InTune | December 2023 by Houston Symphony

InTUNE Andrés Returns

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker

December 2023

Handel’s Messiah

Very Merry Pops

W. Rivercrest

Rivercrest, $4.4+ mil. Sharon Ballas 713.822.3895

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Crestwood Acres, $4.1 mil. Colleen Sherlock 713.858.6699

Oak Estates, $2.9 mil. Caroline King Billipp 713.670.4214

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Saddle Ridge Pass Cypress, $2.9+ mil. Barbara Towne 281.686.8178

River Oaks, $2.1+ mil. Cameron Ansari, 713.942.6811 Teresa Byrne-Dodge

Royden Oaks, $1.8+ mil. Colleen Sherlock 713.858.6699

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Bellefontaine

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Wichita

West University, $1.8+ mil. Cathy Blum 713.320.9050

Ayshire, $1.3+ mil. Houston Symphony Cathy Blum 713.320.9050

West University, $1.6+ mil. Cathy Blum 713.320.9050

Montrose, $620s 4 Jeremy Fain 713.677.4337

Southside Place, $1.5+ mil. Mary Rothwell 713.907.8323

Riverside Terrace, $590s Meg Greenwood Rife 832.578.2594

Your Houston Symphony Welcome to the Houston Symphony Your Symphony Experience 2023–24 Student Concerts Juraj Valčuha, Music Director Orchestra Roster Society Board of Trustees Administrative Staff DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony Meet the Musician: Joan DerHovsepian Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Quiz

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Programs Andrés Returns Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Handel's Messiah Very Merry Pops

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Our Supporters Houston Symphony Donors Music Director Fund Young Associates Council Corporate, Foundation & Gov. Partners Houston Symphony Endowment Legacy Society Musician Sponsorships Jesse H. Jones Hall Renovation Donors

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INTUNE July 2023

welcome to the houston symphony Handel’s Messiah, led this year by Jeannette Sorrell and featuring a stellar line-up of soloists and the magnificent Houston Symphony Chorus under the direction of Dr. Allen Hightower. And finally, we end the month with Very Merry Pops, this year featuring Broadway sensation Mandy Gonzalez along with guest conductor Lucas Waldin and our wonderful Chorus. There are so many ways to celebrate the season with great music this month! Dear Music Lovers,

The holidays are one of my favorite times at the Houston Symphony. Our December concerts are a chance to gather together with friends and loved ones to celebrate the season with music. I’m excited to share what we have in store with you. We start the month with the return of our beloved Conductor Laureate, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, and the amazing Augustin Hadelich on violin. Augustin will play the Shostakovich First Violin Concerto, and the program concludes with that same composer’s Symphony No. 11, The Year 1905, which received its U.S. premiere and first recording from the Houston Symphony under then-Music Director Leopold Stokowski in 1957.

Thank you so much for being with us at Jones Hall, and we can’t wait to welcome you back in the New Year for more exciting concerts, kicking off with Swingin’ Sinatra (Jan. 5–7) and featuring two weeks with Music Director Juraj Valčuha, Concertmaster Yoonshin Song, and the Houston Symphony Chorus (Jan. 12–14 and Jan. 19–21). See you again soon!

The second week of December, our holiday celebration begins. First up, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, with the orchestra playing the beloved score live to film. Then, the Jazz Houston Orchestra under the direction of Vincent Gardner and the Houston Symphony conducted by our new Assistant Conductor Gonzalo Farias join forces for Duke Ellington’s take on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, alongside favorites from the original ballet score.

All my best,

John Mangum Executive Director/CEO Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

We follow that with our annual performances of

Houston Symphony

As we near the end of the year, and we find ourselves in the season of giving, I hope you’ll consider a taxdeductible charitable gift to the Houston Symphony. We serve more than 400,000 people in our Greater Houston Community each year, and more than half of those experience the Symphony through our free and low-cost education and community engagement programming. Two-thirds of the revenue we need to support our programs comes from gifts, and we’re filled with gratitude for our community’s generosity. To learn more about how you can support the Houston Symphony, please see page 49.

Jazz, Love & Gershwin: A Century of Rhapsody in Blue February 2, 3 & 4

February

September

Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe September 29 & 30

Get Up and Dance! February 3 Perlman Conducts Tchaikovsky 5 February 8, 10 & 11

Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe October 1 Lang Lang October 6 Seong-Jin Cho Plays Ravel October 7 & 8

At Last! A Tribute to Etta James March 1, 2 & 3

Barber’s Violin Concerto + Duke Ellington October 14 & 15

Valčuha Conducts Mahler 6 March 15, 16 & 17

GO NOW! A Tribute to The Moody Blues October 27, 28 & 29

Season

Eschenbach Conducts Bruckner 8 February 24 & 25

March

October

Mozart + Beethoven’s Eroica March 22, 23 & 24 Romeo and Juliet + Dvořák’s Cello Concerto March 29 & 30

Halloween Spooktacular for Kids October 28

Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert November 4 & 5

November

Valčuha Conducts Rachmaninoff November 10, 11 & 12 Valčuha Conducts Ravel’s La valse November 17, 18 & 19

I’m a Superhero! April 6

April

21st Century Broadway April 5, 6 & 7

“I Will Survive”—Diva Legends November 24, 25 & 26

Andrés Returns December 1, 2 & 3

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker December 12

Handel’s Messiah December 15, 16 & 17

Very Merry POPS December 20, 21, 22 & 23

January

Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony + Yoonshin Song January 12, 13 & 14 Takemitsu + Brahms’s Requiem January 19, 20 & 21 S

Víkingur Ólafsson Plays Bach January 28

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert May 10 & 11 Itzhak Perlman: In the Fiddler’s House May 12 The Music of Star Wars May 17, 18 & 19

Holly Jolly Holiday December 23

Swingin’ Sinatra: A New Year’s Celebration January 5, 6 & 7

Disney’s Encanto™ in Concert Live to Film April 20 & 21

Pines of Rome + Grieg’s Piano Concerto May 2, 4 & 5

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas December 9 & 10

May

December

Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to The Beatles April 18 & 19

Carmina burana April 26, 27 & 28

Adams’s El Niño May 25 & 26

June

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Blockbuster Broadway with Norm Lewis September 22 & 23

An Alpine Symphony June 1 & 2 Salome in Concert June 7 & 9

Classical Series Bank of America POPS Series

Specials PNC Family Series

your symphony experience JONES HALL

ETIQUETTE

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 20th century.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TICKETS

LOST & FOUND

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.

Subscribers to six or more Classical or Bank of America POPS concerts, as well as PNC Family Subscribers, may exchange their tickets at no cost. Tickets to Symphony Specials or single ticket purchases are ineligible for exchange or refund.

For lost and found inquiries, please contact Patron Experience Coordinator Freddie Piegsa during the performance. He also can be reached at freddie.piegsa@houstonsymphony.org. You also may contact Houston First after the performances at 832.487.7050.

THANK YOU to our sponsors

Principal Corporate Guarantor

Houston Symphony

Official Health Care Provider

Official Television Partner

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2023–24

STUDENT CONCERTS This fall, yellow school buses lined the streets of downtown Houston as students eagerly filed into Jones Hall for the start of the 2023-24 Student Concert Series. The Student Concerts Series, available to Upper Elementary (grades 4–5) and Middle School students (grades 6–8), offers free and low-cost interactive Symphony performances to 350 public, private, and home schools in more than 20 Texas school districts. This season will feature 25 Student Concerts and will serve an anticipated 50,000 students in the Greater Houston area—this is our biggest turnout since before the pandemic; and it’s more than double the number of students served by any other American orchestra through similar concert series. Our Upper Elementary School Concerts began on October 18 at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion for students from Conroe. The program introduces students to the basic elements of the Symphony—the instruments in the orchestra, the musicians who play them, the conductor, and even the audience’s role in a performance. The Middle School Concerts, presented by the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, which kicked off on November 2, are for students who already participate in their school’s orchestra and band programs, with the aim of inspiring students to continue playing their instruments. This year, the program explores friendships between composers and the many ways they demonstrated those friendships through the expression of music. These programs are curated and led by the Symphony’s new Assistant Conductor Gonzalo Farias. "At the Student Concerts, students will encounter a variety of music that will unleash their imagination and curiosity for orchestral music. We hope to connect with them so they can experience the gift that live music is. Music can have the power to unravel who we are and the secret to knowing how to relate to one another with love, respect, and acceptance. We sincerely hope students can take what they experience and learn with us to their own lives, schools, and families.” Gonzalo Farias,

Having previously served as the Associate Conductor of the Kansas City Symphony, Gonzalo is known for his “clear and engaging” conducting style and is excited to build a tangible relationship with the Houston community—including its many students. To enhance the students’ experience, the Symphony’s Community-Embedded Musicians (CEMs) also create video resources for teachers to use with students before and after Student Concerts. These resources explain what to expect at a concert, the themes of the music they’re about to hear, and other classroom activities. “When creating the videos, my hope is to engage the students in active listening around the music they’ll hear at the concert,” says CEM David Connor. “This year we focused on patterns and layers in music; showing examples and dissecting works by Beethoven, Delibes, Ravel, and Bizet.” The CEMs also often make it a point to greet students at concerts after they perform with the Symphony. “When we see them at the concert, we get a lot of excited, ‘Hey, you’re the guys from the video!” remarks David. We’re taking our classroom resources a step further with the return of our pre- and post-Student Concert classroom visits. Available at select schools, these visits allow the CEMs to build a deeper relationship with students through in-person visits and provides interactive experiences that promote a deeper understanding of music. The Student Concert Series is an Education and Community Engagement initiative, which relies on donations from patrons like you. Your support makes it possible for thousands of children in the Houston area to experience the joy of music. If you’d like to donate to the Student Concerts Series or any of our other Education and Community Engagement initiatives, scan the QR code below. —Lauren Buchanan

Scan here to donate to our Education and Community Engagement initiatives

Assistant Conductor

INTUNE December 2023

Juraj valČuha Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

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.

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

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, 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

Houston Symphony

He enjoys regular collaborations with the Minnesota Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, 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 100th 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, 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, and Jessie Montgomery, among others. Including his engagements in Houston, the 2023–24 Season takes him to the Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Chicago, and Minnesota Orchestras as well as to the Yomiuri Nippon Orchestra in Tokyo. On the European stage, he performs Fanciulla del West and Tristan and Isolde at the Bavarian State Opera and at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Jenufa at the Opera di Roma, and Salome at the Semperoper in Dresden. He leads 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. Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, Juraj studied composition and conducting in his birth place, then at the conservatory in St. Petersburg (with Ilya Musin), and finally, at the Conservatoire Supérieur de la Musique in Paris.

INTUNE December 2023

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 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 SECOND VIOLIN MuChen Hsieh, Principal Teresa Wang+, Associate Principal Amy Semes Annie Kuan-Yu Chen Mihaela Frusina Jing Zheng Tianjie Lu Anastasia Ehrlich Tina Zhang Boson Mo Tianxu Liu+ Samuel Park+ VIOLA Joan DerHovsepian, Principal Wei Jiang, Acting Associate Principal Sheldon Person Fay Shapiro Keoni Bolding Samuel Pedersen Suzanne LeFevre+ Elizabeth Golofeev+ Meredith Harris+ Yvonne Smith+

Steven Reineke, Principal POPS Conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Conductor Laureate Allen Hightower, Director Houston Symphony Chorus Gonzalo Farias, Assistant Conductor

DOUBLE BASS Robin Kesselman, Principal Timothy Dilenschneider, Associate Principal Mark Shapiro Eric Larson Andrew Pedersen Burke Shaw Donald Howey Ryan Avila+ FLUTE Aralee Dorough, Principal General Maurice Hirsch Chair Matthew Roitstein*, Associate Principal Judy Dines, Acting Associate Principal Mark Teplitsky+ 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 CLARINET Mark Nuccio, Principal Bobbie Nau Chair Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal Christian Schubert Alexander Potiomkin E-FLAT CLARINET Thomas LeGrand

CELLO Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Chair Christopher French, Associate Principal Anthony Kitai Louis-Marie Fardet Jeffrey Butler Maki Kubota Xiao Wong Charles Seo Jeremy Kreutz

BASS CLARINET Alexander Potiomkin, Tassie and Constantine S. Nicandros Chair

COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED MUSICIANS Lindsey Baggett, violin David Connor, double bass Rainel Joubert, violin

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

ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS Hae-a Lee Anna Thompson

Houston Symphony

BASSOON Rian Craypo, Principal Isaac Schultz, Associate Principal Elise Wagner Adam Trussell

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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 Bradley White, Acting Principal Ryan Rongone+ 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

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2023–24 SEASON

SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Barbara J. Burger President

John Rydman Immediate Past President

Paul Morico General Counsel

Janet F. Clark Chair

Mike S. Stude Chairman Emeritus

Barbara McCelvey Secretary

Jonathan Ayre Chair, Finance

Mary Lynn Marks Chair, Volunteers & Special Events

Bobby Tudor^ At-Large Member

Mark Hughes^ Musician Representative

Mary Fusillo^ President, Houston Symphony League

Adam Trussell^ Musician Representative

Brad W. Corson Chair, Governance & Leadership Manuel Delgado Chair, Marketing & Communications

Robert Orr Chair, Strategic Planning Ed Schneider Chair, Community Partnerships

Evan B. Glick Chair, Popular Programming

John Rydman Chair, Artistic & Orchestra Affairs

Lidiya Gold Chair, Development

Jesse B. Tutor Chair, Audit

Sippi Khurana, M.D. Chair, Education

Steven P. Mach ^ Immediate Past Chairman

James H. Lee^ President, Houston Symphony Endowment Juraj Valčuha^ Music Director, Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

Houston Symphony

Mark Nuccio^ Musician Representative Sherry Rodriguez^ Assistant Secretary ^Ex-Officio

Joan DerHovsepian^ Musician Representative

GOVERNING DIRECTORS Jonathan Ayre Gary Beauchamp Eric Brueggeman Bill Bullock Barbara J. Burger John Cassidy, M.D. Janet F. Clark Lidiya Gold Claudio Gutiérrez William D. Hunt Rick Jaramillo Sippi Khurana, M.D. Carey Kirkpatrick

John Mangum^ Executive Director/CEO Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

EX-OFFICIO Kenny Kurtzman Cindy Levit Isabel Stude Lummis Cora Sue Mach ** Rodney Margolis** Jay Marks ** Mary Lynn Marks Elissa Martin Barbara McCelvey Paul R. Morico Robert Orr Chris Powers John Rydman**

Anthony Speier William J. Toomey II Bobby Tudor ** Betty Tutor ** Jesse B. Tutor ** Gretchen Watkins Robert Weiner Margaret Alkek Williams **

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Brad W. Corson Manuel Delgado Joan DerHovsepian Mary Fusillo Evan B. Glick Mark Hughes James H. Lee Steven P. Mach John Mangum Mark Nuccio Sherry Rodriguez Ed Schneider Adam Trussell 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 Michael H. Clark Virginia Clark Brad W. Corson Andrew Davis, Ph.D. Denise Davis Manuel Delgado 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 Jeff Hiller Grace Ho Gary L. Hollingsworth Brian James I. Ray Kirk, M.D. David Krieger Matthew Loden Steven P. Mach Michael Mann, M.D. Jack Matzer Jackie Wolens Mazow Alexander K. McLanahan** Marilyn Miles Aprill Nelson

Tammy Tran Nguyen Leslie Nossaman Edward Osterberg Jr. Zeljko Pavlovic Gloria G. Pryzant Miwa Sakashita Ed Schneider Andrew Schwaitzberg Helen Shaffer** Robert B. Sloan, D.D., Theol. Jim R. Smith Miles O. Smith** Quentin Smith Mike S. Stude ** Ishwaria Subbiah, M.D. Shirley W. Toomim Margaret Waisman, M.D. Fredric A. Weber Vicki West Steven J. Williams

David J. Wuthrich Ellen A. Yarrell Robert Yekovich

Robert M. Hermance Gene McDavid Janice H. Barrow Barry C. Burkholder Rodney H. Margolis Jeffrey B. Early Michael E. Shannon Ed Wulfe

Jesse B. Tutor Robert B. Tudor III Robert A. Peiser Steven P. Mach Janet F. Clark John Rydman

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 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

EX-OFFICIO John Steven Cisneros, Ed.D. Juan Zane Crawford, Ph. D. Kirby Lodholz Frank F. Wilson IV

**Lifetime Trustee

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. Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Terry Ann Brown

FOUNDATION FOR JONES HALL REPRESENTATIVES Dougal A. Cameron

Janet F. Clark

Barbara McCelvey

INTUNE December 2023

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF SENIOR MANAGEMENT GROUP John Mangum, Executive Director/CEO, Margaret Alkek Williams Chair Elizabeth S. Condic, Chief Financial Officer Vicky Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer Nancy Giles, Chief Development Officer Gwen Watkins, Chief Marketing and External Relations Officer DEVELOPMENT Lauren Buchanan, Development Communications Manager Alex Canales, Development Ticket Concierge Jessie De Arman, Development Associate, Gifts and Records Timothy Dillow, Senior Director, Development Amanda T. Dinitz, Senior Major Gifts Officer Vivian Gonzalez, Development Officer Karyn Mason, Development Officer Hadia Mawlawi, Senior Associate, Endowment and Planned Giving Ben McAndrew, Institutional Giving Associate Meghan Miller, Special Events Associate Emilie Moellmer, Annual Fund Manager Chelsea Murray, Senior Development Associate, Administration Tim Richey, Director, Individual Giving Sherry Rodriguez, Corporate Relations Manager & Board Liaison Katie Salvatore, Development Officer Christine Ann Stevens, Senior Director, Development 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 FINANCE | ADMINISTRATION | IT | HR Henry Cantu, Finance Accountant Kimberly Cegielski, Staff Accountant Richard Jackson, Database Administrator Joel James, Director of Human Resources Tanya Lovetro, Director of Budgeting and Financial Reporting Morgana Rickard, Controller Gabriela Rivera, Senior Accountant Pam Romo, Office Manager/HR Coordinator Lee Whatley, Senior Director, IT and Analytics

Houston Symphony

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MARKETING | EXTERNAL RELATIONS Education and Community Engagement Olivia Allred, Education and Community Engagement Coordinator Jarrett Bastow, Education Manager Allison Conlan, Interim Director, Education and Community Engagement Marketing and Communications Mark Bailes, Marketing Revenue Manager Olivia Cantrell, Content Marketing Coordinator David Early, Marketing and External Relations Assistant Heather Fails, Manager, Ticketing Database Kathryn Judd, Director, Marketing Yoo-Ell Lee, Graphics and Media Designer Fiona Legesse-Sinha, Graphic Design Manager Ciara Macaulay, Creative Director Mariah Martinez, Email Marketing Coordinator Eric Skelly, Senior Director, Communications Alex Soares, Senior Director, Marketing Patron Services Freddie Piegsa, Patron Experience Coordinator 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, Assistant Director, Chorus Nick Kemp, Artistic Operations Assistant Hae-a Lee, Assistant Librarian Giancarlo Minotti, Audio Production Manager Lauren Moore, Associate Director, Concert Media and Production José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager Brad Sayles, Senior Recording Engineer Claudia Schmitz, Artist Liaison and Assistant to the Music Director Stefan Stout, Stage Manager Anna Thompson, Assistant Librarian Meredith Williams, Associate Director, Concert Operations and Production Rebecca Zabinski, Senior Director, Artistic Planning

DELUXE K!DS

IN HARMONY DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony, the Houston Symphony’s community-based music education program in partnership with the Fifth Ward Cultural Arts District’s DeLUXE Theater and the American Festival of the Arts (AFA), is now in its second year. This program, with curriculum created and taught by Symphony Community-Embedded Musicians (CEMs) and assistance from AFA Teaching Artists, provides free comprehensive and enriching violin instruction for elementary school students from the Fifth Ward neighborhood. As the program has expanded since its first year, it has evolved to combine music education with community building and student-led learning to inspire the future generation of passionate musicians. Student-led learning takes center stage in the curriculum this year. Whereas last year’s curriculum taught the basics, this year’s lessons are now based on the student’s skill level—allowing students to set the pace and take charge of their progress by setting personal goals. This approach puts the student first, not the lesson plan. The class is also split into different groups based on skill level so teachers can have one-on-one interactions with students to provide personalized feedback, support, and guidance. The program includes 4.5 hours of instruction per week, but includes more opportunities to perform at community venues around the city—including DeLUXE Theater, museums, senior centers, and even the Jones Hall lobby. These Saturday performances are a chance for students to show off and give back to the community.

activities and grow together socially. In those moments, their skill levels and schools don't matter, they’re all a part of a musical community. Family involvement is also encouraged, creating a strong support network that fuels the students' enthusiasm for music. Family and friends are invited to attend concerts and actively participate in the students’ musical journey. Due to the stellar recruiting and community liaising of Harrison Guy, Director of Arts and Culture for the Fifth Ward Cultural Arts District, we’ve created a musical community that includes not only the students, but their families as well. DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony is a part of the Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives. The Houston Symphony believes all students should have access to quality music education programs. If you’d like to support DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony or our other Education and Community Engagement initiatives, visit houstonsymphony.com/donate. —Lauren Buchanan

Scan here to watch a video about the DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony program!

This year, we welcomed several new and returning students from more than 11 schools in the Fifth Ward—a wider array of schools than we had last year. With this increase in the number and diversity of our students, community building is more important than ever. Classes on Thursdays are community building days, when students play music-based games and Program Guarantor: Dr. Sippi and Mr. Ajay Khurana

INTUNE December 2023

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Corporate Spotlight

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INTUNE December 2023

Featured Program

ANDRÉS RETURNS Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Augustin Hadelich, violin 0:39

SHOSTAKOVICH – Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Opus 99 I. Nocturne: Moderato II. Scherzo: Allegro III. Passacaglia: Andante— IV. Burlesca: Allegro con brio—Presto

INTERMISSION 0:55

SHOSTAKOVICH – Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Opus 103 (The Year 1905) I. The Palace Square— II. The Ninth of January— III. In Memoriam— IV. The Tocsin

Favorite Masters

Houston Symphony

About the Music

Friday, December 1 Saturday, December 2 Sunday, December 3

Jones Hall Jones Hall & Livestream Jones Hall

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Program Insight

Holiday Series Margaret Alkek Williams Spotlight Series The 2023–24 Classical Season is in thanksgiving for Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Thank you to our Houston Symphony Livestream Consortium Donors: Guarantor Barbara J. Burger The Elkins Foundation Underwriter Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Supporter John & Dorothy McDonald Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation through a special gift celebrating the Foundation’s 50th anniversary in 2015 The Classical Season is endowed by The Wortham Foundation, Inc., in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham

8:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 2:30 p.m.

The Houston Symphony has long had a special relationship with the music of Shostakovich. The first time Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11, featured on the second half of this program, was heard on this side of the Atlantic was here in Houston. In April 1958, legendary former Music Director Leopold Stokowski (of Disney’s Fantasia fame) led the orchestra in the United States premiere. The same forces created the first-ever commercial recording of this masterpiece soon after, an account which continues to be critically regarded as among the most stirring interpretations of this symphony ever preserved. Former Music Director Hans Graf and the orchestra took the same work on tour to Moscow in 2012 to great acclaim, and during his time as Music Director, Andrés Orozco-Estrada made the music of Shostakovich something of a specialty, performing the composer’s symphonies regularly throughout his tenure. Memorably, Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony was featured prominently during the Houston Symphony’s 2018 European Tour with Andrés. It is thus fitting that for this return visit, Andrés leads the orchestra in an all-Shostakovich program. Together with internationally renowned guest violinist Augustin Hadelich, Andrés adds another page to the Houston Symphony’s history with Shostakovich’s powerful music this weekend. —Calvin Dotsey

Program Notes SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Opus 99 (1947–48) Dmitri Shostakovich began composing his First Violin Concerto in 1947 during a period of relative calm, but by the time he completed it, his situation had changed completely. Having defeated the Nazis, the Soviet government soon resumed its incessant witch-hunts for enemies within.

Houston Symphony

Program Notes SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Opus 99 (1947–48)

In 1948, Shostakovich and other leading Soviet composers suddenly found that many of their works were banned. Shostakovich’s concerto would thus not be premiered until 1955, after Stalin’s death. Written in four movements, the concerto begins with a somber, meditative nocturne. After this introspective night music, the ensuing scherzo is a wild, frenetic dance. In this movement, Shostakovich introduces, for the first time, a variant of his musical signature: the notes D-E-C-B (in German, these notes are called D-S-C-H, a cypher for D. SCHostokowitsch, the German transliteration of Shostakovich’s name). The inclusion of this motif suggests some hidden autobiographical intent. Soon after, the music arrives at a boisterous, klezmer-inspired central episode. Though not Jewish himself, the revelations of the atrocities of the holocaust combined with intensifying anti-Semitic campaigns in the USSR fueled Shostakovich’s interest in Jewish music. His inclusion of klezmer-inspired passages in this concerto and other works can be interpreted as a veiled protest against the regime. The third movement is a passacaglia, a type of theme and variations in which a bass line is repeated as new melodies are introduced above it. The bass line in this case is an oppressive figure introduced by the cellos and basses. After the soloist enters with an expressive melody, the variations become more intense until the solo violin takes up the bass line itself. The movement ends with mournful, chant-like repeated notes that fade seamlessly into the cadenza, an extended passage for the soloist unaccompanied by the orchestra. In past concertos, cadenzas were normally placed within the first movement. Instead, Shostakovich places his cadenza between movements, as if we have passed into some netherworld where the soloist is completely isolated. The cadenza becomes faster and more intense as it progresses, recalling the DSCH motif. Climaxing with the return of the klezmer theme in the violin’s highest register, the cadenza then accelerates into the finale. Shostakovich marked the last movement “burlesca,” an indication that fits the music’s darkly comic atmosphere. Its mad, virtuoso fiddle music brings the concerto to an unsettling, but thrilling conclusion. —Calvin Dotsey

SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Opus 103 (The Year 1905) (1957)

After the death of Stalin in 1953, the Soviet Union underwent what is known as the “thaw,” a relative relaxation of the extreme censorship to which artists were previously subjected. Shostakovich’s immediate response was his Tenth Symphony. Although this powerful work has no explicit program, many have interpreted the symphony as an autobiographical response to Stalin’s terrifying reign. After completing this monumental work, Shostakovich experienced something of a writer’s block, composing few substantial pieces over the next few years. Then in 1955, he claimed to have begun a new symphony inspired by the 1905 Russian Revolution. The Revolution began on 19

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Program Notes SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Opus 103 (The Year 1905) (1957)

January 9, 1905 (known ever after as Bloody Sunday), when Tsarist soldiers infamously massacred peaceful protesters who had gathered in St. Petersburg’s Palace Square, sparking a full-scale revolution, which Nicholas II and his coterie ultimately quashed. Although the 1905 Revolution is well worth remembering, by 1955 it had also become part of official Soviet history, used by the regime to justify its own existence. Throughout his career, Shostakovich had occasionally promised to compose works inspired by such politically safe, officially sanctioned subjects; frequently, this was simply a stalling tactic to placate authorities while he worked on completely different compositions. Although it is impossible to be certain of the composer’s intentions, the “1905 Symphony” may have begun as such a convenient prevarication, and it might have remained so were it not for history repeating itself in 1956, when Soviet authorities brutally crushed a pro-democracy uprising in Hungary. The symphony, like so many of Shostakovich’s works, could thus have a double meaning: an official, public program about the 1905 Russian Revolution, and a secret, subversive one about the Hungarian uprising, implicitly comparing the Soviet regime to that of the Tsars. Shostakovich did most of the composing for the symphony the year he completed it, 1957. Structurally, the movements follow a slow-fast-slowfast pattern. In keeping with the official program, Shostakovich derives much of the melodic material from popular songs of the Revolutionary era, skillfully weaving the tunes together by deconstructing them to their basic musical building blocks. The first movement, titled “The Palace Square,” opens with icy divisi strings, evoking the late, dim dawn of a St. Petersburg winter. Near the middle of the movement, a pair of flutes introduces the revolutionary song “Listen!” Later, cellos and double basses intone another song, “The Prisoner.” The first movement fades directly into the second, “The Ninth of January,” which draws its main material from a chorus Shostakovich wrote to a poem of the same name. Near the end of the movement, the “Palace Square” music reappears in the woodwinds as a prelude to Shostakovich’s evocation of the massacre. The third movement, “Eternal Memory,” is based on another song, “You Fell as a Victim,” first heard in the violas. The furious finale, “Tocsin,” references several other songs, including “Rage You Tyrants!”; “Boldly, Comrades, On We March”; and the “Varshavianka.” Music from the first two movements also reappears, bringing the symphony to a gripping conclusion. With or without knowledge of the program or Shostakovich’s musical quotations, listeners can clearly hear the terror, anguish, and rage that suffuse every page of this symphony. Shostakovich’s Eleventh Symphony remains relevant as ever, a powerful testament to the horror of violence and the will to resist it. —Calvin Dotsey

Houston Symphony

Program Bios hr-Sinfonieorchester (Principal Conductor 2014–21) and to Houston where he served as Music Director from 2014 to 2022.

Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor Houston Symphony Conductor Laureate Andrés Orozco-Estrada is distinguished as a musician by his energy, elegance, and spirit. After a wonderful collaboration with the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della Rai in May 2022, Andrés was appointed the new Principal Conductor of the Rai Orchestra beginning in the 2023– 24 Season. In the 2025–26 Season, he will take up the position of GMD of the city of Cologne and Gürzenich Kapellmeister. Andrés attaches great importance to inspiring all the people of Cologne with music and for music, and to internationally representing and presenting Cologne as a city of music. Already in the coming season, he will be a guest at the Kölner Philharmonie with a special concert. Debuts and return invitations this season take him to the Vienna Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, the Swedish Radio, the Rotterdam Philharmonic, and the Radio Sinfonieorchester Berlin, among others. He will also return to the

He will accompany the SWR Symphony Orchestra on a tour of Spain and will also tour with the Filarmonica della Scala. Other highlights include a European tour with his Filarmónica Joven de Colombia and violinist Hilary Hahn, which will take him to Paris, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Dortmund, and Switzerland, among other places. He will make his debuts at La Scala in Milan (Mozart’s Figaro) and at the Amsterdam Opera (Beethoven’s Fidelio) where he will conduct the Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest. Andrés also returns to the Staatsoper Berlin after numerous successful productions with a repeat performance of Tosca. Born in Medellín (Colombia), Andrés Orozco-Estrada began his musical education by playing the violin, receiving his first conducting lessons at age 15. In 1997, he moved to Vienna, where he was accepted into the conducting class of Uroš Lajovic, a student of the legendary Hans Swarowsky, at the renowned Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst. Since October 2022, he has been professor of orchestral conducting at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts. 

Augustin Hadelich, violin Ravishing tone, the finest bow arm, a technique far beyond all norms, a sensual and transparent sound, deep insight into each work—this is Augustin Hadelich, one of the greatest violinists of our time. As a soloist, he appears with top international orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Orchestre National de France, Boston Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Augustin, now both an American and German citizen, was born in Italy in 1984 to German parents. He studied with Joel Smirnoff at New York’s Juilliard School. His current standing is the result of a development that is as continuous as it is consistent. Celebrated at the beginning of his career mainly in the United States after winning the International Violin Competition in Indianapolis in 2006, he has since made debuts INTUNE December 2023

Program Bios at all the major festivals in Europe and is now one of the world’s most sought-after soloists. In 2016, Augustin was awarded a Grammy Award for his recording of Henri Dutilleux’s violin concerto L’Arbre des songes. Since 2018, he has been an exclusive artist of Warner Classics. Standing out among numerous recordings is his interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin (2021), which received an unanimously enthusiastic response from the press. Recuerdos, the most recent release, is dedicated to moments inspired by Spain in concertante works by Britten, Prokofiev, and Sarasate.

Not only a passionate performer, he is an equally committed teacher, and was appointed to the faculty of the Yale School of Music as professor in 2021. Augustin Hadelich plays the Leduc, ex Szeryng violin by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù from 1744, on loan from the Tarisio Trust. 

Corporate Spotlights

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Featured Program

Duke ellington's nutcracker Gonzalo Farias, conductor *The Jazz Houston Orchestra, Vincent Gardner, artistic director 0:03 0:03 0:02 0:04 0:03 0:01 0:05 0:02 0:01 0:02 0:02 0:02 0:07 0:04 0:10

TCHAIKOVSKY – Suite from The Nutcracker, Opus 71a: Overture Miniature TCHAIKOVSKY/ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN – Suite from The Nutcracker: 1. Overture TCHAIKOVSKY – Suite from The Nutcracker, Opus 71a: II.a) Marche TCHAIKOVSKY/ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN – Suite from The Nutcracker: 3. Peanut Brittle Brigade (March) TCHAIKOVSKY – The Nutcracker, Opus 71: 7. Scène: Battle TCHAIKOVSKY– Suite No. 2 from The Nutcracker, Opus 71b: 12.a) Chocolate TCHAIKOVSKY/ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN – Suite from The Nutcracker: 9. Arabesque Cookie (Arabian Dance) TCHAIKOVSKY/ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN – Suite from The Nutcracker: 7. Chinoiserie TCHAIKOVSKY – Suite from The Nutcracker, Opus 71a: II.c) Danse Russe, Trépak TCHAIKOVSKY/ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN – Suite from The Nutcracker: 6. The Volga Vouty (Russian Dance) TCHAIKOVSKY/ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN – Suite from The Nutcracker: 2. Toot Toot Tootsie Toot (Dance of the Reed-Pipes) TCHAIKOVSKY – The Nutcracker, Opus 71: 12.f) La mère Gigogne et les polchinelles TCHAIKOVSKY – The Nutcracker, Opus 71a: Valse des fleurs TCHAIKOVSKY/ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN – Suite from The Nutcracker: 8. Dance of the Floreadores (Waltz of the Flowers) TCHAIKOVSKY – Suite No. 2 from The Nutcracker, Opus 71b: Pas de deux

*Houston Symphony debut

HOLIDAY SERIES

Houston Symphony

About the Music

Tuesday, December 12

Jones Hall

7:30 p.m.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Program Notes ELLINGTON The Nutcracker Suite (1960)

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

In Disney’s Fantasia, Deems Taylor introduces Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite as, “a series of dances taken out of a full-length ballet called The Nutcracker that [Tchaikovsky] once composed for the St. Petersburg Opera House. It wasn't much of a success and nobody performs it nowadays, but I'm pretty sure you'll recognize the music of the suite when you hear it.” Although it seems astonishing today when The Nutcracker is by far the most often-performed ballet each year, what Taylor said was true in 1940: after its premiere in December 1892, the ballet itself was rarely performed—only the Suite remained popular. The ballet at last became the holiday classic it is today when choreographer George Balanchine created his celebrated production of it in New York in 1954. It appears the ballet’s true audience was not the Russian aristocracy, but American families with little girls enrolled in ballet lessons. Soon, The Nutcracker became ubiquitous each December. No one knows exactly what inspired Duke Ellington and his creative partner Billy Strayhorn to create their own version of the Suite in 1960, but perhaps the ballet’s newfound popularity played a role. Around the same time, they gave a similar treatment to Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite. In a 1966 interview, Strayhorn provided some insight into his and Ellington’s creative process: “It took us a bit of time to consider how we were going to do them. The actual writing was nothing. You could do that overnight. It was the preparation that was tremendous. In both cases, we had to consider the composers. They’re not dead. They’re alive and that’s their music, and we didn’t want to offend them. Arriving at the treatment we gave them was agonizing. The Tchaikovsky took six months. We went through them and played those pieces over and over again. We listened to them and talked about them. I flew to California and back. But after we decided what to use, and how to treat it—then you could sit down and do it in a day.” Both works reference the tradition of “jazzing the classics” in which jazz musicians would use popular classical tunes as a basis for improvisation, but these pieces go far beyond this practice. In effect, Ellington and

Houston Symphony

Program Notes ELLINGTON The Nutcracker Suite (1960)

Strayhorn recomposed Tchaikovsky’s music in their own style, creating one of their wittiest and most sophisticated experiments (Tchaikovsky, incidentally, had done something similar in 1887 with his Mozartiana Suite, in which he reorchestrated pieces by Mozart, his favorite composer). Ellington and Strayhorn frequently slow down the fey patter of Tchaikovsky’s orchestra, introducing a heavy swing to the famous tunes. Particularly ingenious is the way they translate the colors of Tchaikovsky’s orchestration for jazz band, preserving key contrasts between instrumental groups while transforming the overall sound. In some instances, they abridge Tchaikovsky’s dances, while in others they expand them, creating space for improvisatory solos. Ellington and Strayhorn also reorder the suite, ending not with the fanfare of "Waltz of the Flowers" (titled “Dance of the Floreadores” in the Ellington/ Strayhorn version—Ellington fully indulged his gift for playful titles throughout the Suite), but with the sultry Arabian Dance (or “Arabesque Cookie”). Listeners familiar with Tchaikovsky’s original will be enchanted by the score’s unexpected twists and turns, which make this well-known music sound fresh and new. —Calvin Dotsey

Program Bios

Jazz Houston Jazz Houston promotes the cultivation of jazz music globally through performance, education, and community outreach, and honors the Houstonians and Texans who have and continue to be major contributors to jazz through the celebration of their legacies and the performance of their works. Jazz Houston's vision is to sustain a swinging, world-class resident iazz orchestra comprised of the

finest musicians, and to present programming that demonstrates the richness and variety of jazz from all of its eras. Equally important is the commitment to enriching the world through educating all ages on the fascinating history of this music, which is ripe with examples of great integrity, stellar musicianship, and life lessons that translate into contemporary times. Jazz Houston is a vibrant organization that explores the entirety of jazz while preserving and promoting the music for the greater Houston community and beyond. Jazz Houston programs jazz concerts and educational programs annually. At the center of their performance vision is the 15-member Jazz Houston Orchestra, comprised of some of the most accomplished and outstanding musicians in the 27

world today. As only the second jazz institution in the United States to support a resident jazz orchestra, their dynamic ensemble explores the varied array of styles within jazz, while also celebrating its history and contributing new works to its cannon. To showcase the diverse musical and cultural heritage of Houston, the organization strives to collaborate with artists from other genres including gospel, pop, orchestral music, and R&B. In addition, they create experiences that mesh jazz with other performing arts disciplines such as theater, opera, and dance. Outside of those performances featuring their resident orchestra, Jazz Houston also presents various national and international artists in concert. 

INTUNE December 2023

Featured Program

Handel’s Messiah *Jeannette Sorrell, conductor

*Amanda Forsythe, soprano *Cody Bowers, countertenor *Ed Lyon, tenor Kevin Deas, bass-baritone Houston Symphony Chorus Allen Hightower, director 2:30 HANDEL – Messiah Part the First 1. Symphony: Grave 2. Accompagnato (Tenor), Comfort ye, my people 3. Air (Tenor), Ev’ry valley shall be exalted 4. Chorus, And the Glory of the Lord 5. Accompagnato (Bass), Thus saith the Lord of Hosts 6. Air (Alto), But who may abide the day of His coming 7. Chorus, And He shall purify the sons of Levi Recitative (Alto), Behold, a virgin shall conceive— 8. Air (Alto) and Chorus, O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion 9. Accompagnato (Bass), For behold, darkness shall cover the earth 10. Air (Bass), The people that walked in darkness 11. Chorus, For unto us a Child is Born 12. Pifa: Larghetto e mezzo piano Recitative (Soprano), There were shepherds abiding in the field—

13. Accompagnato (Soprano), And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them Recitative (Soprano), And the angel said unto them— 14. Accompagnato (Soprano), And suddenly there was with the angel— 15. Chorus, Glory to God in the highest 16. Air (Soprano), Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion 18. Chorus, His yoke is easy, His burthen is light

INTERMISSION Part the Second 21. Chorus, Surely, He hath borne our griefs— 22. Chorus, And with His stripes we are healed— 23. Chorus, All we like sheep have gone astray 24. Accompagnato (Tenor), All they that see Him, laugh Him to scorn 25. Chorus, He trusted in God 26. Accompagnato (Tenor), Thy rebuke hath broken His heart 27. Arioso (Tenor), Behold, and see if there be any sorrow 28. Accompagnato (Tenor), He was cut off out of the land of the living— 29. Air (Tenor), But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell 34a. Air (Soprano), How beautiful are the feet 36. Air (Bass), Why do the nations so furiously rage together?— 37. Chorus, Let us break their bonds asunder Recitative (Tenor), He that dwelleth in Heaven— 38. Air (Tenor), Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron 39. Chorus, Hallelujah Part the Third 40. Air (Soprano), I know that my Redeemer liveth 41. Chorus, Since by man came death 42. Accompagnato (Bass), Behold, I tell you a mystery 43. Air (Bass), The trumpet shall sound 47. Chorus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain— Amen

*Houston Symphony debut

HOLIDAY SERIES

29 31

INTUNE December 2023

About the Music

Friday, December 15 Saturday, December 16 Sunday, December 17

Jones Hall Jones Hall & Livestream Jones Hall

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Program Notes

Grand Guarantor Thank you to our Houston Symphony Livestream Consortium Donors: Guarantor Barbara J. Burger The Elkins Foundation Underwriter Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Supporter John & Dorothy McDonald Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation through a special gift celebrating the Foundation’s 50th anniversary in 2015

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.

HANDEL Messiah (1741) In the 18th century, the measure of success for every composer was opera. Handel spent his journeyman years in Hamburg and Italy, and his success as a composer of Italian operas—the Italians hailed his Agrippina with cries of “Viva il caro Sassone” (Long live the beloved Saxon)— brought him to London, where his opera Rinaldo premiered in 1711. For the next three decades, he composed more than 30 operas for various theaters there, but by the mid-1730s, the audience for his operas was shrinking and London’s operatic scene was characterized by intrigue and competition. Handel’s operatic seasons were increasingly unprofitable and fraught with strife; at the same time, the public demonstrated a keen interest in his English-language oratorios. These works combined sacred subjects with the techniques of dramatic composition Handel had mastered during his long career as an operatic composer, and many of them included the kind of elaborate choral writing characteristic of the composer’s sacred and occasional output. Handel took a last stab at opera with Deidamia, which opened in January 1741 at the Lincoln’s Inn Fields Theatre, where Handel was mounting his 1740–41 season. Deidamia held the stage for only three performances; the one on February 10 was the last performance of a Handel opera under his direction. Aware of Deidamia’s disappointing reception, one of Handel’s old collaborators, Charles Jennens, tried to whet the composer’s appetite for a new project. Jennens had already written the libretto for the oratorio Saul and the text for the third part of L’allegro, il penseroso, ed il moderato; in a letter dated July 10, 1741, he wrote, “Handel says he will do nothing next Winter, but I hope I shall perswade him to set another Scripture Collection I have made for him, & perform it for his own Benefit in Passion Week. I hope he will lay out his whole Genius & Skill upon it, that the Composition may excel all his former Compositions, as the Subject excels every other Subject. The Subject is Messiah.”

Houston Symphony

Program Notes HANDEL Messiah (1741)

So, we have Handel, in the summer of 1741, facing an uncertain future in London and contemplating taking a winter off, with Jennens’s scripture collection kicking around his house on Brook Street. An invitation from Ireland to participate in a charitable season of oratorio concerts “for the relief of prisoners in several gaols, and for the support of Mercer’s Hospital in Stephen’s Street, and of the charitable infirmary on the Inns Quay” couldn’t have come at a more opportune time, and Handel decided to spend the 1741–42 season in Dublin. He composed Messiah in August and September, while still in London. The modest forces employed indicate that Handel intended the work to travel. (Handel’s oratorios for London, Saul for example, typically display more lavish orchestration.) Handel most likely did not work closely with Jennens during composition; in fact, the writer was surprised to learn the composer was planning a Dublin premiere. “I heard with great pleasure at my arrival in Town, that Handel had set the Oratorio of Messiah,” Jennens wrote in a letter dated December 2, “but it was some Mortification to hear that instead of performing it here he was gone into Ireland with it.” Handel started his Dublin season on December 23 with a performance of L’allegro at the Great Music Hall in Fishamble Street, the site of all of his Dublin concerts. The premiere of Messiah on April 13, 1742, marked the culmination of his time there. It was a resounding success. The Dublin Journal reported that at the open rehearsal, the work “was performed so well, that it gave universal Satisfaction to all present; and was allowed by the greatest Judges to be the finest Composition of Musick that ever was heard…” and heaped similar praise on the premiere: “Words are wanting to express the exquisite Delight it afforded the admiring crouded Audience. The Sublime, the Grand, and the Tender, adapted to the most elevated, majestick, and moving Words, conspired to transport and charm the ravished Heart and Ear.” The work has since established itself as the most popular of its kind, affirming the genius of Handel’s pursuit of English-language oratorio. He never wrote another opera after Deidamia, but Handel followed Messiah with 15 further Englishlanguage oratorios. We have Messiah to thank for paving the way for such disparate works as Haydn’s Creation, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, and John Adams’s El Niño. Handel’s Messiah is in three parts. Part One describes the advent and birth of Christ, with the chorus “For unto us” demarcating the transition from one to the other. Part Two details the life of Christ, his resurrection, his ascension to heaven, the preaching of the gospel by his apostles, and a vision of his ultimate victory. Part Three celebrates the redemption of humankind—its eventual resurrection and receipt of eternal life—brought about by Christ’s death. The work opens with a “Sinfony,” Handel’s first use of the operatic French overture form (dotted grave introduction followed by a contrapuntal allegro moderato) in one of his oratorios. The work’s richest accompanied recitative follows, with a vocal line whose heightened expression and use of repetition takes the number into arioso territory. The vigor of the ensuing aria, “Ev’ry valley,” with its word-painting for

INTUNE December 2023

Program Notes HANDEL Messiah (1741)

“the crooked straight, and the rough places plain,” sets the tone for the first half of Part One, as Jennens lays out a series of prophetic texts anticipating the coming of Christ; Handel matches them with music of great variety, contrast, and inventiveness. Throughout Part I, the music seems to be moving toward D major, from the D-minor alto aria “But who may abide” through the D-major alto aria and chorus “O thou that tellest,” to the chorus “Glory to God,” where the trumpets enter for the first time to reinforce D major. In Part Two, Handel wanders away from D major in a sequence of numbers depicting the suffering of Christ on earth. For example, one of Messiah’s most moving numbers, the alto aria “He was despised,” is in E-flat major, as far away as Handel could get from D major. The key choice allows for a deeply humane portrayal of Christ—the warmth and nobility of the strings in the opening ritornello is certainly Handel at his most eloquent—while simultaneously underscoring the distance the “man of sorrows” depicted in the aria has to travel to reach the triumphant D major of the “Hallelujah” chorus’s celebration of Christ enthroned alongside God that closes Part Two. The custom of standing during the chorus dates from the first London performance of Messiah, which took place on March 23, 1743. The 18th-century Scottish essayist and poet James Beattie explains the origins of the tradition in a 1780 letter: “When Handel’s ‘Messiah’ was first performed, the audience was exceedingly struck and affected by the music in general; but when that chorus struck up, ‘For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth,’ they were so transported they all, together with the king (who happened to be present), started up, and remained standing till the chorus ended: and hence it became the fashion in England for the audience to stand while that part of the music is performing.” Part Three opens with one of the most astoundingly conceived arias in Handel’s output. Throughout Messiah, Handel comes up with original musical solutions to the problems posed to an 18th-century composer by Biblical texts. Where 18th-century poetry typically presents one constant affect or emotion, the Bible’s ancient verses delight in contrast, and Handel had to rethink musical forms rooted in 18th-century poetry to set Messiah’s Biblical texts. In the case of “I know that my redeemer liveth,” Handel takes three contrasting ideas—“I know that my redeemer liveth,” “And tho’ worms destroy this body,” and “For now is Christ risen”— and crafts a sort of rondo form, with “I know that my redeemer liveth” functioning as the main theme, and the sections beginning with “And tho’ worms destroy this body” and “For now is Christ risen” acting as contrasting material. But the whole is constructed so artfully, with such expressive unity, that Handel’s formal innovation is (probably properly) overlooked, his art transcending his craft. “I know that my redeemer liveth” again places us far afield from D major (the aria is in E major), but Handel soon brings back D major in “The trumpet shall sound,” an aria that could have come straight from the opera house. Its three-part, A-B-A structure (in this case, dal segno rather than da capo) and its obbligato trumpet are exactly what an opera audience would expect for a triumph aria.

Houston Symphony

Program Notes HANDEL Messiah (1741)

Messiah closes with a resplendent chorus that brings together all of the musical and dramatic threads running through the work. It is the grandest chorus Handel ever wrote, with an opening combining solemnity and celebration followed by a fugal “Amen” of overwhelming power. It marks the culmination of a work that has become an icon of western culture—even if you know nothing else about classical music, you know the “Hallelujah” chorus. Edward Synge, the Bishop of Elphin and one of the leading Irish ideologues of the 18th century, captured this in his summation of the work: “As Mr. Handel in his oratorio’s greatly excells all other Composers I am acquainted with, So in the famous one, called The Messiah he seems to have excell’d himself. The whole is beyond any thing I had a notion of till I Read and heard it. It Seems to be a Species of Musick different from any other, and this is particularly remarkable of it. That tho’ the Composition is very Masterly & artificial, yet the Harmony is So great and open, as to please all who have Ears & will hear, learned & unlearn’d.” —John Mangum

Program Bios

Jeannette Sorrell, conductor Grammy-winning conductor Jeannette Sorrell is internationally recognized as one of today’s most compelling interpreters of Baroque and Classical repertoire. She is the subject of the 2019 documentary by Oscar-winning director Allan Miller, titled Playing with Fire: Jeannette Sorrell and the Mysteries of Conducting. Bridging the period-instrument and symphonic worlds from a

young age, Jeannette studied conducting under Leonard Bernstein, Roger Norrington, and Robert Spano at the Tanglewood and Aspen music festivals and studied harpsichord with Gustav Leonhardt in Amsterdam. She won First Prize in the Spivey International Harpsichord Competition, competing against more than 70 harpsichordists from Europe, Israel, the United States, and the Soviet Union. As a guest conductor, Jeannette made her New York Philharmonic debut in 2021 and Philadelphia Orchestra debut in 2022, both to rave reviews. She has repeatedly conducted the Pittsburgh Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Utah Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, and New World Symphony and has also led the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (Bach’s St. John Passion), the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, Los Angeles Chamber

Orchestra, Opera St. Louis with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Grand Rapids Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, and Philharmonia Baroque, among others. This spring, she debuts with Spain’s Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León. As founder and conductor of Apollo’s Fire, she has led the renowned ensemble at BBC Proms, Carnegie Hall, the Madrid Royal Theatre, Irish National Concert Hall, Library of Congress, and many international venues. Jeannette and Apollo’s Fire have released 30 commercial CDs, including 11 bestsellers on the Billboard classical chart and a 2019 Grammy winner. Her CD recordings of the Bach St. John Passion and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons have been chosen as best in the field by the London Sunday Times (2020 and 2021). Her Monteverdi Vespers was chosen by BBC Music Magazine as one of “30 Must-Have

INTUNE December 2023

Program Bios Recordings for Our Lifetime” (September 2022). Other albums include the complete Brandenburg Concerti of Bach (Billboard Classical Top 10 in 2012), four discs of Mozart, and five creative multicultural programs. With more than 12 million views of her YouTube videos, Jeannette has attracted national attention and awards for creative programming. 

Amanda Forsythe, soprano Amanda Forsythe is internationally recognized as a leading interpreter of Baroque and Classical repertoire. She sang Eurydice on the 2015 Grammy-winning recording of Charpentier’s La descente d'Orphée aux enfers. Alongside her other many recordings for Boston Early Music Festival and Boston Baroque, her debut solo album of Handel arias The Power of Love with Apollo’s Fire on the Avie label earned widespread critical acclaim. On the opera stage, she has sung Semele (Philadelphia), Pamina in Die Zauberflöte (Rome, Seattle, and Die Komische Oper, Berlin), Iris in Semele (Seattle), Marzelline in Fidelio, Nannetta in Falstaff,

Houston Symphony

Amour in Orphée, Manto in Steffani’s Niobe (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden), Jemmy in Guillaume Tell, Corinna in Il viaggio a Reims and Rosalia in L’equivoco stravagante (Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro), and Dalinda in Ariodante (Geneva and Munich). Her collaborations include performances with leading baroque ensembles, including the Philharmonia Baroque, Tafelmusik, Handel and Haydn Society, Music of the Baroque, Boston Baroque, Vancouver Early Music, Apollo’s Fire, and Pacific Musicworks. Her long-standing collaboration with Boston Early Music Festival has included a number of recordings and roles in Baroque operas and concerts, attracting high critical acclaim. She is a regular soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Sileti venti and Laudate pueri; Schubert Mass in E-flat; Vivaldi Magnficat and Gloria) and the New York Philharmonic (Messiah, St Matthew Passion) and has also performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Academy of Ancient Music, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, and Lucerne Symphony Orchestra. Conductors she has worked with include Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Nicholas Kraemer, Nicholas McGegan, Andris Nelsons, Sir Antonio Pappano, Christophe Rousset, and Jaap van Zweden. Engagements in 2023 and 2024 include Israel in Egypt with Apollo’s Fire, Sileti venti with Boston Baroque in Boston and 36

Prague, excerpts from Bach’s Easter Oratorio and Pergolesi Stabat Mater with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Jael in Handel’s Deborah for NDR Radiophilharmonie, Mozart Requiem with New York Philharmonic, Handel arias and duets with Tafelmusik, Vivaldi “Storm and Tempests” at Caramoor Festival with Apollo’s Fire, and Handel arias and Mozart Coronation Mass with Chicago Symphony. 

Cody Bowers, countertenor With “a voice of rare beauty” (Seen and Heard International, 2022), American countertenor Cody Bowers (Instagram: @MrMezzo) has received national award recognition from The Sullivan Foundation, The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, and The George London Foundation for Singers. In the 2023-24 performance season, Cody makes debuts with the New York Philharmonic in Handel’s Israel in Egypt, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in a world premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff’s The Sacrifice of Isaac, the Houston Symphony in Handel’s Messiah, the Metropolitan Opera in John Adams’s El Niño, and St.

Program Bios Petersburg Opera as Ruggiero in Handel’s Alcina. In previous seasons, Cody has performed with Merola Opera Program at San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, the Stern auditorium at Carnegie Hall, San Diego Opera, Minnesota Opera, Utah Opera, the Atlanta Opera, Boston Early Music Festival, Opera Neo, Tanglewood Music Center, and Cantos Para Hermanar al Mundo in Torreón, Mexico. On the operatic stage, he continues to expand a broad and contrasting list of characters that range from the Refugee in Jonathan Dove’s Flight, Ottone in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Tolomeo in Handel’s Giulio Cesare, Federico Garçia Lorca in Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar, Leonardo in Gabriela Lena Frank’s new opera El último sueño de Frida y Diego, L’Enfant in Ravel’s L’Enfant et Les Sortilèges, and Orlando in Handel’s Orlando. As a concert performer, Cody has performed numerous works by J. S. Bach, including St. John Passion, St. Matthew Passion, Magnificat, Christmas Oratorio, and Mass in B minor. Other concert credits include Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri, Ralph Vaughn William’s Mass in G minor, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Mozart’s Mass in D major. He is also an active member of internationally celebrated ensembles like Gramophone Award-winning Blue Heron Renaissance Choir, The Handel and Haydn Society, Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra, The Thirteen, Bach Society Houston, VAE: Cincinnati, Ensemble Altera, and The Choir at the Church of the Advent.

Permanently based in New Haven, Connecticut, when he isn’t singing, Cody enjoys tending his many houseplants, brushing his two cats, Lily and Leonard, and exploring new recipes with his husband. 

Ed Lyon, tenor Ed Lyon studied at St John’s College Cambridge, the RAM, and the NOS. He has a wide repertoire ranging from the Baroque to contemporary music and has appeared in many of the world’s leading opera and concert venues, including the ROH, Glyndebourne, Bayerische Staatsoper, Dutch National Opera, Teatro Real, Edinburgh, Aix, Salzburg, Holland and Aldeburgh Festivals, and the BBC Proms. Career highlights include the main role in Denisov’s L’écume des jours (Stuttgart Opera); Steva/Jenufa (Opera North); Lurcanio/ Ariodante, Steurerman/Der fliegende Holländer, and Walther/ Tannhäuser (ROH); Don Ottavio/ Don Giovanni and Lurcanio (Scottish Opera); Jaquino/Fidelio (Madrid); and Alessandro/ Eliogabolo (Dutch National Opera). Recent and future engagements include Tamino/Die Zauberflöte, Don Gomez/Henry VIII (La Monnaie), Septimius/Theodora

(Covent Garden and Madrid), Lurcanio (New Israeli Opera), Belmonte/Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail and the main singer in Clorinda Agonistes (The Grange Festival), Quint/The Turn of the Screw and the title role in Orfeo (Garsington), Eduardo/Ades’s Exterminating Angel (Salzburg Festival and ROH), title role in Candide (WNO), performances worldwide of The Diary of One Who Disappeared in a staged production with Musiktheater Transparent, and Ferdinand/ Miranda (Oper Köln). Concert performances include Evangelist/St. Matthew Passion with the Bach Choir, Evangelist and arias/St. John Passion with the RLPO, War Requiem with the NDR Hanover and the RLPO, a tour of Europe and the United States performing Beethoven 9 with the Monteverdi Choir, and Orchestra/ Sir John Eliot Gardiner, The Apostles with the Hallé Orchestra/ Sir Mark Elder, as well as many concert performances with leading international orchestras and ensembles. His recording 17th Century Playlist, with the Theatre of the Ayre has received wide acclaim as has Arnold’s The Dancing Master for Resonus Classics. 

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Program Bios

Kevin Deas, bass-baritone Kevin Deas has gained international renown as one of America’s leading bass-baritones. He is perhaps most acclaimed for his signature portrayal of the title role in Porgy and Bess, having performed it with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, as well as the most illustrious orchestras on the North American continent, and at the Ravinia, Vail, and Saratoga festivals. Kevin’s 2023–24 Season includes performances of Mozart’s Requiem with the Vermont Symphony and Mobile Symphony; Handel’s Messiah with the Houston Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, National Cathedral, and the NAC Orchestra in Ottawa. Other notable performances in the season include a Gershwin program with the Oregon Symphony and Rochester Philharmonic, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Pacific Symphony, Brahms’s German Requiem with the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra; and he will perform the role of Commendatore in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Boston Baroque, as well as the role of Dick Hallorann in Paul Moravec’s critically acclaimed opera The

Houston Symphony

Shining with the Opera Atlanta. Other recent highlights include performances with New York Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Portland Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Phoenix Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony. A proponent of contemporary music, Kevin has performed Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors at Italy’s Spoleto Festival, Derek Bermel’s The Good Life with the Pittsburgh Symphony, and Hannibal Lokumbe’s Dear Mrs. Parks with the Detroit Symphony. He also enjoyed a 20-year collaboration with the late jazz legend Dave Brubeck. Kevin has recorded Wagner’s Die Meistersinger (Decca/London) with the Chicago Symphony under Sir Georg Solti and Varèse's Ecuatorial with the ASKO Ensemble under Riccardo Chailly. Other releases include Bach's Mass in B minor and Handel's Acis and Galatea (Vox Classics), Dave Brubeck's To Hope! with the Cathedral Choral Society (Telarc), Haydn's Die Schöpfung with the Virginia Symphony and Boston Baroque (Linn Records), and Dvořák in America (Naxos). 

JURASSIC PARK IN CONCERT June 22 & 23, 2024

THE MUSIC OF THE ROLLING STONES June 28 & 29, 2024

houston symphony chorus Allen Hightower Director Julia Hall Assistant 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.

ALLEN HIGHTOWER Dr. Allen Hightower, a seventh-generation Texan, is director of the Houston Symphony Chorus beginning in the 2022–23 Season. He is the director of choral studies at the University of North Texas, where he leads the master’s and doctoral programs in choral conducting and oversees a comprehensive choral program of eight ensembles. He serves as conductor of UNT’s A Cappella Choir, Grand Chorus, and the early music vocal ensemble Vox Aquilae. As a teacher and conductor, Allen has visited 30 states, Asia, and Europe. His students hold leadership positions as choral conductors in public schools, colleges, universities, churches, and community choirs throughout the United States. Prior to joining UNT, Allen held the Weston Noble Endowed Chair in Music at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he was conductor of the renowned Nordic Choir and artistic director of Christmas at Luther. Previously, he served as professor of music and director of choral studies at Sam Houston State University and taught at the high school level in the Houston and Odessa areas. Outside the academic setting, Allen was Houston Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra’s artistic director, leading an annual concert series of choral/ orchestral masterworks. As a deeply committed church musician, he has served churches in Texas, California, and Minnesota. Currently, he is on the music staff of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, and is the church music vice-president of the Texas Choral Directors Association. Allen earned his undergraduate degree in music education and piano from Sam Houston State University, a master’s in choral conducting from the Eastman School of Music, a master’s in orchestral conducting from Baylor University, and his doctorate in conducting from the University of California, Los Angeles. He pursued additional studies in orchestral and choral conducting at the University of Southern California, at Westminster Choir College, and the Oregon Bach Festival. After winning first prize in the graduate division of the American Choral Directors Association’s Conducting Competition in 1997, he was assistant to Paul Salamunovich, conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Allen lives in McKinney, Texas, with his wife, Dr. Kristin Hightower, and their daughters, Caroline and Julianne.

Houston Symphony

CHORUS ROSTER Christin Abbott

Randy Eckman

Melissa Adams

Paul Ehrsam

Mary Ann Addis

Georgia Elgohary

Ayden Adler

Leanna Elkins

Bob Alban

Nicole Elliott

Aura Alden

Monica Ely

Kelsie Andrews

Chris Fair

Mark Anstrom

Brianna Fernandez

Keith Anthis

Amanda Fetter-Matthys

Christina Aranda

Ian Wayne Fetterley

Allison Arnold

Julia FitzGerald

Brian K. Lassinger

Dylan Marcus Rivera

Mansi Baxi

Jim Friedhofer

Nathan Lazenberry

Douglas Rodenberger

Justin Becker

Kathryn Fry

Jiapei Yang Li

Carolyn Rogan

Madison Blanco

Joseph S. Frybert

Suly Liu

James Romig

Dave Blassingame

Frank Gassmann VI

Rachel Lootens

Jennifer Romig

Sarah Blumhardt

Rachel Giedraitis

Benjamin K. Luss

Missy Roth

Randy Boatright

Michael Glen Gilbert

Brendan Lutes

Marta Salazar

Criselda A.Bocanegra

Robert Lee Gomez

Mark Standridge

Emily Elizabeth Sanders

Angela Bongat Seaman

Gabriela Gonzalez

Mariah R. Martinez

Tiffany Sau

John Lee Bonner

Daniel Gorelick

Lisa Marut-Shriver

Tony Sessions

Jonathan Bordelon

Melisa Gultan

Ken Mathews

Cory Andrew Smith

Nancy Shelton Bratic

Dana Haas

Jessica Melancon

Ashley Sorensen

Paul Brennan

Susan Hall

Ana Isabel Mendoza

Dewell Springer

Kirsten Brents

D.J. Hampton

Scott Mermelstein

Mark Standridge

Kristen Bullock

Beth Ann Hibbs

Melissa Miles

Carol Strawn

Marissa Cano

Marlea Hoover Hodgin

Andrea Lee Mitchell

Suzanne Thacker

Doni L. Hickmott-Carder

Kathleen Holder

William L. Mize

Lisa Rai Trewin

Danielle Charvoz

Chase Holub

Travis N. Mohle

Paul Van Dorn

Tatiana Chavanelle

MaryKate Hotaling

James K. Moore

Sarai Villatoro

William K. (Bill) Cheadle

Catherine Howard

Lydia Musher

Mary Voigt

Alysse Chivonne

George Howe

Robert Nash

Natalie Voogt

Ishani Chowdhury

Sylvia J. Hysong

Benedict Tri Nguyen

Beth Anne Weidler

Nancy Christopherson

Stephen James

Nam Nguyen

David Weiser

Nicole Colby-Bordelon

Jill Jensen

Theresa Olin

David Wellborn

Violaine Cornu

Stephen Jensen

David M. Opheim

Crystal Lynn White

Matthew Cramerus

Jenny Jou

Janwin Overstreet-Goode

Natalie White

Paul Dabney

Elise A. Kappelmann

Bill Parker

Lance Thomas Wilcox

Andrés Davila

Chris Kersten

Corita Parker-DuBose

John Williams

Lindsey Davila

Gretchen Kersten

Jennifer S. Paulson

Lee Estes Williams

Kevin Do

Michael Kessler

Lauren Price

Grace Zeinieh

Cara Dodd

Mark H. Kim

Greg Railsback

David Frank Zurawski

Christine Donley

Nobuhide Kobori

Karen Ramirez Cabrera

Michael Dorn

Elizabeth Kragas

Maria Ramos

EmilyAnn Duffley

Kat Kunz

Rafael Ramos

Steve Dukes

Yoka Larasati

Linda Renner

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Featured Program

Very merry pops Lucas Waldin, conductor *Mandy Gonzalez, vocalist Houston Symphony Chorus, Allen Hightower, director Julia Hall, chorus preparation 0:03 0:03 0:04 0:02 0:03 0:03 0:05 0:04 0:05 0:03 0:04

B. BROUGHTON/J. VINSON – Overture to Miracle on 34th street HERMAN/R. WENDEL – “We Need a Little Christmas” from Mame POLA-WYLE/S. REINEKE – “It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” PIERPONT/P. HEMMER – “Jingle Bells” COOTS-GILLESPIE/C. WALDEN – “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” KENT-GANNON/TROTTER – “I'll Be Home for Christmas” Arr. D. GOELLER – Christmas Fantasy for Orchestra Arr. D. CHASE – “The First Noël” BERLIN/L. BLANK – Irving Berlin Holiday Medley TAYLOR-BROOKS-STANLEY/D. MCKENZIE – “(Everybody's Waitin' for) The Man With the Bag” SHAYNE/K. DAVIS – “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

INTERMISSION 0:08 0:03 0:04 0:04 0:05 0:06 0:02

J. STEPHENSON– Holiday Fanfare Medley No. 1 Arr. M. HAYES – Opening Medley from What Sweeter Music: A Festival of Carols T. ELLISON-S. COLE – “Christmas Morning” GREENE/R. FLEISCHER– “Mary, Did You Know?” HERBERT– March of the Toys from Babes in Toyland ADAM/M. PODD– “O Holy Night” Arr. D. GOELLER– Christmas Carol Sing-Along Arr. B. HEALEY– “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”

*Houston Symphony debut

HOLIDAY SERIES

POPS SERIES

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About the Music

Wednesday, December 20 Thursday, December 21 Friday, December 22 Saturday, December 23

Jones Hall Jones Hall Jones Hall Jones Hall & Livestream

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Program Insight •

Vocalist Mandy Gonzalez is best known for her portrayal of Nina Rosario in the Tony-Award winning musical In the Heights, but did you know she also wrote a novel titled Fearless? Aimed at middle-grade readers, this book tells the story of a group of young performers who must solve the mystery behind their haunted theater.

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When a holiday ditty was first printed by a Boston music publishing house in 1857, it was released under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh.” The song was reissued two years later with the more familiar title of "Jingle Bells."

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The movie Miracle on 34th Street was filmed during a particularly cold New York winter in the late 1940s. On several occasions, the cameras literally froze! A woman who lived across the street from the outside scenes allowed the crew to warm up in her house.

•

The Disney film Babes in Toyland was based on a 1903 operetta with the same name by Victor Herbert. Prior to Disney's production, the operetta appeared on the big screen as a 1934 Laurel and Hardy film.

Grand Guarantor

Partner Joella & Steven P. Mach Sponsor Mrs. Carolyn and Dr. Michael Mann Sponsor Nancy G. Lobb Sponsor Thank you to our Houston Symphony Livestream Consortium Donors: Guarantor Barbara J. Burger The Elkins Foundation Underwriter Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Supporter John & Dorothy McDonald Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation through a special gift celebrating the Foundation’s 50th anniversary in 2015

Houston Symphony

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Program Bios She can also be heard as the voice of Mei in Disney’s Mulan 2.

Lucas Waldin, conductor

Mandy Gonzalez, vocalist

Lucas Waldin is a dynamic and versatile conductor whose performances have delighted audiences across North America. He has collaborated with some of today’s most exciting artists, including Carly Rae Jepsen, The Barenaked Ladies, Crash Test Dummies, Ben Folds, The Canadian Brass, and Buffy SainteMarie, in addition to conducting presentations such as Disney in Concert, Blue Planet Live, Cirque de la Symphonie, and the groundbreaking symphonic debut of R&B duo Dvsn as part of the global Red Bull Music Festival.

Mandy Gonzalez possesses one of the most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time. Mandy starred in the megahit Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler and originated the role of Nina Rosario in the Tony Awardwinning Broadway musical, In the Heights, for which she received a Drama Desk Award. She has starred as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked, blowing the roof off New York’s Gershwin Theatre each night as she belted out the signature song, “Defying Gravity.”

In addition to the Houston Symphony, Lucas has been a guest conductor for numerous orchestras in the United States and Canada, including The Cleveland Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Dallas Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Grant Park Festival Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, and National Arts Centre Orchestra, among many others. A native of Toronto, Ontario, he holds degrees in flute and conducting from the Cleveland Institute of Music. 

A frequent concert soloist, Mandy has performed with symphony orchestras around the country, including the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, Boston Pops, Philly Pops, Cleveland Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Fort Worth, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Arkansas, Anchorage, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Youngstown Symphonies, among many others. She released her debut album, Fearless, with Warner Music which debuted at #13 on the iTunes charts. Her album–hailed as “a genredefying, highly personal, daring, and brilliant debut” (Pop Bytes)–delivers new, original songs from some of the most accomplished writers in the music industry, including LinManuel Miranda, Jennifer Nettles, Bill Sherman, and Tom Kitt. An accomplished author, Mandy recently published her successful Young Adult novel series, Fearless, published by Simon and Schuster. 

Mandy received an OBIE Award and overwhelming critical praise for her performance in the OffBroadway production of Eli’s Comin’—directed by Diane Paulus, and based on the music and lyrics of singer-songwriter Laura Nyro. Television viewers have had the pleasure of seeing Mandy in her recurring roles in the hit series Madam Secretary and Bull, and alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short in Only Murders in the Building. Equally at home on the big and small screen, she has appeared in Across the Universe, directed by Julie Taymor; After, starring opposite Pablo Schreiber; and Man on a Ledge with Sam Worthington.

INTUNE December 2023

CLASSICAL MYSTERY TOUR: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES April 18 & 19 | Jones Hall

Houston Symphony Concert Sponsor

DISNEY’S ENCANTO™ IN CONCERT LIVE TO FILM April 20 & 21 | Jones Hall

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Family series

February 3, 10 & 11:30 a.m. All ages · Wiggles welcome

Swingin’ Sinatra: A New Year’s Celebration Jan. 5, 6 & 7 | Jones Hall

POPS SERIES

Give the Gift of

Music Thanks to the generosity of patrons like you, the Houston Symphony has had a special start to the 2023–24 season! Your ongoing support has made it possible for us to provide unforgettable musical experiences in Jones Hall, free performances at venues around Houston, industryleading educational programs for children, and more! SCAN HERE TO MAKE A DONATION:

Your contribution is instrumental in allowing us to continue to reach our community through the gift of music. This holiday season, help your Symphony spread warmth and joy through a contribution to the Annual Fund today! Thank you and Happy Holidays!

We are so grateful for everything you do for your Symphony—to ensure that your gift is tax deductible this year, make the Symphony a part of your year-end giving.

INTUNE December 2023

Musician Sponsorships The Houston Symphony’s orchestra consists of 90 artistically gifted musicians who work tirelessly to bring the joy of music to audiences in Houston and beyond. Last season alone, the Symphony performed 122 concerts at Jones Hall for the Classical Series, Bank of America POPS Series, PNC Family Series, Special concerts, and Student Concerts Series. Not to mention the hundreds of additional free or low-cost community concerts musicians performed at hospitals, senior centers, schools, and other community venues around the Houston area. One of the best ways donors can connect with the hard-working musicians who bring wonderful works of music to life and recognize all they do for the community is through Musician Sponsorships. Houston Symphony donors at the Sponsorship Level and above ($15,000 and $25,000) can support their favorite orchestra musicians and form a personal relationship through interacting with them at Musician Sponsorship events. Through Musician Sponsorships and musician chair endowments, the Houston Symphony attracts and retains the world’s finest talent to our 90-member full-time orchestra. The support of our donors demonstrates to prospective musicians, current members, and patrons alike, that our musicians are well-supported, and that our institution is financially sound. With auditions for ten open orchestra

positions set for the 2023–24 Season, now is the best time to show artists from around the world that the Houston Symphony values our musicians.

In addition to supporting our orchestra, donors who sponsor musicians also receive special benefits such as: •

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

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Invitations to salon concerts

•

Access to the Symphony’s Development Ticketing Concierge, complimentary valet parking, and more.

Sponsors also receive an invitation for two to the Musician Sponsorship Dinner; it’s the perfect opportunity for donors and musicians to bond as members of the Houston Symphony family. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a sponsor for every musician in the orchestra? If you’d like to learn more about Musician Sponsorships, please contact Alexa Ustaszewski, Major Gifts Officer, at Alexa.Ustaszewski@HoustonSymphony.org or 713.337.8534. See page 61 for a list of current Musician Sponsors. Scan here to learn more about Musician Sponsorships and other ways you can support the Houston Symphony.

Houston Symphony

Saturday, January 27, 2024 Co-Chairs Tammie & Dr. Charles Johnson and Drs. Alice Mao Brams & Matt Brams Honorees Brigitte & Bashar Kalai Dr. Sippi Khurana Betty & Jesse Tutor

Please join the Houston Symphony for a dazzling celebration at The Post Oak Hotel that will connect Vienna and America’s cultures for one glamorous evening! This white-tie affair will feature marvelous entertainment, a gourmet multi-course dinner by Executive Chef Jean-Luc Royere with meticulously selected wine pairings by Lindy and John Rydman of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods, an unmatched dance floor, and a silent auction filled with luxury items and experiences. All proceeds from the event and auction benefit the Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives. For information on purchasing tickets or tables, please contact Stacey Swift, Director of Special Events at stacey.swift@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8523.

Vienna Fête Impériale Auction Sneak Peek

Patti Lennon-Potter

Scan here to purchase tickets and tables.

Our Donors Annual Support

$150,000+

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 Tim Richey, Director, Individual Giving, at tim.richey@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8531.

Gary and Marian Beauchamp/ The Beauchamp Foundation Barbara J. Burger Janet F. Clark Dr. Sippi and Mr. Ajay Khurana** Barbara and Pat McCelvey

Bobbie Nau John & Lindy Rydman / Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Mike Stude Bobby and Phoebe Tudor Margaret Alkek Williams

As of October 31, 2023

$100,000+ Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle Jane and Robert* Cizik Virginia A. Clark** Joan and Bob Duff Drs. M.S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi Max Levit Cora Sue and Harry* Mach** Michael H. Clark & Sallie Morian Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

$50,000+ Edith & Robert Zinn

Edward and Janette Blackburne** Mr. Robert Boblitt Jr. Anne & Albert Chao Aggie L. Foster & Steve Simon Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn Gary L. Hollingsworth & Kenneth J. Hyde Mr. and Mrs. Bashar Kalai Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen Marks John L. Nau III

Ms. Leslie Nossaman Robin Angly & Miles Smith Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Terry Thomas Shirley W. Toomim Hallie A. Vanderhider Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann Stephen and Kristine Wallace**

Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation/The Kaplan, Brooks, and Bruch Families Mr. and Mrs. Parker Johnson Cheryl Boblitt and Bill King Mr. and Mrs. David B. Krieger Mr. & Mrs. U. J. LeGrange Cindy E. Levit Joella & Steven P. Mach Beth Madison Mrs. Carolyn and Dr. Michael Mann Barry and Rosalyn Margolis Family Mr. & Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis** Muffy and Mike McLanahan

Dr. Miguel & Mrs. Valerie Miro-Quesada Katie and Bob Orr / Oliver Wyman Mr. David Peavy and Dr. Stephen McCauley Revati Puranik Laurie A. Rachford Donna Scott and Mitch Glassman Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum Margaret & Joel Shannon Toni A. Oplt and Ed Schneider Mr. Jay Steinfeld and Mrs. Barbara Winthrop Kathy & Ed Segner Dr. John R. Stroehlein and Miwa Sakashita Tad & Suzanne Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tsuru Drs. Carol & Michael Stelling Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber Steven & Nancy Williams Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wallace S. Wilson Cecilia and Luciano Vasconcellos Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Jay & Gretchen Watkins Ellen A. Yarrell** Dede Weil Vicki West Mr. Daniel Irion Ms. Laurie Rachford Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tsuru Anonymous

Eugene Fong Steve and Mary Gangelhoff Clare Attwell Glassell Suzan & Julius Glickman Mr. & Mrs. Fred L. Gorman Claudio J. Gutiérrez Claudia & David Hatcher Mark & Ragna Henrichs Mrs. James E. Hooks 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 Michelle & Jack Matzer Dr. Eric McLaughlin and Mr. Eliodoro Castillo Marvin and Martha McMurrey Tammy and Wayne Nguyen Scott and Judy Nyquist Dr. Susan Osterberg and Mr. Edward C. Osterberg, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker Gloria & Joe Pryzant Jean and Allan Quiat Ron and Demi Rand Ed & Janet Rinehart Mr. Floyd W. Robinson Ann Roff

Mrs. Sybil F. Roos Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum Toni A. Oplt and Ed Schneider Kathy & Ed Segner Tad & Suzanne Smith Drs. Carol & Michael Stelling Cecilia and Luciano Vasconcellos Margaret Waisman, M.D. & Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Jay & Gretchen Watkins Dede Weil Vicki West

$25,000+ Farida Abjani Dr. Angela R. Apollo Ann & Jonathan Ayre Dr. Saúl and Ursula Balagura Dr. Gudrun H. Becker Eric D. Brueggeman Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Elsenbrook Ms. Carolyn Faulk The Marvy Finger Family Foundation** Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Firestone Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel Evan B. Glick Catherine and Brian James

$15,000+ Nina K. Andrews** Anne Morgan Barrett Nancy and Walter Bratic Mr. Gordon J. Brodfuehrer Terry Ann Brown Mr. Bill Bullock Mr. Robert Bunch and Ms. Lilia Khakimova Mary Kathryn Campion & Stephen Liston Roger and Debby Cutler Valerie Palmquist Dieterich and Tracy Dieterich Mike and Debra Dishberger Connie Dyer Sidney Faust

** Education and Community Engagement Donor * Deceased Houston Symphony

Our Donors $10,000+ Marcie & Nick Alexos Edward H. Andrews III Mr. and Mrs. David J. Beck James and Dale Brannon Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Brueggeman Lindsay Buchanan Ralph Burch Dr. Robert N. Chanon Coneway Family Foundation Brad and Joan Corson Andrew Davis & Corey Tu Dr. Alex Dell Vicky Dominguez

Drs. Rosalind and Gary Dworkin Mrs. Mary Foster & Mr. Don DeSimone Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Gaidos Nancy D. Giles Grace Ho and Joe Goetz Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves Mr. and Mrs.* Jerry L. Hamaker Ms. Katherine Hill Marzena and Jacek Jaminski Dr. Rita Justice

Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Leeke Marilyn G. Lummis Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Mason Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm L. Mazow John & Dorothy McDonald Terry & Kandee McGill The Carl M. Padgett Family Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pastorek Mr. Zeljko Pavlovic Lila Rauch* Robert K. Rogerson Lori Harrington and Parashar Saikia

Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Sloan Houston Christian University Mr. and Mrs. Jim R. Smith Anthony and Lori Speier Mr. and Mrs. Karl Strobl Drs. Ishwaria & Vivek Subbiah Mrs. Marguerite M. Swartz Mr. & Mrs. Tony Williford Doug and Kay Wilson Ms. Beth Wolff Robert and Michele Yekovich Nina and Michael Zilkha Anonymous

Edwin Friedrichs & Darlene Clark Dr. Eugenia C. George Amy Goodpasture Mr. Mark Grace and Mrs. Alex Blair The Greentree Fund Mr. David Grzebinski Mary N. Hankey Deborah Happ & Richard Rost Mr. & Mrs. Frank Herzog Maureen Y. Higdon Mrs. Ann G. Hightower Katherine and Archibald Hill Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Hiller Steve and Kerry Incavo Mr. Michael Jang Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Jankovic Stephen Jeu and Susanna Calvo Phil and Josephine John Beverly Johnson Dr. Charles Johnson & Tammie Johnson Mr. and Mrs. John F. Joity Debbie & Frank Jones Ms. Linda R. Katz Carey Kirkpatrick Mr. Mark Klitzke and Dr. Angela Chen Dr. William and Alice Kopp Mr. Kenneth E. Kurtzman Mr. Steve Lee Golda Anne Leonard Matthew and Kristen Loden Richard Loewenstern Alison and Ara Malkhassian Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Matiuk Ms. Kathy McCraigh

Carol and Paul McDermott Mr. & Mrs. William B. McNamara Mr. Stephen Mendoza Dr. and Mrs. Jack Moore Rita and Paul Morico Jo Ann and Marvin Mueller Aprill Nelson Katherine & Jonathan Palmer Kusum and K. Cody Patel Michael P. and Shirley Pearson Mr. Robert J. Pilegge Mrs. Jenny Popatia in Memory of Dr. Tajdin R. Popatia* Heather & Chris Powers Tim and Katherine Pownell Darla and Chip Purchase Edlyn & David Pursell Cris & Elisa Pye Kathryn and Richard Rabinow Radoff Family Dr. and Mrs. George H. Ransford Vicky & Michael Richker Jill and Allyn Risley Dr. Douglas and Alicia Rodenberger Linda & Jerry Rubenstein Susan D. Sarofim Garry and Margaret Schoonover Susan and Ed Septimus Laura & Mike Shannon Donna and Tim Shen Mr. & Mrs. Steven Sherman Mr. and Mrs. Lance Smith Mr. and Mrs. Quentin Smith Sam & Linda Snyder Richard & Mary Spies Susan L. Thompson

Carol and Eric Timmreck Nanako & Dale Tingleaf Pamalah* and Stephen Tipps Dr. Brad and Mrs. Frances Urquhart Mr. and Mrs. David Vannauker David and Robin Walstad Nancy B. Willerson** Ms. Barbara E. Williams Doug Williams and Janice Robertson Loretta & Lawrence Williams Ms. Tara Wilson Woodell Family Foundation Mrs. Lorraine Wulfe Erla & Harry Zuber Ms. Tama Lundquist Ms. Jacqueline Baly Elizabeth and Alan Stein Mr. & Mrs. Hans Strohmer Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Bowman Ms. Cynthia Diller*/** Ms. Mandy Kao Anonymous (8)

$5,000+ Dr. & Mrs. George J. Abdo Mr. Tom Anderson Lilly and Thurmon Andress Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron Mr. Jeff Autor Mrs. Bonnie Bauer Kimberly and James Bell Joan H. Bitar, MD Mrs. Vada Boyle James and Judy Bozeman Mr. and Mrs. Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl Mr. Chester Brooke and Dr. Nancy Poindexter Barbara A. Brooks Ms. Deborah Butler Kori and Chris Caddell Marilyn Caplovitz Tatiana and Daniel Chavanelle Dr. Ye-Mon Chen and Mrs. Chaing-Lin Chen Darleen & Jack Christiansen Barbara A. Clark & Edgar A. Bering Donna M. Collins Evan and Carin Collins Mr. & Mrs. Byron Cooley Ms. Miquel A. Correll Ms. Elisabeth DeWitts Jeanette and John DiFilippo Kathy and Frank Dilenschneider The Ensell Family Mr. Parrish N. Erwin Jr. Paula & Louis Faillace Kelli Cohen Fein & Martin Fein Ms. Ursula H. Felmet Dr. Richard Fish and Marie Hoke Fish Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Franco Bill & Diana Freeman

** Education and Community Engagement Donor * Deceased

INTUNE December 2023

Our Donors $2,500+ Dr. Julia Andrieni and Dr. Rob Phillips Rick Ankrom Ms. Jacqueline Baly Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Banks Mr. Theodore H. Barrow Consurgo Sunshine Tatyana and Edward Baumgartner Drs. Henry & Louise Bethea Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bickel Mr. and Mrs. Gerald W. Bodzy George Boerger Mr. Russell Boone Mr. Matt Brams and Mrs. Alice Mao Joe Brazzatti Jane and Ron Brownlee Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Brueggeman Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Burns Justice Brett and Erin Busby David Bush Cheryl & Sam* Byington Ms. Greta Carlson Mr. Steve Carroll & Ms. Rachel Dolbier Margot & John Cater Mr. Per Staunstrup Christiansen Ms. Sandra Cooper Mr. and Mrs. John Dabbar Mrs. Myriam Degreve Ms. Cynthia Diller*/** Mrs. Edward N. Earle Mr. John Egbert and Ms. Kathy Beck Mr. William P. Elbel and Ms. Mary J. Schroeder Mrs. Christina Fontenot Mr. and Mrs. David French Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Fusillo Mr. Alejandro E. Gallardo

Ms. Leslie Gassner Wm. David George Ph.D. Dr. Michael Gillin and Ms. Pamela Newberry Kathy & Albrecht Goethe Ms. Lidiya Gold Julianne & David Gorte Rebecca and Andrew Gould Mr. William Gray and Mrs. Clare Fontenot-Gray Cortney Guebara Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Hall Dr. & Mrs. Carlos R. Hamilton Jr. Barbara and Christopher Hekel Mr. Stanley Hoffberger Mr. and Mrs. John Homier C. Birk Hutchens Mr. Daniel Irion Mr. and Mrs. Rick C. Jaramillo Mady & Ken Kades Ms. Mandy Kao Anna Kaplan Kathryn L. Ketelsen Jane & Kevin Kremer Kirk Kveton Stephanie and Richard Langenstein Ms. Deborah Laws Dr. Hilary Beaver & Dr. Andrew Lee Evelyn Leightman Mr. William W. Lindley Kirby and David Lodholz Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Lubanko Ms. Tama Lundquist Mr. & Mrs. Peter MacGregor Ms. Mary Marquardsen Mr. and Mrs. Wallis Marsh William D. & Karinne McCullough Mary Ann & David McKeithan

Stephen & Marilyn Miles Larry and Lyn Miller David and Jamie Ming Ginni and Richard Mithoff David R. Moore Richard & Juliet Moynihan Stephanie Weber and Paul Muri Mr. & Mrs. Richard Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Nelson 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 Dr. and Mr. Vanitha Pothuri Roland and Linda Pringle Mrs. Dana Puddy Mr. & Mrs. Florante Quiocho Clinton and Leigh Rappole Dr. Michael and Janet Rasmussen Mr. and Mrs. David Reeves Mr. & Mrs. J.B. Reimer Patricia Richards Mrs. Diane Roederer Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Rose Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Ruez Mr. & Mrs. John Ryder Mr. Robert T. Sakowitz Harold H. Sandstead, M.D. Lawrence P. Schanzmeyer Mr. Tony W. Schlicht Mr. and Mrs. Steven Schwarzbach Ms. Becky V. Shaw Mr. Carlos Sierra Leslie Siller Hinda Simon Ms. Diana Skerl Mr. and Mrs. George Sneed

Georgiana Stanley Jeaneen and Tim Stastny Ms. Christine A. Stevens and Richard Crishock Mr. & Mrs. Hans Strohmer Mr. William W. Stubbs Dr. and Mrs. Van W. Teeters Juliana and Stephen Tew Musicians of the Houston Symphony Inc. Jean and Doug Thomas Courtney & Bill Toomey Sal and Denise Torrisi Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tsuru Patricia Van Allan H. Richard Walton Nancy Ames and Danny Ward Alton and Carolyn Warren Dr. and Mrs. Richard T. Weiss Mr. & Mrs. C. Clifford Wright, Jr. Scott and Lori Wulfe Mr. and Mrs. Steve Yatauro Mrs. Linda Yelin Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zabriskie Anonymous (4)

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Bradford Ms. Helen Harding & Dr. Patrick Briggs Claire Brooks Craig and Dolores Brooks Dr. Fred Buckwold Mr. and Ms. Jordan Buss Vicki Buxton Marion & Bill Calvert Mr. Joseph L. Campbell Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Terry Carius Ms. Greta Carlson Mr. Theodore Carpenter and Mrs. Stephanie Harrison Ann M. Cavanaugh Mr. F. Martin Caylor Mr. and Mrs. David Centanni Ms. Flora Choy Drs. Anna Chen and John Chung

Dr. Diana Collins Mr. and Mrs. James Collins Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Cook Mr. Joseph H. Cooper Mr. and Mrs. James L. Cross Mr. Carl R. Cunningham Mrs. Rochelle Cyprus Dr. Tarek Dammad Ms. Anna M. Dean Ms. Elena Delaunay Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Delgado Mr. & Mrs. E. E. Deschner Mr. and Mrs. James P. Dorn T. Michael Dossey Ms. Maudeen F. Eccles Ramsay M. Elder Mr. Stephen Elison Strong Landscaping, LLC Annette and Knut Eriksen Mr. Frederick Fargo Ms. Olivia Farrell

Dr. Jean A. Fefer Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Ference Peter Joseph Ferenz Larry Finger Ms. Janet Fitzke Mr. and Mrs. Harvey O. Fleisher Marilyn and Theodore Flick Jeannine and Patrick Flynn Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Frautschi Janet & Mickey Frost Mr. Ning Fu Mr. and Ms. Piotr Galitzine Martin Gambling Pepe Garcia Thomas & Patricia Geddy Wendy Germani Alyson & Elliot Gershenson Susan and Kevin Golden

$1,000+ Rolaine Abramson Stephen Carroll Joan and Stanford Alexander John Arnsparger & Susan Weingarten Ms. Candida Aversenti Ms. Joni Baird Mr. & Mrs. David M. Balderston Mr. and Mrs. Ken P. Barrow Deborah Bautch Janet & John Beall Mr. and Mrs. Clarke Bean Dr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Beaudet Jim and Barbara Becker Catherine Bratic & Mike Benza Ms. Cyndi Bohannon Helene Booser Patricia K. Boyd

Houston Symphony

Our Donors $1,000+ Helen B. Wils & Leonard A. Goldstein Mrs. Lena Grabowski** Timothy & Janet Graham Catherine Green Mr. and Mrs. Joe Greenberg Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Gregory Joan DerHovsepian and Erik Gronfor Mrs. Tami A. Grubb Richard & Stella Guerra Nelson Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Hachigian Susan and Dick Hansen Mr. and Mrs. Franklin J. Harberg Jr. Sheila Heimbinder Dean & Beth Hennings Jeannette and Brodrick Hill Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hollingsworth Dr. Holly Holmes Dr. Vicki Huff & Dr. Eric Boerwinkle Ms. Heather Humphrey Mariya Idenova Mr. Craig Ignacio Ms. Qiana James Mark A. Jensen Arlene Johnson Russell Kampe Lynda and Frank Kelly John Keville Mr. & Mrs. William H. Knull III Mrs. Judy Koehl Mr. and Mrs. Nat Krishnamurthy Mr. and Ms. Kevin Kushner Ms. Staci Latoison Susan Le Dr. Kris Lehnhardt Ms. Patsy Liao Mr. Anthony Lutkus Tony and Judy Lutkus Dr. Calum Maccaulay Mr. and Mrs. Alex Marchenko

Ms. Renee Margolin Mr. and Mrs. Christopher McCarty R. Scott and Rebecca E. McCay Patricia McMahon and Joseph F. McCarthy Ernie and Martha McWilliams Ms. Kristen Meneilly Laurie Messina** Mr. and Mrs. Arnold M. Miller Jr. Mrs. Jean Mintz Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Moen Gerry Montalto Mr. and Mrs. Peter Morris Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Mukoro Ms. Linda C. Murray Daniel & Karol Musher Alan & Elaine Mut Jackie Mutschler Mr. Rex Naden Jessica & Erick Navas Phong Patrick Nguyen Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Nocella Ms. Kathryn O'Brien Dr. John Oehler and Dr. Dorothy Oehler Mr. & Mrs. Judith Oliver Mr. Roberto Orlandi John and Kathy Orton Rochelle & Sheldon Oster Mr. and Mrs. Edoardo Padeletti Mr. and Mrs. Marc C. Paige Mr. and Mrs. Raul Pavon Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Payne Douglas Perley Ms. Leila Perrin Ms. Jo Ann Peterson Mrs. Fran Fawcett Peterson Grace and Carroll Phillips Georgica Pine Dr. and Mrs. James L. Pool Linda Posey Fairfax & Risher Randall

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Rawl Patricia Richards Mr. James Richardson Kathryn Ritcheske Mr. and Mrs. Dennis D. Ritter Jr. Linda & James Robin Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Rockecharlie Nathalie Roff Ms. Regina J. Rogers Mrs. Adelina Romero Drs. Alex & Lynn Rosas Jill and Milt Rose Dallas Rowden Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Rozenfeld Brenda and Mansel Rubenstein Dr. Kimberly Ruona Kent Rutter and David Baumann Mr. Hugh Ryan Lisa Rydman Mr. and Dr. Ian Sack Ramon and Chula Sanchez Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Sandlin Gina & Saib Saour Donald and Susan Scruggs Mr. Ellison Scudder Mrs. Lynda G. Seaman Charles & Andrea Seay Nicole & Julian Seiguer Mr. and Mrs. Dilanka Seimon Ms. Heidi Seizinger Mr. Richard Sepulveda and Ms. Angelica Garza Victor E. Serrato Mr. & Mrs. Paul Shack Lawrence Smith Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Smith Mr. & Mrs. William A. Smith Ms. Yoon Smith Betty and Gerry Stacy Ms. Claudia Standiford Bill Stanley Richard P. Steele and Mary J. McKerall

Kimberly & David Sterling Christine Ann Stevens Bill Stevens Amy Sutton and Gary Chiles Gaylene Taylor Ms. Betsy Mims and Mr. Howard D. Thames Mr. & Mrs. James G. Theus Mr. Aaron J. Thomas & Mrs. Jennifer Chang Suzy Till Mr. Donald J. Tindall Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Unger John and Mary Untereker Mr. and Mrs. William Van Wie Mr. Jairo Velasquez Mr. James Walker Larry and Connie Wallace Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Walt Ms. Tammi Warfield Ms. Katherine Warren Ms. Joann E. Welton Dr. & Mrs. Brad Wertman Ms. Amy E. Whitaker Mr. and Ms. Bradley White Douglas and Carolynne White Mr. Brook Wiggins Carlton Wilde Ms. Katherine Wildman Bridget & Brooke Williams Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Williams Rev. B.T. & Dr. Robin Williamson Ms. Dodi Willingham Dr. Alice Gates and Dr. Wayne Wilner Ms. Donna H. Wilson Mr. Jim Winget Jennifer R. Wittman Jerry & Gerlind Wolinsky Mr. Jessie Woods Melinda & Alan Young Ms. Francene Young Mr. & Mrs. Edward R. Ziegler Anonymous (11)

Music Director Fund The Houston Symphony has entered a new era with the introduction of internationally acclaimed conductor, Juraj Valčuha, as our Music Director. The purpose of the Music Director Fund is to provide leadership support to allow Maestro Valčuha to realize his artistic vision. To join the Music Director Fund, supporters make a leadership gift of S100,000 above and beyond their annual giving. To participate, please contact Christine Ann Stevens, Senior Director, Development at christine.stevens@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8521. Margaret Alkek Williams Robin Angly & Miles Smith Janice Barrow* Gary and Marian Beauchamp/The Beauchamp Foundation Barbara J. Burger

Albert & Anne Chao Jane and Robert* Cizik Janet F. Clark Michael H. Clark & Sallie Morian Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Dr. Sippi and Mr. Ajay Khurana

Barbara and Pat McCelvey John & Lindy Rydman / Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Mike Stude

INTUNE December 2023

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 sought-after venues, private homes, and friendly neighborhood hangouts. From behind-the-scenes interactions with the musicians of the Houston Symphony to jaw-dropping 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 next era of orchestral music.

YOUNG ASSOCIATE LEADERSHIP Kirby Lodholz, Chair

Laurel Flores, Communications Chair

Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl, Vice Chair

Jeff Hiller, Membership Chair

YAC - CONDUCTOR'S CIRCLE ($5,000+) Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg- Dahl# Eric Brueggeman Lindsay Buchanan# Denise and Brandon Davis

Vicky Dominguez

Elaine and Jeff Hiller#

Justin Stenberg#

Carolyn and Patrick Gaidos

Carey Kirkpatrick

Liana and Andrew Schwaitzberg#

Claudio Gutiérrez

Elissa and Jarrod Martin

Aerin and Quentin Smith#

Lori Harrington and Parashar Saikia

Aprill Nelson#

Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah

Ryan Cantrell

Gwen and Jay McMurrey

Kusum and K. Cody Patel#

Andria Elkins

Emily and Joseph MorrelPorter Hedges LLP

YAC - VIRTUOSO CIRCLE ($2,500-$4,999) Christopher P. Armstrong and Laura Schaffer Lauren and Mark Bahorich Tim Ong and Michael Baugh Emily Bivona and Ryan Manser Haydée del Calvo and Esteban Montero

Laurel Flores#

David R. Moore

Allegra Lilly and Robin Kesselman#

Stephanie Weber and Paul Muri

Kirby and David Lodholz#

Carlos Sierra Kristin and Leonard Wood Owen Zhang

Kelser McMiller#

Maxine Olefsky and Justin Kenney

Amber Ali

Adam Ewald

Jonathan T. Jan

Anna Robshaw

Fiona Anklesaria

Florence Francis

Anna Kaplan

Luisa Banos and Vladi Gorelik

Kallie Gallagher

Marisa and Tandy Lofland

Clarice Jacobson and Brian Rosenzweig

Amanda Beatriz

Patrick B. Garvey

Joel Luks

Adair and Kevin Brueggeman

Amy Goodpasture

Miriam Meriwani

David Chaluh

Rebecca and Andrew Gould

Shane A. Miller

Lincoln Chen

Nicholas Gruy

David Moyer

Megan and John Degenstein

Kendall and Chris Hanno

Trevor Myers

Chante Westmoreland Dillard and Joseph Dillard

Ashley and John Horstman

Lee Bar-Eli and Cliff Nash

C. Birk Hutchens

Lauren Paine

Mariya Idenova

Blake Plaster

YAC ($1,500-$2,499)

Evin Ashley Erdoğdu

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

Houston Symphony

Chicovia Scott Tim Sesby Leonardo Soto Bryce Swinford Elise Wagner# Alexander Webb Marquis Wincher

# Steering Committee

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, and community engagement, for Greater Houston and the Gulf Coast Region. CORPORATE PARTNERS (as of October 31, 2023) Principal Corporate Guarantor ($250,000 and above) Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods / Spec’s Charitable Foundation**

Grand Guarantor ($150,000 and above) ConocoPhillips**

KTRK ABC-13*

Guarantor ($100,000 and above) Bank of America Boston Consulting Group* Frost Bank

Houston Methodist* Kalsi Engineering Oliver Wyman*

PaperCity* Shell USA, Inc.**

Kinder Morgan Foundation** Kirkland & Ellis The Lancaster Hotel* Nexus Health Systems Oxy** PNC** Rémy Martin Sewell

Silver Eagle Beverages Truist

Neiman Marcus* One Market Square Garage* Rand Group, LLC* Silver Eagle Distributors Houston, LLC

Univision Houston & Amor 106.5FM Vinson & Elkins LLP

Gorman’s Uniform Service Jackson & Company*

Lockton Companies of Houston USI Southwest

Underwriter ($50,000 and above) Amerapex Baker Botts L.L.P.* Cameron Management* Chevron** CKP* Houston Christian University Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo**

Sponsor ($25,000 and above) EOG Resources The Events Company* ExxonMobil H-E-B/H-E-B Tournament of Champions**

Partner ($15,000 and above) Beam Suntory City Kitchen* Faberge

Supporter ($10,000 and above) American Tank and Vessel, Inc. Accordant Advisors* Houston First Corporation* Marine Foods Express, Ltd.** Mark Kamin & Associates

Quantum Energy Partners Sire Spirits Beth Wolff Realtors Vivaldi Music Academy Zenfilm*

New Timmy Chan Corporation Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, L.L.P.

Benefactor ($5,000 and above) Beck Redden LLP Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc.

University of St. Thomas* Wortham Insurance & Risk Management

Patron (Gifts below $5,000) Amazon Avatar Innovations Baker Hughes Christian Dior KPMG US Foundation, Inc.

Mercantil ONEOK, Inc. Nippon Steel North America, Inc. Quantum Bass Center* SEI, Global Institutional Group

For information on becoming a corporate partner, please contact Timothy Dillow, Senior Director, Development, at timothy.dillow@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8538.

SERCA Wines Smith, Graham & Company Stewart Title Company TAM International, Inc.

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

INTUNE December 2023

Corporate, Foundation & Government Partners FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (as of October 31, 2023) Diamond Guarantor ($1,000,000 and above) The Brown Foundation, Inc. Houston Symphony Endowment**

Houston Symphony League The Wortham Foundation, Inc.

Premier Guarantor ($500,000 and above) The Alkek and Williams Foundation

City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

The C. Howard Pieper Foundation

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts The Hearst Foundation** The Humphreys Foundation MD Anderson Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts Texas Commission on the Arts**

Grand Guarantor ($150,000 and above) City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board** The Cullen Foundation

Guarantor ($100,000 and above) The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation

The Houston Arts Combined Endowment Fund

Underwriter ($50,000 and above) Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Beauchamp Foundation The Elkins Foundation

The Fondren Foundation Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation

John P. McGovern Foundation** The Powell Foundation**

William S. & Lora Jean Kilroy Foundation The Vivian L. Smith Foundation**

The William Stamps Farish Fund

Sponsor ($25,000 and above) The Melbern G. & Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation**

Partner ($15,000 and above) Ruth & Ted Bauer Family Foundation** William E. & Natoma Pyle Harvey Charitable Foundation** The Hood-Barrow Foundation

The Schissler Foundation Sterling-Turner Foundation The Vaughn Foundation

Supporter ($10,000 and above) Edward H. Andrews The Carleen & Alde Fridge Foundation George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation

Petrello Family Foundation The Pierce Runnells Foundation Strake Foundation**

Benefactor ($5,000 and above) Leon Jaworski Foundation

The Radoff Family Foundation

Keith & Mattie Stevenson Foundation

Patron (Gifts below $5,000) The Lubrizol Foundation The Scurlock Foundation For information about becoming a foundation or government partner, please contact Christina Trunzo, Director, Foundation Relations, at christina.trunzo@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8530.

Houston Symphony

**Education and Community Engagement Support

Houston Symphony Endowment The Houston Symphony Endowment is organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of the Houston Symphony Society. Your contributions to the Endowment ensure the financial sustainability of your orchestra now and for generations to come. A named endowed fund is a wonderful way to honor a loved one or to celebrate you and your family’s passion for the Houston Symphony. Named funds may be permanently established within the Houston Symphony Endowment with a minimum contribution of $250,000. Your fund can be designated for general purposes or specific interests. One of the most impactful funds you can create is an Endowed Orchestra Chair. Opportunities to endow an Orchestral Chair begin at $1,000,000. Endowing a chair provides the Houston Symphony with funds to attract, retain, and support musicians of the highest caliber. For more information about how you may support the Houston Symphony 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. TRUSTEES James H. Lee, President David Krieger

William Dee Hunt Ajay Khurana

Lynn Mathre Scott Wise

ENDOWMENT FUNDS $250,000+ 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 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

The General and Mrs. Maurice Hirsch George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Memorial Concert Fund in memory of Summer Concerts Fund Theresa Meyer and Jules Hirsch, beloved Bobbie Nau Chair parents of General Maurice Hirsch, and Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet Rosetta Hirsch Weil and Josie Hirsch Bloch, beloved sisters of General C. Howard Pieper Foundation Fund Maurice Hirsch Walter W. Sapp Fund, Legacy Society General Maurice Hirsch Chair Co-Founder Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute Fayez Sarofim Guest Violinist Fund through Houston Symphony Chorus Fund the Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Joan and Marvin Kaplan Fund

The Schissler Foundation Fund

Ellen E. Kelley Chair Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Spec’s Charitable Foundation Salute to Educators Concert Fund

Max Levine Chair Yoonshin Song, Concertmaster

The Micijah S. Stude Special Production Fund

Mary R. Lewis Fund for Piano Performance

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor Fund

M.D. Anderson Foundation Fund Mary Lynn and Steve Marks Fund Barbara and Pat McCelvey Fund Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Endowed Chair William VerMeulen, Principal Horn

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Endowed Fund Margaret Alkek Williams Chair John Mangum, Executive Director/CEO The Wortham Foundation Classical Series Fund in memory of Gus S. and Lyndall F. Wortham

William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Monroe L. Mendelsohn Jr. Fund Education Programs

INTUNE December 2023

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 $100,000+ (as of October 31, 2023) Dr. and Mrs. George J. Abdo Priscilla R. Angly Jonathan and Ann Ayre Myra W. Barber Janice Barrow* Jim Barton James Bell Joe Anne Berwick* Joan H. Bitar, MD 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 Helen Hudspeth Flores* 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 Marilyn and Bob Hermance Dr. Charles and Tammie Johnson Dr. Rita Justice Dr. James E. and Betty W. Key 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 Bill and Karinne McCullough Muffy and Mike McLanahan Dr. Georgette M. Michko Dr. Robert M. Mihalo* Alfred Cameron Mitchell* Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Mueller Drs. John and Dorothy Oehler Gloria G. Pryzant Constance E. Roy Donna Scott Charles and Andrea Seay Mr. and Mrs. James A. Shaffer Michael J. Shawiak Jule* and Albert* Smith Louis* and Mary Kay Snyder Ronald Mikita* & Rex Spikes

David and Helen Stacy Frank Shroeder Stanford in memory of Dr. Walter O. Stanford 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)

Farida Abjani Dr. Antonio Arana* Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron George* and Betty Bashen Ann Baker Beaudette* Dorothy B. Black* Kerry Levine Bollmann Ermy Borlenghi Bonfield Zu Broadwater Dr. Joan K. Bruchas* and Mr. H. Philip Cowdin* Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Erin Brunner Eugene R. Bruns David Neal Bush Cheryl and Sam* Byington Sylvia J. Carroll Dr. Robert N. Chanon William J. Clayton and Margaret A. Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Byron Cooley The Honorable* and Mrs. William Crassas Dr. Lida S. Dahm Leslie Barry Davidson Susan Feickert Ginny Garrett Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Gendel Christine E.* and Michael B. George Mauro H. Gimenez and Connie A. Coulomb

Bill Grieves* Mr. Robert M. Griswold Randolph Lee Groninger Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Hamaker Gloria L. Herman* Timothy Hogan and Elaine Anthony Dr. Gary L. Hollingsworth Dr. Edward J. and Mrs. Patti* Hurwitz Dr. Kenneth Hyde Brian and Catherine James Barbara and Raymond Kalmans Dr. and Mrs. I. Ray Kirk Mrs. Frances E. Leland Samuel J. Levine Mrs. Lucy Lewis Sandra Magers David Ray Malone and David J. Sloat Mr. and Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis Jay and Shirley* Marks James G. Matthews Mary Ann and David McKeithan Dr. Tracey Samuels and Mr. Robert McNamara Mr. and Mrs. D. Bradley McWilliams

Catherine Jane Merchant* Marilyn Ross Miles and Stephen Warren Miles Foundation Sidney and Ione Moran Janet Moynihan* Richard and Juliet Moynihan Gretchen Ann Myers Patience Myers John N. Neighbors* in memory of Jean Marie Neighbors Mr.* and Mrs. Richard C. Nelson Bobbie Newman John and Leslie Niemand Leslie Nossaman Dave G. Nussmann* John Onstott Macky Osorio Edward C. Osterberg Jr. Susan and Edward Osterberg Mr. and Mrs. Edmund and Megan Pantuliano Christine and Red Pastorek Peter* and Nina Peropoulos Linda Tarpley Peterson Sara M. Peterson Mrs. Jenny Popatia in memory of Dr. Tajdin R. Popatia Geraldine Smith Priest

Dana Puddy Patrick T. Quinn Lila Rauch* Ed and Janet Rinehart Mr. Floyd W. Robinson Walter Ross* Dr. and Mrs. Kazuo Shimada Lisa and Jerry Simon Jean Stinson* Tad and Suzanne Smith Sherry Snyder Marie Speziale Emily H. and David K. Terry Douglas Thomas Stephen G. Tipps Ann K. Tornyos Steve Tostengard*, in memory of Ardyce Tostengard Jana Vander Lee Bill and Agnete Vaughan Dean B. Walker Stephen and Kristine Wallace Geoffrey Westergaard Nancy B. Willerson Jennifer R. Wittman Lorraine and Ed* Wulfe David and Tara Wuthrich Katherine and Mark Yzaguirre Anonymous (8) *Deceased

Houston Symphony

Musician Sponsorships Donors at the Sponsorship Circle level and above are provided the opportunity to be recognized as sponsoring a Houston Symphony Musician. For more information, please contact Alexa Ustaszewski, Major Gifts Officer, at alexa.ustaszewski@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8534. (As of October 31, 2023) Dr. Angela Apollo

Scott Holshouser, Principal Keyboard

Dr. Saúl and Ursula Balagura Charles Seo, Cello

Gary and Marian Beauchamp/ The Beauchamp Foundation Martha Chapman, Second Violin

Evan B. Glick

Michelle and Jack Matzer

Suzan and Julius Glickman

Barbara and Pat McCelvey

Fay Shapiro, Viola Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal Clarinet and E-flat Clarinet

Christopher French, Associate Principal Cello

Mark and Ragna Henrichs

Mr. Gordon J. Brodfuehrer

Gary L. Hollingsworth and Kenneth J. Hyde

Maki Kubota, Cello

Robert Walp, Assistant Principal Trumpet

Mrs. James E. Hooks

Ralph Burch

Drs. M.S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi

Robin Kesselman, Principal Double Bass

Barbara J. Burger

Andrew Pedersen, Double Bass

Mary Kathryn Campion, PhD 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

Assistant Principal Viola

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

Aggie L. Foster & Steve Simon Mihaela Frusina, Second Violin

Steve and Mary Gangelhoff Judy Dines, Flute

Stephen and Mariglyn Glenn Christian Schubert, Clarinet

Muffy and Mike McLanahan

William VerMeulen, Principal Horn

Dr. Eric McLaughlin and Mr. Eliodoro Castillo

Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe

Donald Howey, Double Bass

Mr. Robert Bunch and Ms. Lilia Khakimova

Alexander Potiomkin, Bass Clarinet and Clarinet

Adam Dinitz, English Horn

Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Gorman

Nancy and Walter Bratic Christopher Neal, First Violin

Kurt Johnson, First Violin

Martha and Marvin McMurrey Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Dr. Miguel & Mrs. Valerie MiroQuesada Leonardo Soto, Principal Timpani

Burke Shaw, Double Bass

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

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

Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet

Dr. Sippi and Mr. Ajay Khurana

David Connor, Double Bass – Community-Embedded Musician

Dr. and Mrs. I. Ray Kirk

John C. Parker, Associate Principal Trumpet

Cindy E. Levit

Adam Trussell, Bassoon and Contrabassoon

Max Levit

Sergei Galperin, First Violin

Rita and Paul Morico

Elise Wagner, Bassoon

Scott and Judy Nyquist Sheldon Person, Viola

Joella and Steven P. Mach Eric Larson, Double Bass

Mrs. Carolyn and Dr. Michael Mann

Ian Mayton, Horn

Alana R. Spiwak and Sam L. Stolbun

Wei Jiang, Acting Associate Principal Viola

Mike Stude

Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor Bradley White, Acting Principal Trombone

Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor Joan DerHovsepian, Principal Viola

Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber

Jeremy Kreutz, Cello

Gloria and Joe Pryzant

Matthew Strauss, Percussion

Allan and Jean Quiat

Richard Harris, Trumpet

Laurie A. Rachford

Timothy Dilenschneider, Associate Principal Double Bass

Mark Griffith, Percussion

Rian Craypo, Principal Bassoon Allegra Lilly, Harp

Robert G. Weiner and Toni Blankman

Anastasia Ehrlich, Second Violin

Vicki West

Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Steven and Nancy Williams MiHee Chung, First Violin

Ron and Demi Rand

Jeanie Kilroy Wilson and Wallace S. Wilson

Ed & Janet Rinehart

Nina and Michael Zilkha

Annie Chen, Second Violin Amy Semes, Associate Principal Violin

Xiao Wong, Cello

Kurt Johnson, First Violin

Mrs. Sybil F. Roos

Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet

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

Sergei Galperin, First Violin

Marina Brubaker, First Violin

Mr. David Peavy and Dr. Stephen McCauley

Jeffrey Butler, Cello

Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Mr. Jay Marks

Tad and Suzanne Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker

Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum

Brian Del Signore, Principal Percussion

Rainel Joubert, Violin– Community-Embedded Musician

Stephen and Kristine Wallace

MiHee Chung, First Violin

Mr. and Mrs. Rodney H. Margolis

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Margaret and Joel Shannon

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

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

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

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

Cora Sue and Harry* Mach Joan DerHovsepian, Principal Viola

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Shaffer

Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute

Anthony Kitai, Cello

Kathy and Ed Segner

Kathryn Ladner, Flute & Piccolo

*Deceased

INTUNE December 2023

Jesse H. Jones Hall Renovation Donors Thank you to our Donors. We are grateful to the generous donors who have contributed $43,650,000 to date toward our $60 million goal.

(As of October 31, 2023)

$10 MILLION+ Nancy and Charles Davidson

$5 MILLION+ The Brown Foundation, Inc. The City of Houston / Houston First Corporation

$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.

FRIENDS OF JONES HALL Anne and Albert Chao Mr. & Mrs. J. Stephen Marks Beverly and James Postl Vivian L. Smith Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

For more information, please contact Nancy Giles, Chief Development Officer, at nancy.giles@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8525.

Houston Symphony

Meet the musician:

JOAN DERHOVSEPIAN

Principal Viola Hometown: South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

How long have you been playing your instrument, and what do you love the most about it?

Can you tell us about your journey to being appointed Principal Viola for the Houston Symphony? The audition process for any position in the Houston Symphony is highly rigorous. I’m guessing each of us in the orchestra would place our auditions at the top of our Life’s Toughest list. I’ve spent considerable time in every seat in our viola section. I first joined the viola section (6th desk) in 1999, hired by Christoph Eschenbach. Then three years later, I moved by audition to the 4th chair. In 2010, during the tenure of Hans Graf, I won the audition for Associate Principal Viola. This past May 2023, I was appointed Principal through the formal audition process with our Music Director Juraj Valčuha. Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? I love traveling and would be happy living out of a suitcase most of the time. My trusty viola is the vehicle that takes me to all kinds of places I would not see otherwise. What do you love about Houston? Scan here to read the full interview with Joan DerHovsepian!

When Erik and I first moved to Houston more than 20 years ago, I was overwhelmed by this gargantuan city. Then I found myself singing its praises to out-of-town friends and family and realized somewhere along the way I had become a Houstonian. I am proud of the arts community and struck by the generosity of its people to help one another through tough times. Our daughter received an excellent education in Houston, greatly enriched by this city’s diversity. Cora Sue & Harry* Mach and Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor serve as Musician Sponsors to Joan DerHovsepian.

Houston Symphony

“

Most violists begin by playing the violin and switch later, but I chose viola from the start, at age ten. I was taken with the viola’s resplendent tone, and have always loved the versatility of a middle voice to connect, color, and give structure to the parts around.

Duke Ellington's

Nutcracker Quiz Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite is a jazz rendition of Tchaikovsky's classic The Nutcracker ballet. This unique musical interpretation combines the elegance of classical music with the improvisational and spirited elements of jazz. Take this quiz to discover which character from Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite best represents your personality!

What is your ideal way to spend a holiday weekend? a. b.

Relaxing at home with a good book or movie Hosting a lively gathering with friends

c. d.

Attending a cultural event or musical performance Exploring new foods

How do you handle holiday stress and pressure? a. b.

Stay composed and stick to your plan Laugh it off and find humor in the situation

c. d.

Seek solace in art, music, or nature Embrace change and adapt quickly

What color combination appeals to you most? a. Black and White b. Red and Gold

c. d.

Silver and Teal A mix of bold and contrasting colors

What's your preferred social setting around the holidays? a. b.

Intimate gatherings with friends and family Crowded parties with lots of laughter

c. d.

Formal events with a touch of sophistication Eclectic and diverse gatherings

c. d.

Elegant and refined Eclectic and unconventional

What's your approach to personal style? a. b.

Timeless and classic Bold and attention-grabbing

How would you describe your sense of humor? a. b.

Dry and witty Playful and light-hearted

c. d.

Sophisticated and clever Quirky and unconventional

What's your go-to holiday musical instrument or genre? a. b.

Classical piano or violin Jazz trumpet or saxophone

c. d.

Classical orchestra or chamber music A mix of various musical genres

All done? For each question, assign the following points to your answers: A = 1 point B = 2 points C = 3 points D = 4 points Then, calculate your score and scan this QR code to find out which character from Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite best represents your personality!

INTUNE December 2023

Juraj Valčuha, Music Director

Jones Hall – 615 Louisiana Street houstonsymphony.org