorship) as well as valet parking passes and green room access.

• Premium includes a private champagne reception or artist greeting, pending artist availability

Musician Sponsor - $15,000+ and $25,000+

• Opportunity to sponsor a Houston Symphony musician

• Invitation for two (2) to the annual Musician Sponsorship event

POPS Artist Sponsor - $25,000 and $50,000

• Opportunity to sponsor a guest conductor, soloist, or artist who performs at our Bank of America POPS concerts

• Eight (8) complimentary guest tickets

• Signed keepsake

• Meet and Greet opportunity with sponsored guest conductor, soloist, or artist

NEXT MONTH AT THE SYMPHONY

Do you love the holidays?! If so, are you in luck next month (!), as the Houston Symphony celebrates “the most wonderful time of the year” with no less than seven different concerts in a dazzling plethora of musical styles and genres.

Returning in 2024 are the Symphony’s beloved holiday traditions:

• Very Merry Pops with Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke leading this favorite holiday concert for the first time since 2018.

• Handel’s Messiah, with Jonathan Cohen leading the orchestra, the Houston Symphony Chorus, and a stellar quartet of vocal soloists.

• Holly Jolly Holiday, the family concert geared toward younger audience members for whom it’s not the holidays until St. Nick makes his annual Houston Symphony appearance.

Kicking off the holiday season early next month, the Houston Jazz Orchestra, with vocal ensemble SASS, perform swingin’ versions of holiday favorites like “Joy to the World,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Jingle Bells,” and “O Holy Night,” Swingin’ Christmas With Houston Jazz Orchestra.

Then, in the second concert in Music Director Juraj Valčuha’s Vienna Calling mini-festival, A Viennese Waltz Christmas brings to Texas the more than 80-year-old tradition of the elegant Viennese New Year’s Concert of classical music centered around the waltzes of the Strauss family.

The cultured grandeur of sweeping Viennese Waltzes gives way to the festive exuberance of mariachis as Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez Presents: Jose Hernandez’ Merry-achi Christmas, performing mariachi classics and treasured holiday classics in the mariachi style.

Finally, just days before Christmas itself, let the herald trumpets sound in “Joyful Fanfares: Holiday Brass Spectacular,” as members of the Houston Symphony’s Brass section join forces for a thrilling mix of classical favorites, festive tunes, and traditional carols.

—Eric Skelly

Dec. 1

Dec. 7 & 8

Dec. 12, 14 & 15

Dec. 20, 21 & 22

Nov. 29 & 30, Dec. 1 Dec. 3 Dec. 9 Dec. 14 Dec. 22

23

Beethoven's Emperor Concerto

Dec.

Swingin' Christmas with Houston Jazz Orchestra

Yo-Yo Ma in Concert

Holly Jolly Holiday

Joyful Fanfares: Holiday Brass Spectacular

Vienna Calling Festival: Passport to Vienna

A Viennese Waltz Christmas

Very Merry Pops

Handel's Messiah

Jose Hernandez’ Merry-Achi Christmas

Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez presents:

Chamber Series

HOSTESS, MOSTEST! Meet