InTune | September 2023

InTUNE

Blockbuster Broadway with Norm Lewis

Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe

Advertise in InTUNE

For more information on building your brand with InTUNE, contact Matt Ross at 713.417.6857 or matt@venturesmarketing.com and make our audiences your customers.

welcome to the houston symphony

level or our weekday box office inside the Wortham Foundation Courtyard. There is a new staircase down to the restrooms on the Louisiana side of the lobby, and you’ll find that it is wider and has fewer stairs than before. And the restrooms themselves have been renovated to double the number of available facilities.

Dear Music Lovers,

Welcome to the Houston Symphony, and to the opening concerts of our 2023–24 Classical and Bank of America POPS Seasons! We’re thrilled to be joined by our Music Director, Juraj Valčuha, for the first of two weeks of great French music that really showcases the orchestra and chorus, bringing the full forces of the Houston Symphony to the Jones Hall stage for the opening weekend of our Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Classical Season. And before that, Principal POPS Conductor Steven Reineke opens the Bank of America POPS Series with Blockbuster Broadway with Norm Lewis, a trailblazing living Broadway legend and an artist we are honored to have on our stage.

As you take your seat at Jones Hall, you may notice that a few things are different. As part of our foursummer renovation of the Hall (we just finished summer three), we replaced all of the seats in the auditorium. We reconfigured the seating to add more aisles and handrails to provide easier access to your seat. We reduced the number of entrances on the orchestra level to help eliminate sound and light bleed, especially from the Louisiana Street side of the lobby. We have a new shell over the orchestra—the Janet F. Clark Orchestra Shell—to ensure you hear and feel more of the orchestra’s sound, and the musicians hear each other better on The Brown Foundation Stage, which has been refinished to be more visually appealing.

Before you entered the Nancy and Charles Davidson Performance Hall, you may have noticed a few other changes, some of them still in progress. It is likely that you came into the building on the Louisiana Avenue side of the building through the Cullen Entrance to Jones Hall. It’s possible you picked up your tickets at the ConocoPhillips Box Office on the main plaza

In progress are the David and Shirley Toomim Family Green Room, which will be double the size of the previous green room and include two additional restrooms, and the Janice H. Barrow Piano Tier, which will offer a new, flexible space in the Louisiana Street lobby for pre- and post-concert activities and other activations throughout the year. Both the Toomim Family Green Room and the Barrow Piano Tier are slated to be completed by the end of the calendar year. And thanks to our friends and partners at Houston First, we have a new glass elevator to take patrons to the Mezzanine and to The Jane and Robert Cizik Family Balcony. While they may not be visible to our audiences, our musicians are also grateful for The Elkins Foundation Rehearsal Room and for the soon-to-be refurbished Artists’ Suites, generously sponsored by Barbara and Pat McCelvey.

And of course, before you even entered the Hall, you may have noticed the Theater District’s fabulous new front lawn, Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts. Taken together, it’s an incredible transformation for Jones Hall, the Houston Symphony, and everyone in our greater Houston community who enjoys events here. We’re looking forward to the final summer of work next year, with a continued focus on improving acoustics, accessibility and amenities for our patrons, and support for our wonderful musicians.

Thank you to our generous donors, who have already committed more than $43 million toward our $60 million Jones Hall campaign goal, and whose leadership has made this significant transformation possible. They are listed on page 46, and we look forward to welcoming other generous families, foundations, and corporations who will want to be part of this historic project. Most of all, thank you to each and every one of you for being here with us. You’re why we do what we do, and we can’t wait to share these concerts with you.

All my best,

Executive Director/CEO

Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

Blockbuster Broadway with Norm Lewis

September 22 & 23

Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe

September 29 & 30

Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe

October 1

Lang Lang

October 6

Seong-Jin Cho Plays Ravel

October 7 & 8

Barber’s Violin Concerto + Duke Ellington

October 14 & 15

GO NOW!

A Tribute to The Moody Blues

October 27, 28 & 29

Halloween Spooktacular for Kids

October 28

Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert

November 4 & 5

Valčuha Conducts Rachmaninoff

November 10, 11 & 12

Valčuha Conducts Ravel’s La valse

November 17, 18 & 19

“I Will Survive”—Diva Legends

November 24, 25 & 26

Andrés Returns

December 1, 2 & 3

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

December 9 & 10

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker

December 12

Handel’s Messiah

December 15, 16 & 17

Very Merry POPS

December 20, 21, 22 & 23

Holly Jolly Holiday

December 23

Swingin’ Sinatra: A New Year’s Celebration

January 5, 6 & 7

Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony + Yoonshin Song

January 12, 13 & 14

Takemitsu + Brahms’s Requiem

January 19, 20 & 21

Víkingur Ólafsson Plays Bach

January 28

Jazz, Love & Gershwin: A Century of Rhapsody in Blue

February 2, 3 & 4

Get Up and Dance!

February 3

Perlman Conducts Tchaikovsky 5

February 8, 10 & 11

Eschenbach Conducts Bruckner 8

February 24 & 25

At Last! A Tribute to Etta James

March 1, 2 & 3

Valčuha Conducts Mahler 6 March 15, 16 & 17

Mozart + Beethoven’s Eroica

March 22, 23 & 24

Romeo and Juliet +

Dvořák’s Cello Concerto

March 29 & 30

21st Century Broadway

April 5, 6 & 7

I’m a Superhero!

April 6

Carmina burana

April 26, 27 & 28

Pines of Rome +

Grieg’s Piano Concerto

May 2, 4 & 5

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

Adams’s El Niño

May 25 & 26

An Alpine Symphony

June 1 & 2

Salome in Concert

June 7 & 9

Classical Series

Bank of America POPS Series

S Summer & Specials

PNC Family Series

houstonsymphony.org

713.224.7575

your symphony experience

JONES HALL

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

CONCERT DISRUPTION

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

FOOD & DRINK POLICY

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

LOST & FOUND

For lost and found inquiries, please contact Patron Experience Coordinator 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

ETIQUETTE

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

CHILDREN

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

LATE SEATING

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

TICKETS

Subscribers 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.

If you are unable to make a performance, your ticket may be donated prior to the concert for a tax-donation receipt. Donations and exchanges may be made in person, over the phone, or online.

THANK YOU to our sponsors

Juraj valČuha

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

Before joining the Houston Symphony in June 2022, Juraj was music director of the Teatro di San Carlo, Naples, from 2016 to 2022 and first guest conductor of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin. He was chief conductor of the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della Rai from 2009 to 2016.

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

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

He enjoys regular collaborations with the Minnesota Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, 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 Bucarest, and the Abu Dhabi Classics. With the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, he visited Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn to mark the 100 th anniversary of the Baltic nations.

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

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

Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

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.

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

Martha Chapman*

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+

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

COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED MUSICIANS

David Connor, double bass

Rainel Joubert, violin

ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN

Hae-a Lee

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

BASS CLARINET

Alexander Potiomkin, Tassie and Constantine S. Nicandros Chair

BASSOON

Rian Craypo, Principal

Isaac Schultz, Associate Principal

Elise Wagner

Adam Trussell

STAGE PERSONNEL

Stefan Stout, Stage Manager

José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager

Nicholas DiFonzo, Justin Herriford, and Connor Morrow, Stage Technicians

Giancarlo Minotti, Audio Production Manager

CONTRABASSOON

Adam Trussell

HORN

William VerMeulen, Principal

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan

Endowed Chair

Robert Johnson, Associate Principal

Nathan Cloeter, Assistant Principal/Utility

Brian Thomas

Brian Mangrum

Ian Mayton

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

SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Barbara J. Burger President

Janet F. Clark Chair

John Rydman Immediate Past President

Mike S. Stude Chairman Emeritus

Jonathan Ayre Chair, Finance

Brad W. Corson Chair, Governance & Leadership

Manuel Delgado Chair, Marketing & Communications

Evan B. Glick Chair, Popular Programming

Lidiya Gold Chair, Development

Sippi Khurana, M.D. Chair, Education

Mary Lynn Marks Chair, Volunteers & Special Events

Robert Orr Chair, Strategic Planning

John Rydman Chair, Artistic & Orchestra Affairs

Ed Schneider Chair, Community Partnerships

Jesse B. Tutor Chair, Audit

Steven P. Mach ^ Immediate Past Chairman

Paul Morico General Counsel

Barbara McCelvey Secretary

Bobby Tudor^ At-Large Member

Mary Fusillo^ President, Houston Symphony League

James H. Lee^ President, Houston Symphony Endowment

Juraj Valčuha^ Music Director, Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair

Joan DerHovsepian^ Musician Representative

John Mangum^ Executive Director/CEO

Margaret Alkek Williams Chair

Mark Hughes^ Musician Representative

Adam Trussell^ Musician Representative

Mark Nuccio^ Musician Representative

Sherry Rodriguez^ Assistant Secretary ^Ex-Officio

GOVERNING DIRECTORS

Jonathan Ayre

Gary Beauchamp

Eric Brueggeman

Bill Bullock

Barbara J. Burger

Janet F. Clark

Lidiya Gold

Claudio Gutiérrez

William D. Hunt

Rick Jaramillo

Sippi Khurana, M.D.

Carey Kirkpatrick

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 **

EX-OFFICIO

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

Gary L. Hollingsworth

Brian James

I. Ray Kirk, M.D.

David Krieger

Ulyesse J. LeGrange*

Matthew Loden

Steven P. Mach

Michael Mann, M.D.

Jack Matzer

Jackie Wolens Mazow

Alexander K. McLanahan**

Marilyn Miles

Aprill Nelson

Tammy Tran Nguyen

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

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

EX-OFFICIO

John Steven Cisneros, Ed.D

Juan Zane Crawford, Ph. D

Kirby Lodholz

Frank F. Wilson IV

**Lifetime Trustee

*Deceased

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

Barbara McCelvey

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

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

Timothy Dillow, Senior Director, Development

Amanda T. Dinitz, Senior Major Gifts Officer

Vivian Gonzalez, Development Officer

Emilie Moellmer, Annual Fund Manager

Karyn Mason, Development Officer

Hadia Mawlawi, Senior Associate, Endowment and Planned Giving

Ben McAndrew, Institutional Giving Associate

Meghan Miller, Special Events Associate

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

MARKETING | EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Education and Community Engagement

Olivia Allred, Education and Community Engagement Coordinator

Jarrett Bastow, Education Manager

Pam Blaine, Chief of Education and Community Engagement

Allison Conlan, Director, 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, Junior Graphic 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

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

Giancarlo Minotti, Audio Production Manager

Meredith Williams, Associate Director, Concert Operations and Production

Rebecca Zabinski, Director, Artistic Planning

BY THE NUMBERS

LIVESTREAM

The Houston Symphony is committed to bringing the joy of live music to everyone, no matter where they are. The Symphony pivoted to livestream content in 2020 and launched the Live from Jones Hall Series in August 2020. This series features livestreamed Classical and Bank of America POPS concerts from Jones Hall Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Last season, the Houston Symphony was awarded the Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Broadcast/Media Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Foundation for our livestreamed concerts and uninterrupted continuation of programming during the pandemic lockdown. Today, we continue to make world-class concerts available for home viewing via ticketed livestreams, making us one of a few American orchestras dedicated to transmitting weekly live performances. Our livestream content makes the joy of music accessible to a wider audience in the Greater Houston area and around the globe!

Livestreams of Houston Symphony performances are made possible thanks to the generous contributions of the Livestream Funding Consortium, consisting of Barbara J. Burger, Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun, and John & Dorothy McDonald. If you would like to join the Livestream Funding Consortium, please contact Amanda T. Dinitz, Senior Major Gifts Officer, at 713.337.8541 or amanda.dinitz@houstonsymphony.org.

24

NUMBER OF 2022–23 SEASON LIVESTREAM CONCERTS

LIVESTREAMS HAVE BEEN VIEWED BY MUSIC LOVERS IN ALL 50 STATES

COLLECTIVELY, THE LIVESTREAM PERFORMANCES CREATED BY THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY HAVE BEEN VIEWED

146,576 times

SCAN HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT HOUSTON SYMPHONY LIVESTREAMS

INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, CANADA, MEXICO, ITALY, FRANCE, AND SOUTH KOREA

28,690

TOTAL NUMBER OF VIEWS FOR 2022–23 SEASON LIVESTREAM CONCERTS

SCAN HERE TO BROWSE 2023–24 LIVE FROM JONES HALL LIVESTREAM

SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES

2023–24 Houston Symphony

Summer Neighborhood Concerts

Every summer, the Houston Symphony partners with churches, schools, and community centers throughout Greater Houston to present free full orchestra concerts to Houstonians as part of our Summer Neighborhood Concerts series. These concerts provide access to live classical music performances for people in underserved communities—particularly neighborhoods included in Houston’s Complete Communities initiative—who may not have been able to see a Symphony performance in Jones Hall due to economic, geographic, or physical barriers. For many attendees of all ages, these concerts are their first exposure to classical music.

Last June, the Houston Symphony performed five full orchestra concerts at Kashmere High School, Willowridge High School, Stephen F. Austin High School, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, and Waltrip High School for nearly 1,200 audience members. These concerts, led by current Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra assistant conductor Jacob Joyce, featured classical music staples like Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville, as well as popular favorites such as the Theme from Jurassic Park by John Williams. Houston Symphony CommunityEmbedded Musician and violinist Rainel Joubert joined the orchestra as a soloist to perform Saint-Georges’s Violin Concerto in D major. Before each piece, the conductor gave a brief introduction providing commentary and explaining the significance of each composition. “The whole program was really thoughtful,” says Leon C. Lewis, minister of music at the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. “Between John Williams and incorporating the (Saint-Georges) violin solo, it felt like this concert was made specifically for our audience.”

Before each concert, audience members took part in family friendly activities like our Instrument Petting Zoo where children and adults alike could pick up and try out instruments like the ones used by our Symphony musicians. This activity allows people to learn through hands-on experience and can spark someone’s interest in learning to play an instrument.

The 2032–24 Season Summer Neighborhood Concert series was highly successful with 95 percent of attendees expressing they would like to attend similar concerts in the future. These concerts are part of the Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives and rely on contributions from generous donors to ensure these programs stay free of charge for participants and community members. Visit houstonsymphony.com/donate or scan the QR code to the right if you’d like to support the Symphony’s Summer Neighborhood Concerts or our other community music programs.

—Lauren Buchanan

Houston Symphony Associate Principal double bass Timothy Dilenschneider with a young audience member.

Community volunteers and Symphony Executive Director/CEO John Mangum (center) greet audience members at Austin High School.

Audience members enjoy the Instrument Petting Zoo before the performance at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Scan

Featured Program

Blockbuster Broadway with Norm lewis

Steven Reineke, conductor

*Norm Lewis, vocalist

Program to be announced from the stage

*Houston Symphony debut

About the Music

Friday, September 22

Saturday, September 23

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Thank you to our Houston Symphony Livestream Consortium Donors: Barbara J. Burger Guarantor

Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun Underwriter John & Dorothy McDonald Supporter

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

Program Insight

• Once destined for the world of business, Norm Lewis left college before graduating to work in the advertising and production departments of The Orlando Sentinel, a Florida newspaper. He did not start his Broadway career until 1993 in The Who’s Tommy.

• Beyond the stage, Norm has been an unwavering force for change. As one of the visionary founders of Black Theatre United, he stands together with like-minded individuals, united in their mission to protect and uplift Black lives, stories, and theatre across the nation.

• A Broadway veteran, Norm has been nominated for seven theater awards, including a Tony nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, and a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.

• He is best known for performing the title role in Broadway’s longestrunning production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. He was also the first African-American actor to perform in this role.

• Norm has performed in numerous venues around the world, including Lincoln Center where his concert was filmed for the TV special Norm Lewis: Who Am I?

Program Bios

Performances.

Steven Reineke, conductor

Steven Reineke is one of North America's leading conductors of popular music and is in his second decade as Music Director of The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he is Principal Pops Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston and Toronto Symphony Orchestras.

Reineke is a frequent guest conductor and can be seen on the podium with the Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco and Detroit Symphony Orchestras.

On stage, Mr. Reineke creates and collaborates with a range of leading artists from the worlds hip-hop, R & B, Broadway, television and rock including: Maxwell, Common, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Ne-Yo, Barry Manilow, Cynthia Erivo, Ben Rector, Cody Fry, Sutton Foster, Amos Lee, Dispatch, Jason Mraz, and Ben Folds, amongst others. In 2017 he was featured on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" leading the National Symphony Orchestra—in a first for the show's 45-year history— performing live music excerpts in between news segments. In 2018 Reineke led the National Symphony Orchestra with hip-hop legend Nas performing his seminal album "Illmatic" on PBS's Great

As the creator of hundreds of orchestral arrangements, Reineke’s work is performed worldwide and can be heard on numerous Cincinnati Pops Orchestra recordings. His symphonic works Celebration Fanfare, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Casey at the Bat are performed frequently in North America, including performances by the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic. His Sun Valley Festival Fanfare was used to commemorate the Sun Valley Summer Symphony’s pavilion, and his Festival Te Deum and Swan’s Island Sojourn were debuted by the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras. His numerous wind ensemble compositions are published by the C.L. Barnhouse Company and are performed by concert bands perennially.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Reineke is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio (2020 Alumnus Distinguished Achievement Medal), where he earned bachelor of music degrees with honors in both trumpet performance and music composition. He currently resides in New York City with his husband Eric Gabbard. 

Norm Lewis, vocalist

Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee, Norm Lewis, currently can be seen onstage starring in the national tour of the Tony Award-winning production of A Soldier's Play. He recently starred in Spike Lee's critically acclaimed, Da 5 Bloods, and in the groundbreaking FX series, Pose. Additionally, he stars in ABC's newest series, Women of The Movement ; and offscreen, he is heard in the latest season of Apple TV's animated series, Central Park. He played Caiaphas in the award-winning NBC television special, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!, alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper.

Norm returned to Broadway in 2021, starring in Chicken and Biscuits at the Circle in the Square Theatre. He previously appeared in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island and as Sweeney Todd in the Off-Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Barrow Street Theatre, receiving the AUDELCO Award for his performance. In May 2014, he made history as The Phantom of the Opera’s first African-American Phantom on Broadway. He received Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle award nominations for his

Program Bios

performance as Porgy in the Broadway production of The Gershwins’s Porgy and Bess. In London’s West End, he appeared as Javert in Les Misérables and Les Misérables: The 25th Anniversary Concert, which aired on PBS.

He was seen on PBS in the Live From Lincoln Center productions of Showboat with Vanessa Williams, Norm Lewis: Who Am I?, New Year’s Eve: A Gershwin Celebration with Diane Reeves, as well as American Voices with Renée Fleming, and the PBS Specials First You Dream–The Music of Kander & Ebb and Ella Wishes You A Swingin' Christmas. His many TV and film credits include his recurring role as Senator Edison Davis on the hit drama, Scandal

Norm is a proud founding member of Black Theatre United, an organization that stands together to help protect Black people, Black talent, and Black lives of all shapes and orientations in theatre and communities across the country. 

Corporate Spotlights

ConocoPhillips has been a proud Houston Symphony supporter for more than half a century, and champion of the organization’s efforts to promote music education, cultural relevance, and Houston’s vibrant arts community. 2023 marks the 37th consecutive year as the Opening Night Concert Sponsor and Lead Corporate Gala Underwriter, allowing the Symphony to launch its season with a fitting celebration.

The company’s partnership with the Houston Symphony is just one example of how it gives back to the community. As one of the world’s leading exploration and production companies, ConocoPhillips is committed to being a great neighbor and responsible citizen in the communities in which it lives and works.

Baker Botts has supported the Houston Symphony for decades and continues this support today with a Baker Botts partner serving as the Symphony’s general counsel.

Baker Botts is an international law firm practicing throughout a network of 12 offices around the globe. Based on its experience and knowledge of its clients’ industries, Baker Botts is recognized as a leading firm in the energy, technology, and life sciences sectors. Throughout the firm’s 183-year history, it has provided creative and effective legal solutions for its clients while demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to excellence.

For more information, visit BakerBotts.com.

Keeping ELITE PERFORMERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

At Houston Methodist, we’re proud partners in helping artists achieve peak performance, week in and week out. We treat artists and their unique needs while bringing the same level of specialized care to every patient we serve.

713.790.3333

houstonmethodist.org

BEST TASTING HARD

#1 SELTZER

AS VOT ED BY THE TAS TING PAN E L M

SOURCE: THE TASTING PANEL, JANUARY 2021. RATED VIA BLIND TASTING OF INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AGAINST EIGHT OTHER BRANDS WITHIN THE CATEGORY. FLAVORS TASTED WHERE

Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe

Juraj Valčuha, conductor

Erin Morley, soprano

Houston Symphony Chorus

Allen Hightower, director

0:11 MESSIAEN – Les offrandes oubliées (The Forgotten Offerings)

0:28 POULENC – Gloria

I. Gloria

II. Laudamus Te

III. Domine Deus—

IV. Domine Fili unigenite

V. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei

VI. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris

0:30 RAVEL – Daphnis et Chloé

*Sept. 29: Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 1 & 2

Sept. 30 & Oct. 1: complete ballet score

Opening Night Concert & Gala

September 29, 2023

For gala information visit houstonsymphony.org/openingnight or call 713.337.8523

Concert Sponsor and Lead Corporate Gala Underwriter

About the Music

Friday, September 29

Saturday, September 30

Sunday, October 1

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

The 2023–24 Classical Season is in thanksgiving for Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow

The Cullen Foundation

Maestro's Fund

Grand Guarantor

Thank you to our Houston Symphony Livestream Consortium Donors: Barbara J. Burger

Guarantor

Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun

Underwriter

John & Dorothy McDonald

Supporter

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

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

Program Insight

To celebrate the opening of the Houston Symphony’s 110th anniversary season, Music Director Juraj Valčuha has selected a program of brilliant French masterpieces, each of which explores ideas of the divine. Olivier Messiaen and Francis Poulenc were two leading composers of sacred music in 20th-century France, and the pieces selected for this program reveal their contrasting musical sensibilities. The transfixing mysticism of Messiaen’s Les offrandes oubliées is the perfect foil to the earthy joys of Poulenc’s Gloria. While these two works fall squarely within the Catholic tradition, the second half of the program is wholly pagan. Composed for Segei Diaghilev’s revolutionary Ballets Russes, Daphnis et Chloé is Maurice Ravel’s sumptuous dream of mythic Greece, complete with vivid evocations of nymphs, satyrs, and the musical god Pan—inventor of the panpipes. Fans of Ravel’s music have more to look forward to this season, starting with his Concerto for the Left Hand (of a virtuoso pianist) next weekend. —Calvin

Dotsey

Program Notes

MESSIAEN

Les offrandes oubliées (The Forgotten Offerings) (1930)

As a devout practitioner of a rather idiosyncratic and mystical interpretation of Catholicism, the French composer Olivier Messiaen drew lifelong inspiration from his faith; indeed, almost all his music is connected in some way to his spirituality. This is certainly true of Les offrandes oubliées, a work that dates from the beginning of his long and influential career. Nearing the end of his time as a student at the Paris Conservatoire, Messiaen was only 21 years old when he composed it in 1930 during one of his regular summer holidays to visit his father’s relatives at their farm in Fuligny. The work’s seriousness may in part be inspired by Messiean’s grief over the untimely passing of his mother three years earlier. Devotional verses written by the composer himself preface the work, reflecting its deeply personal significance:

Program Notes

MESSIAEN Les offrandes oubliées (The Forgotten Offerings) (1930)

Les bras étendus, triste jusqu'à la mort, sur l'arbre de la Croix vous répandez votre sang.

Vous nous aimez, doux Jesus, nous l'avions oublié.

Poussés par la folie et le dard du serpent, dans une course haletante, effrénée, sans relâche, nous descendions dans le péché comme dans un tombeau.

Voici la table pure, la source de la charité, le banquet du pauvre, voici la Pitié adorable offrant

le pain de la Vie et de l'Amour. Vous nous aimez, doux Jesus, nous l'avions oublié.

Arms extended, sorrowful unto death, On the tree of the Cross you spill your blood.

You love us, gentle Jesus, but we had forgotten it.

Driven by madness and the serpent’s sting, In a breathless race, frantic, without respite, We descended into sin as into a tomb.

Here is the pure table, the source of charity, The feast of the poor, here is adored Mercy offered The bread of Life and of Love. You love us, gentle Jesus, but we had forgotten it.

Each of the three stanzas corresponds to one of the work’s three parts, respectively titled “Cross,” “Sin,” and “Eucharist.” Marked “Très lent, douloureux, profondément triste” (“Very slow, pained, profoundly sad”), “Cross” features a long, searching line in the strings inspired by medieval plainchant. “Sin” erupts suddenly with brass fanfares marked “Vif, feroce, désespéré, haletante” (“Quick, fierce, desperate, breathless”). Predictably, this is the most exciting of Messiaen’s offerings, filled with unstable Stravinskian rhythms, violent orchestrations, and more than a whiff of brimstone. “Sin” collapses as suddenly as it began, and a low recitative in the cellos and basses recalls the opening “Cross” music and leads to the final “Eucharist.” Marked “Extrêmement lent, avec un grand pitié et un grand amour” (“Extremely slow, with great mercy and great love”), “Eucharist” calls for only a handful of delicate strings: as if reaching for the heavens, the violins arc high above the others, who provide a chorale-like accompaniment. —Calvin Dotsey

POULENC

Gloria (1959)

By 1959, Francis Poulenc was a grand old man of French music; his recent operas Dialogues des Carmélites (1957) and La voix humaine (1959) had both been resounding successes that cemented his international reputation. It was thus no surprise that the Koussevitzky Foundation was eager to commission a new work from the composer. Initially, the Foundation requested a symphony, but Poulenc had little interest in the genre; he also turned down the suggestion of an organ concerto because he had already written one. At last, the Foundation granted him carte blanche, and as it happened the composer had already begun sketching a work that would fit the bill: his Gloria.

Program Notes

POULENC Gloria (1959)

Claude Rostand, a musicologist and friend of Poulenc, famously quipped that “In Poulenc there is something of the monk and something of the rascal.” Poulenc’s Gloria is perhaps the perfect fusion of both the composer’s spirituality and his sense of humor. In a talk, he explained: “At its first performance in Paris, the Gloria caused a considerable shock because there’s a second verse which is clearly treated in a very joyful, almost secular manner. But I'm like Gozzoli. If you go to Florence, to the Riccardi Palace to admire Gozzoli's sublime frescoes and angels—there's a whole series of angels—and if you look at the angels carefully, there’s one who’s sticking his tongue out at his neighbor. I claim that angels aren’t always saints. And I have to tell you that the idea for this second verse, for this kind of levity, was suggested to me by Benedictines I saw playing football [...] I thought it was a delightful notion that these men who were dedicated to prayer, who don’t talk to each other, should be playing football with enthusiasm and cheerfulness [...] The angels stick out their tongues and the Benedictines play football…Why in the Gloria, which is something cheerful, why produce something from a funeral parlor?!”

Poulenc divides the traditional text into six parts for his setting; the opening “Gloria in excelsis Deo” tempers traditional bombast with Poulenc’s characteristically tart harmonies and colorful orchestrations. The following “Laudamus te” is the “second verse” inspired by the football-playing Benedictines. The tempo then slows for a meditative “Domine Deus,” which introduces the soprano soloist, but picks up again in the spritely “Domine Fili unigenite.” The soprano soloist returns for the “Domine Deus, Agnus Dei,” leading the chorus with an otherworldly, almost uncanny melody. In the final “Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris,” the extroverted music that began the Gloria returns, but ultimately fades to hushed silence, as if awed by the mystery of the divine.

Regarding the work, Poulenc reflected, “My religion is that of Bernanos, of St. John of the Cross or of Saint Teresa of Avila. I like an austerity that smells of orange blossom and jasmine [...] I see Heaven as being filled with angels like Gozzoli's [...] It’s their singing I hear, mixed with the light laughter of the nuns, the most ravishing of female laughter.”

—Calvin Dotsey

RAVEL

Daphnis et Chloé (1912)

Initially the brainchild of Russian danseur and choreographer Michel Fokine, Daphnis and Chloe is one of many balletic masterpieces created for Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, which took Paris by storm before the First World War. When Ravel signed on to the project in 1909, Fokine recalled being “delighted that a musician of such talent was going to write music for my Daphnis ballet.”

Ravel was less sanguine, writing to a friend, “I’ve just had an insane week: preparation of a ballet libretto for the next Russian season. Almost every night, work until 3 a.m. What complicates things is that Fokine doesn’t know a word of French, and I only know how to swear in Russian. In spite

Program Notes

RAVEL

Daphnis et Chloé (1912)

of interpreters, you can imagine the savor of these meetings.” Beset with delays and at one point nearly canceled, Daphnis at last premiered at the end of the Ballets Russes’ 1912 season. The music became an instant classic.

The title comes from a tale attributed to the second-century author Longus, but the plot has little resemblance to that of the original. Ravel and Fokine transformed Longus’s bawdy comedy into a myth of faithful love, with all its tribulations and triumphs. Ravel explained, “My intention in writing it was to compose a vast musical fresco in which I was less concerned with archaism than with faithfully reproducing the Greece of my dreams.”

The ballet is divided into three parts; the first opens upon an Arcadian scene. Maidens and youths perform a religious dance at the altar of three nymphs, building to a shimmering orchestral climax. As the music dies away, we meet the titular lovers, Daphnis and Chloe. The other young people entice them to dance with a Ravelian waltz in 7/4 time. Dorcon, an uncouth cowherd, is smitten with Chloe, who rebuffs him. Dorcon and Daphnis then compete in a dancing contest to win a kiss from Chloe; Dorcon’s “grotesque dance” (introduced by bassoons and timpani) is bested by Daphnis’s “light and graceful dance;” Daphnis enjoys his victorious kiss before Chloe is whisked away by the crowd, leaving him alone. Now the shepherdess Lyceion (represented by a pair of flirtatious clarinets) attempts to seduce Daphnis—but he has eyes only for Chloe. Suddenly, pirates appear with a rumbling from the depths of the orchestra. Alarmed, Daphnis rushes to find Chloe, but the pirates capture her. Amid hushed tremolo strings, the three nymphs then appear to console Daphnis and beseech the god Pan to reunite the lovers.

A nocturne for unaccompanied chorus links the first part to the second, set in the pirates’ encampment. Ravel later extracted this nocturne and the pirates’ ensuing Danse guerrière (warlike dance) as the ballet’s Suite No. 1. After this lurid pageant of piracy, Chloe is brought before Bryaxis, the pirates’ nefarious leader. Accompanied by sighing strings, she performs a dance of supplication. Twice she attempts to escape, and twice she is recaptured. Just as Bryaxis is about to carry her off, the shadow of the god Pan appears upon the distant hills; his satyrs and strange creatures surround the pirates, who flee in terror.

The third part (which Ravel used for his Suite No. 2), opens with a breathtaking musical sunrise. Shepherds awaken the sleeping Daphnis. Chloe appears from their midst, and the sunrise music returns as the lovers are reunited. The old shepherd Lammon (voiced by a solo oboe), then explains that Pan’s unrequited love for the nymph Syrinx moved the god to save Chloe. The couple retells the myth with Daphnis as the amorous Pan and Chloe the unobtainable Syrinx. The maidens and youths then reappear, instigating a finale of Dyonisian revelry. —Calvin Dotsey

Program Bios

Juraj Valčuha, conductor

See

p. 6 for bio

Police and Venus in a new production of Le Grand Macabre at Bayerische Staatsoper.

Allen Hightower, Houston Symphony Chorus Director

Erin Morley, soprano

One of today’s most sought-after lyric coloratura sopranos, Erin Morley’s performances have garnered worldwide critical acclaim. Recent engagements include Pamina in a new production of Die Zauberflöte, Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier, and the title role in the premiere of Matthew Aucoin’s Eurydice, all at the Metropolitan Opera; Gilda in Rigoletto at the Wiener Staatsoper and the Staatsoper Berlin; Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos for her Teatro alla Scala debut; Norina in Don Pasquale at Glyndebourne Festival; Morgana in a tour of Alcina with Les Musiciens du Louvre; Poulenc’s Gloria with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra; Orff’s Carmina burana with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Andris Nelsons, and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Riccardo Muti.

Future plans include her debut at the Royal Opera House as Gilda as well as her debut as the Chief of

Her many recordings include Sophie in the Met’s Grammynominated Der Rosenkavalier on DVD/Blu-Ray for the Decca label; Sandrina, La Finta Giardiniera with Emmanuelle Haïm in Opéra de Lille’s production for the Erato label; Woglinde, Götterdämmerung in the Metropolitan Opera’s Grammy Award-winning Lepage Ring Cycle for Deutsche Grammophon; Marguerite de Valois, Les Huguenots, live from Bard SummerScape for the American Symphony Orchestra; Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 3 “Espansiva” with Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic for Da Capo Records; and Sylvie in Gounod’s opéra-comique La Colombe with Sir Mark Elder and The Hallé Orchestra for the Opera Rara label.

A recipient of the Beverly Sills Award and a graduate of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, Erin received her undergraduate degree from the Eastman School of Music, her master of music voice degree from The Juilliard School and artist diploma from the Juilliard Opera Center in 2007. Awards include First Prize in the Jessie Kneisel Lieder Competition in 2002, First Place in the Licia Albanese–Puccini Foundation Competition in 2006, and the Richard Tucker Career Grant in 2013. 

See p. 32 for bio

Consider supporting the Houston Symphony’s Annual Fund! When you give a one-time donation or commit to a monthly donation, you become a Friend of the Houston Symphony and get access to donor benefits that make your night out at Jones Hall even more incredible. The Symphony is offering Classical and Bank of America POPS specific benefits for the 2023–24 Season!

Immerse yourself in the world of classical music as a Classical donor! Enjoy exclusive access to private rehearsals with pre-rehearsal lectures and invitations to “Meet the Orchestra” events where you can chat with the talented musicians of our orchestra. Donors also receive early bird ticket email notifications, up to six Theater District Parking passes, and more.

Embrace the vibrant energy of the Bank of America POPS Series as a POPS donor. Get access to exclusive opportunities like postconcert meet and greets with POPS guest artists, and enjoy other fun perks like complimentary drink coupons, passes to access donor lounges before concerts and during intermission, and POPS posters signed by Principal POPS conductor Steven Reineke!

You can enjoy all these benefits and more when you become an annual donor!

To see a full list of donor benefits, visit houstonsymphony.org/annual-support. To donate to the Houston Symphony Annual Fund, visit houstonsymphony.org/donate or scan the QR code.

Are you passionate about music and want to get more out of your Houston Symphony experience?

2023–24 CLASSICAL DONOR BENEFITS

2023–24 POPS DONOR BENEFITS

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.

CHORUS ROSTER

Christin Abbott

Steve Abercia

Mary Ann Addis

Ayden Adler

Bob Alban

Aura Alden

Kelsie Andrews

Mark Anstrom

Keith Anthis

Christina Aranda

Allison Arnold

Kendall Aleksandra Banasiak

Justin Becker

Dave Blassingame

Sarah Blumhardt

Randy Boatright

Criselda A.Bocanegra

Angela Bongat Seaman

Jonathan Bordelon

Kirsten Brents

Marissa Cano

Doni L. Hickmott-Carder

Matthew Chan

Danielle Charvoz

Tatiana Chavanelle

William K. (Bill) Cheadle

Ishani Chowdhury

Elizabeth Chrisman Shurtz

Nancy Christopherson

Nicole Colby-Bordelon

Coltyn Collins

Chloe Hope Cook

Matthew Cramerus

Paul Dabney

Christine Donley

Michael Dorn

EmilyAnn Duffley

Steve Dukes

Paul Ehrsam

Georgia Elgohary

Leanna Elkins

Nicole Elliott

Monica Ely

Chris Fair

Ian Wayne Fetterley

Julia FitzGerald

Dylan Fornshell

Jim Friedhofer

Kathryn Fry

Joseph S. Frybert

Frank Gassmann VI

Michael Glen Gilbert

Rex Gillit

Robert Lee Gomez

Gabriela Gonzalez

Melisa Gultan

Susan Hall

Dee Hampton

Beth Ann Hibbs

Marlea Hoover Hodgin

Kathleen Holder

Chase Holub

MaryKate Hotaling

Catherine Howard

George Howe

Jillian Hughes

Stephen James

Jill Jensen

Stephen Jensen

Denise Johnson

Lawrence Johnson Jr.

Michael Kessler

Jacqueline Klein

Nobuhide Kobori

Elizabeth Kragas

Kat Kunz

Brian K. Lassinger

Nathan Lazenberry

Jiapei Yang Li

Rachel Lootens

Tanya Lovetro

Benjamin K. Luss

Brendan Lutes

Virginia Ruth Lynn

Ken Mathews

Blake Malone McCleary

Jessica Melancon

Scott Mermelstein

Melissa Miles

Andrea Lee Mitchell

James K. Moore

Robert Nash

Benedict Tri Nguyen

Nam Nguyen

Taylor Norhawitz

Fumiko Ogasawara

Theresa Olin

David M. Opheim

Janwin Overstreet-Goode

Bill Parker

Jennifer S. Paulson

Ariella Perlman

Lauren Price

Greg Railsback

Karen Ramirez Cabrera

Maria Ramos

Rafael Ramos

Linda Renner

John Richardson

Dylan Marcus Rivera

Douglas Rodenberger

Carolyn Rogan

James Romig

Jennifer Romig

Missy Roth

Marta Salazar

Emily Elizabeth Sanders

Tiffany Sau

Tony Sessions

Claire Sewell

Sarah Jessica Silva

Shane Smith

Ashley Sorensen

Dewell Springer

Mark Standridge

Lisa Marut-Shriver

Carol Strawn

Lauren Suchy

Todd Swann

Suzanne Thacker

Paul Van Dorn

S. V. Villano

Sarai Villatoro

Mary Voigt

Jackie Vondette

Beth Anne Weidler

David Weiser

David Wellborn

Andersen White

Crystal Lynn White

Natalie White

Lance Thomas Wilcox

Lance Wilcox

John Williams

Lee Estes Williams

Grace Zeinieh

Abigail Zuniga

FROM MAESTROS TO MOZART:

Houston Symphony Donors Tour Munich and Salzburg

In July, a group of 20 Houston Symphony donors traveled to Europe for a tour filled with art, music, and culture. Visiting Munich, Germany and Salzburg, Austria, the donors enjoyed classical music performances and private recitals from worldrenowned musicians, attended receptions, visited museums, and dined at Michelin-starred restaurants.

The donors arrived in Munich on July 21 where they attended a group reception at the Mandarin Oriental hotel on Friday night. The following day, donors met with their tour guide Dr. Susanna Waldorf and visited some unique small museums. Highlights included visits to Villa Stuck, Lenbachhaus—the former residence of 19th-century artist Franz von Lenbach, an architecture tour of the buildings on Maximilianstrasse, and a special tour of the Bavarian Royal House of Wittelsbach. Their stay in Munich also included some stellar music performances. On July 23, donors enjoyed Damiano Michieletto’s production of Verdi’s Aïda, helmed by Daniele Rustioni and starring opera superstars Elena Stikhina and Riccardo Massi. On

July 24, donors attended a performance of Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde. The Krzysztof Warlikowski production featured a fantastic cast that included soprano Anja Harteros, heldentenor Stuart Skelton, bass René Pape, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, and bass-baritone Wolfgang Koch. Their stay in Munich culminated in a recital by tenor opera singer Piotr Beczala at the Nationaltheater, Germany’s largest opera house.

The group moved on to Salzburg, Austria, on July 26 and headed to the Felsenreitschule Theater for a performance of Joseph Haydn’s Die Schöpfung (The Creation), a three-part oratorio performed by La Capella Nacional de Cataluyna and Le Concert des Nations, with soloists, and led by Maestro Jordi Savall. The next day, the group took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Salzburg Festival theater facilities followed by an evening recital from virtuoso pianist Daniil Trifonov at the Grosses Festspielhaus theater, where he performed works by Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Ravel, Mozart, and Skryabin. On July 28, donors took a

Donors enjoyed a performance of the opera Semele at the Prinzregententheater in Munich.

Houston Symphony Executive Director/CEO John Mangum (left) with tenor Johnathan Tetelman (right) at a private meet and greet with Symphony donors ahead of his performance in Macbeth.

The Felsenreitschule theatre is a historic venue originally constructed in the 16th-century—an original portion of the stage, which was carved into the Mönchsberg mountain, is still visible today. It’s also famous for its appearance in the The Sound of Music film—it’s where the Von Trapp family performed before their escape.

guided tour of Mozart’s residence concluding with a private recital. They then attended a reception with invited Salzburg guests and artists at the Rudolf Budja Gallery and continued to the Grosses Festspielhaus to enjoy the Vienna Philharmonic’s performance of Brahms’s A German Requiem led by Maestro Christian Thielemann and featuring soloists soprano Elsa Dreisig and baritone Michael Volle. To celebrate the last day of the tour, donors were treated to a special lunch at Chef Andreas Kaiblinger’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Esszimmer. In the evening, they viewed one last opera—Verdi’s Macbeth—led by Maestro Philippe Jordan with new staging by Krzysztof Warlikowski The opera featured American tenor Jonathan Tetelman, who held a private meet and greet with donors the night before.

Even after the Houston Symphony donors bid farewell to the enchanting sights and sounds of Munich and Salzburg, the memory of their unforgettable journey continues to endure, forever enriching their love for their Symphony.

—Lauren Buchanan

23 / 24

SEASON

PICK 3 PACKAGES AND TICKETS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONCERTS ON SALE NOW

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

• Superstar pianist Daniil Trifonov plays Mozart, Felix Mendelssohn and Beethoven in solo recital

• New suite from jazz great Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones

• Pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason plays Chopin, Schumann and Haydn in her first Houston appearance

• International String Quartets: Isidore Quartet, Elias Quartet and Danish Quartet

• Celebration of composer Fanny Mendelssohn in concert and film

• Jazz series with Joshua Redman and guitarist Bill Frisell

And many more outstanding chamber music and jazz musicians and ensembles.

Donors enjoying lunch at the Michelin-starred restaurant Esszimmer, in Salzburg, Austria.

At the end of their tour of Mozart’s residence in Salzburg, Austria, donors enjoyed a private concert from a young Polish pianist who performed on Mozart’s piano.

Our Donors

Annual Support

The Houston Symphony gratefully acknowledges those who support our artistic, educational, and community engagement programs through their generosity to our Annual Fund and Special Events. For more information, please contact Tim Richey, Director, Individual Giving, at tim.richey@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8531.

As of August 31, 2023

$150,000+

Barbara J. Burger

Janet F. Clark

Dr. Sippi and Mr. Ajay Khurana

Rochelle* & Max Levit

Barbara and Pat McCelvey

Bobbie Nau

$50,000+ $100,000+

Gary and Marian Beauchamp/ The Beauchamp Foundation

Drs. Dennis & Susan Carlyle

Jane and Robert* Cizik

Virginia A. Clark

Joan and Bob Duff

Drs. M.S. and Marie-Luise Kalsi

Cora Sue and Harry* Mach

$25,000+

Farida Abjani

Dr. Angela R. Apollo

Ann & Jonathan Ayre

Dr. Gudrun H. Becker

Eric D. Brueggeman

Michael H. Clark & Sallie

Morian

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Elsenbrook

Ms. Carolyn Faulk

Mr.* & Mrs. Marvy A. Finger

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Firestone

Mr. & Mrs. Russell M. Frankel

Evan B. Glick

Catherine and Brian James

$15,000+

Nina K. Andrews

Dr. Saúl and Ursula Balagura

Anne Morgan Barrett

Nancy and Walter Bratic

Mr. Gordon J. Brodfuehrer

Terry Ann Brown

Mr. Bill Bullock

Mr. Robert Bunch and Ms. Lilia Khakimova

Roger and Debby Cutler

Valerie Palmquist Dieterich and Tracy Dieterich

Mike and Debra Dishberger

Connie Dyer

Sidney Faust

Eugene Fong

Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor

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

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

Mike Stude

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor

Margaret Alkek Williams

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 Mr. Stephen McCauley

Revati Puranik

Laurie A. Rachford

Donna Scott and Mitch Glassman

Margaret & Joel Shannon

Mr. Jay Steinfeld and Mrs. Barbara Winthrop

Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen Marks

John L. Nau III

Robin Angly & Miles Smith

Alana R. Spiwak & Sam L. Stolbun

Terry Thomas

Shirley W. Toomim

Hallie A. Vanderhider

Robert G. Weiner & Toni Blankmann

Dr. John R. Stroehlein and Miwa Sakashita

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tsuru

Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber

Steven & Nancy Williams

Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wallace S. Wilson

Ellen A. Yarrell Anonymous

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

** Education and Community Engagement Donor

* Deceased

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

Mrs. Sybil F. Roos

Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum

Kathy & Ed Segner

Tad & Suzanne Smith

Drs. Carol & Michael Stelling

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

Jay & Gretchen Watkins

Dede Weil

Vicki West

Our Donors

$10,000+

Marcie & Nick Alexos

Edward H. Andrews III

Ms. Jacqueline Baly

Mr. and Mrs. David J. Beck

James and Dale Brannon

Ralph Burch

Dr. Robert N. Chanon

Coneway Family Foundation

Brad and Joan Corson

Andrew Davis & Corey Tu

Dr. Alex Dell

Jeanette and John DiFilippo

Vicky Dominguez

Drs. Rosalind and Gary Dworkin

$5,000+

Dr. & Mrs. George J. Abdo

Lilly and Thurmon Andress

Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron

Mr. Jeff Autor

Mrs. Bonnie Bauer

Kimberly and James Bell

Joan H. Bitar, MD

Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Bowman

Mrs. Vada Boyle

James and Judy Bozeman

Mr. and Mrs. Sverre

Brandsberg-Dahl

Mr. Chester Brooke and Dr. Nancy Poindexter

Barbara A. Brooks

Lindsay Buchanan

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

Mr. and Mrs. James L. Cross

Ms. Elisabeth DeWitts

Kathy and Frank

Dilenschneider

Ms. Cynthia Diller

The Ensell Family

Mr. Parrish N. Erwin Jr.

Paula & Louis Faillace

Kelli Cohen Fein & Martin Fein

Ms. Ursula H. Felmet

Mrs. Mary Foster & Mr. Don DeSimone

Ron Franklin & Janet Gurwitch

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Gaidos

Nancy D. Giles

Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves

Mr. and Mrs.* Jerry L. Hamaker

Ms. Katherine Hill

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

Ms. Leslie Nossaman

The Carl M. Padgett Family

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pastorek

Mr. Zeljko Pavlovic

Lila Rauch*

Robert K. Rogerson

Toni Oplt & Ed Schneider

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

Cecilia and Luciano Vasconcellos

Mr. & Mrs. Tony Williford

Doug and Kay Wilson

Ms. Beth Wolff

Nina and Michael Zilkha

Anonymous

Dr. Richard Fish and Marie Hoke Fish

Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Franco

Bill & Diana Freeman

Edwin Friedrichs & Darlene Clark

Dr. Eugenia C. George

Grace Ho and Joe Goetz

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

Mrs. Ann G. Hightower

Katherine and Archibald Hill

C. Birk Hutchens

Steve and Kerry Incavo

Marzena and Jacek Jaminski

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. Mandy Kao

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

Kirby and David Lodholz

Richard Loewenstern

Ms. Tama Lundquist

Alison and Ara Malkhassian

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Matiuk

Ms. Kathy McCraigh

Ms. and Mr. Carol 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

Mr. and Mrs. Raul Pavon

Michael P. and Shirley

Pearson

Mr. Robert J. Pilegge

Dr. and Mrs. Taj Popatia

Heather & Chris Powers

Tim and Katherine Pownell

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

Lori Harrington and Parashar Saikia

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

Elizabeth and Alan Stein

Mr. & Mrs. Hans Strohmer

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

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

Mrs. Lorraine Wulfe

Erla & Harry Zuber

Anonymous (7)

Our Donors

$2,500+

Pat and John Anderson

Mr. Tom Anderson

Dr. Julia Andrieni and Dr. Rob Phillips

Rick Ankrom

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Banks

Consurgo Sunshine

Dr. and Mrs. 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

Justice Brett and Erin Busby

Cheryl & Sam* Byington

Greta Carlson

Margot & John Cater

Drs. David A. Cech and Mary R. Schwartz

Dr. and Dr. Stephen Chen

Mr. Per Staunstrup

Christiansen

Lynn Coe

Ms. Sandra Cooper

Mr. and Mrs. John Dabbar

Mrs. Myriam Degreve

Joseph and Rebecca Demeter

Mrs. Edward N. Earle

Mr. John Egbert and Ms. Kathy Beck

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

Aubrey* & Sylvia Farb

Mrs. Christina Fontenot

Mr. and Mrs. David French

Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Fusillo

Ms. Leslie Gassner

Wm. David George, Ph.D.

Dr. Michael Gillin and Ms. Pamela Newberry

Ms. Lidiya Gold

Julianne & David Gorte

Mr. William Gray and Mrs. Clare Fontenot-Gray

Cortney Guebara

Eric and Angelea Halen

Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Hall

Dr. & Mrs. Carlos R. Hamilton

Jr.

Barbara and Christopher Hekel

Richard and Arianda Hicks

Maureen Y. Higdon

Mr. Stanley Hoffberger

Mr. and Mrs. John Homier

Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Hunton

Mariya Idenova

Mr. Daniel Irion

Mr. and Mrs. Rick C. Jaramillo

Mady & Ken Kades

Anna Kaplan

Kathryn L. Ketelsen

Jane & Kevin Kremer

Connie Kwan-Wong

Stephanie and Richard Langenstein

Ms. Debra Laws

Dr. Hilary Beaver & Dr. Andrew Lee

Mrs. Evelyn Leightman

Mrs. Raquel Lewis

Mr. William W. Lindley

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Lubanko

Mr. & Mrs. Peter MacGregor

Ms. Tina Maddox

Ms. Marquardsen

Mr. and Mrs. Wallis Marsh

David and Heidi Massin

William D. & Karinne McCullough

Mary Ann & David McKeithan

Music Director Fund

Ms. Kristen Meneilly

Stephen & Marilyn Miles

Larry and Lyn Miller

Mr. David Ming

Ginni and Richard Mithoff

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

Linda Tarpley Peterson

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

Mrs. Diane Roederer

Mr. & Mrs. John Ryder

Mr. Robert T. Sakowitz

Harold H. Sandstead, M.D.

Gina & Saib Saour

Lawrence P. Schanzmeyer

Mr. Tony W. Schlicht

Dr. Mark A. Schusterman

Mr. and Mrs. Steven Schwarzbach

Ms. Becky V. Shaw

Mr. Carlos Sierra

Leslie Siller

Hinda Simon

Ms. Diana Skerl

Mr. and Mrs. David Smith

Georgiana Stanley

Jeaneen and Tim Stastny

Mr. William W. Stubbs

Dr. and Mrs. Van W. Teeters

Emily H. & David K. Terry

Juliana and Stephen Tew

Musicians of the Houston Symphony Inc.

Jean and Doug Thomas

Courtney & Bill Toomey

Sal and Denise Torrisi

Patricia Van Allan

H. Richard Walton

Nancy Ames and Danny Ward

Alton and Carolyn Warren

Dr. and Mrs. Richard T. Weiss

Dr. Robert Wilkins and Dr. Mary Ann ReynoldsWilkins

Scott and Lori Wulfe

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Yatauro

Robert and Michele Yekovich

Mrs. Linda Yelin

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zabriskie Anonymous (4)

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

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

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

Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl, Vice Chair

YAC - CONDUCTOR'S CIRCLE ($5,000+)

Carrie and Sverre BrandsbergDahl#

Eric Brueggeman

Lindsay Buchanan#

Denise and Brandon Davis

Vicky Dominguez

Carolyn and Patrick Gaidos

Claudio Gutiérrez

Elaine and Jeff Hiller#

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

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

Amber Ali

Fiona Anklesaria

Luisa Banos and Vladi Gorelik

Amanda Beatriz

Adair and Kevin Brueggeman

David Chaluh

Lincoln Chen

Megan and John Degenstein

Chante Westmoreland Dillard and Joseph Dillard

Laurel Flores#

Ryan Cantrell

Andria Elkins

Allegra Lilly and Robin Kesselman#

Kelser McMiller#

Gwen and Jay McMurrey

Laurel Flores, Communications Chair

Jeff Hiller, Membership Chair

Carey Kirkpatrick

Elissa and Jarrod Martin

Aprill Nelson#

Liana and Andrew Schwaitzberg#

Aerin and Quentin Smith#

Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah

Emily and Joseph MorrelPorter Hedges LLP

Stephanie Weber and Paul Muri

Maxine Olefsky and Justin Kenney

Kusum and K. Cody Patel#

Justin Stenberg#

Kristin and Leonard Wood

Owen Zhang

Evin Ashley Erdoğdu

Florence Francis

Kallie Gallagher

Patrick B. Garvey

Amy Goodpasture

Rebecca and Andrew Gould

Nicholas Gruy

Lori Harrington and Parashar Saikia

Ashley and John Horstman

C. Birk Hutchens

Mariya Idenova

Jonathan T. Jan

Anna Kaplan

Kirby and David Lodholz#

Marisa and Tandy Lofland

Joel Luks

Miriam Meriwani

Shane A. Miller

David Moyer

Trevor Myers

Lee Bar-Eli and Cliff Nash

Lauren Paine

Blake Plaster

Clarice Jacobson and Brian Rosenzweig

Chicovia Scott

Carlos Sierra

Leonardo Soto

Bryce Swinford

Elise Wagner#

Alexander Webb

Marquis Wincher

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

Principal Corporate Guarantor ($250,000 and above)

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

Grand Guarantor ($150,000 and above)

ConocoPhillips**

Guarantor ($100,000 and above)

Bank of America

Boston Consulting Group*

Frost Bank

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)

City Kitchen* Faberge Gorman’s Uniform Service

Supporter ($10,000 and above)

Accordant Advisors*

Houston First Corporation*

Marine Foods Express, Ltd.**

Mark Kamin & Associates

Benefactor ($5,000 and above)

Beck Redden LLP

Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc.

Patron (Gifts below $5,000)

Amazon

Avatar Innovations

Baker Hughes

BeDESIGN*

Christian Dior

KTRK ABC-13*

Houston Methodist* Kalsi Engineering

Oliver Wyman*

Kinder Morgan Foundation** Kirkland & Ellis

The Lancaster Hotel* Nexus Health Systems Oxy** PNC**

Rémy Martin Sewell

Neiman Marcus* One Market Square Garage* Rand Group, LLC*

Jackson & Company* Lockton Companies of Houston

New Timmy Chan Corporation

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

Quantum Energy Partners

University of St. Thomas*

Wortham Insurance & Risk Management

Gulf Coast Distillers *

KPMG US Foundation, Inc.

Mercantil ONEOK, Inc.

Quantum Bass Center*

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

PaperCity* Shell USA, Inc.**

Silver Eagle Beverages* Truist

Silver Eagle Distributors Houston, LLC

Univision Houston & Amor

106.5FM

Vinson & Elkins LLP

USI Southwest

Sire Spirits

Beth Wolff Realtors

Zenfilm*

SEI, Global Institutional Group

Smith, Graham & Company

Stewart Title Company

TAM International, Inc.

* Includes in-kind support

**Education and Community Engagement Support

Corporate, Foundation & Government Partners

FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (as of August 31, 2023)

Diamond Guarantor ($1,000,000 and above)

The Brown Foundation, Inc.

Houston Symphony Endowment**

Premier Guarantor ($500,000 and above)

The Alkek and Williams Foundation

Grand Guarantor ($150,000 and above)

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts

The Hearst Foundation**

The Humphreys Foundation

Guarantor ($100,000 and above)

City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board**

Underwriter ($50,000 and above)

Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation

Beauchamp Foundation

The Elkins Foundation

Sponsor ($25,000 and above)

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

Partner ($15,000 and above)

Ruth & Ted Bauer Family Foundation**

Supporter ($10,000 and above)

Edward H. Andrews

The Carleen & Alde Fridge Foundation

George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation

Benefactor ($5,000 and above)

The Blanche Stastny Foundation

Leon Jaworski Foundation

Patron (Gifts below $5,000)

The Lubrizol Foundation

The Scurlock Foundation

Houston Symphony League

The Wortham Foundation, Inc.

City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

The Cullen Foundation

MD Anderson Foundation National Endowment for the Arts

The C. Howard Pieper Foundation

Texas Commission on the Arts**

The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation

The Houston Arts Combined Endowment Fund

The Fondren Foundation Houston Symphony Chorus Endowment

LTR Lewis Cloverdale Foundation

William S. & Lora Jean Kilroy Foundation

The Vivian L. Smith Foundation**

The Hood-Barrow Foundation Sterling-Turner Foundation

Petrello Family Foundation

The Pierce Runnells Foundation Strake Foundation**

William E. & Natoma Pyle Harvey Charitable 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.

John P. McGovern Foundation**

The Powell Foundation**

The William Stamps Farish Fund

The Radoff Family Foundation

Keith & Mattie Stevenson Foundation

**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

ENDOWMENT FUNDS $250,000+

Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Chair Brinton Averil Smith, Principal Cello

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

William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Education Programs

Ajay

The General and Mrs. Maurice Hirsch Memorial Concert Fund in memory of Theresa Meyer and Jules Hirsch, beloved parents of General Maurice Hirsch, and Rosetta Hirsch Weil and Josie Hirsch Bloch, beloved sisters of General Maurice Hirsch

General Maurice Hirsch Chair

Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute

Houston Symphony Chorus Fund

Joan and Marvin Kaplan Fund

Ellen E. Kelley Chair

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Max Levine Chair

Yoonshin Song, Concertmaster

Mary R. Lewis Fund for Piano Performance

M.D. Anderson Foundation Fund

Mary Lynn and Steve Marks Fund

Barbara and Pat McCelvey Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan Endowed Chair

William VerMeulen, Principal Horn

Monroe L. Mendelsohn Jr. Fund

George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Summer Concerts Fund

Bobbie Nau Chair Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet

C. Howard Pieper Foundation Fund

Walter W. Sapp Fund, Legacy Society Co-Founder

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

The Schissler Foundation Fund

Spec’s Charitable Foundation Salute to Educators Concert Fund

The Micijah S. Stude Special Production Fund

Bobby and Phoebe Tudor Fund

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 Dee Hunt

Khurana

Lynn Mathre Scott Wise

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 August 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

Farida Abjani

Dr. Antonio Arana*

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey B. Aron

George* and Betty Bashen

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

Michael B. George

Mauro H. Gimenez and Connie A. Coulomb

Bill Grieves*

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

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

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*

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

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

Jenny and Tadjin* Popatia

Geraldine Smith Priest

Dana Puddy

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

Nancy B. Willerson

Susan Gail Wood

Jo Dee Wright

Ellen A. Yarrell

Anonymous (2)

Patrick T. Quinn

Lila Rauch*

Ed and Janet Rinehart

Mr. Floyd W. Robinson

Walter Ross*

Dr. and Mrs. Kazuo Shimada

Lisa and Jerry Simon

Tad and Suzanne Smith

Sherry Snyder

Marie Speziale

Emily H. and David K. Terry

Doug and Jean Thomas

Stephen G. Tipps

Steve Tostengard*, in memory of Ardyce Tostengard

Jana Vander Lee

Bill and Agnete Vaughan

Dean B. Walker

Stephen and Kristine Wallace

Geoffrey Westergaard

Jennifer R. Wittman

Lorraine and Ed* Wulfe

David and Tara Wuthrich

Katherine and Mark Yzaguirre

Anonymous (8)

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 August 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

Nancy and Walter Bratic

Christopher Neal, First Violin

Mr. Gordon J. Brodfuehrer

Maki Kubota, Cello

Mr. Robert Bunch and Ms. Lilia Khakimova

Alexander Potiomkin, Bass Clarinet and Clarinet

Ralph Burch

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

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

Steve and Mary Gangelhoff

Judy Dines, Flute

Stephen and Mariglyn Glenn

Christian Schubert, Clarinet

Evan B. Glick

Fay Shapiro, Viola

Suzan and Julius Glickman

Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal Clarinet and E-flat Clarinet

Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Gorman

Christopher French, Associate Principal Cello

Mark and Ragna Henrichs

Donald Howey, Double Bass

Gary L. Hollingsworth and Kenneth J. Hyde

Robert Walp, Assistant Principal Trumpet

Mrs. James E. Hooks

Burke Shaw, Double Bass

Drs. M.S. and Marie-Luise

Kalsi

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Joan & Marvin Kaplan

Foundation/The Kaplan, Brooks, and Bruch Families

Mark Nuccio, Principal Clarinet

Dr. 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

Rochelle* and Max Levit

Sergei Galperin, First Violin

Cindy Mao and Michael Ma

Si-Yang Lao, First Violin

Cora Sue and Harry* Mach

Joan DerHovsepian, Principal Viola

Joella and Steven P. Mach

Eric Larson, Double Bass

Mrs. Carolyn and Dr. Michael Mann

Ian Mayton, Horn

Cindy Mao and Michael Ma

Si-Yang Lao, First Violin

Mr. and Mrs. Rodney H.

Margolis

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen Marks

Brian Del Signore, Principal Percussion

Mr. Jay Marks

Sergei Galperin, First Violin

Michelle and Jack Matzer

Kurt Johnson, First Violin

Barbara and Pat McCelvey

Adam Dinitz, English Horn

Muffy and Mike McLanahan

William VerMeulen, Principal Horn

Dr. Eric McLaughlin and Mr. Eliodoro Castillo

Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe

Martha and Marvin McMurrey

Rodica Gonzalez, First Violin

Dr. Miguel & Mrs. Valerie MiroQuesada

Leonardo Soto, Principal

Timpani

Rita and Paul Morico

Elise Wagner, Bassoon

Scott and Judy Nyquist

Sheldon Person, Viola

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

MiHee Chung, First Violin

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan E. Parker

Jeffrey Butler, Cello

Mr. David Peavy and Mr. Stephen McCauley

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

Ron and Demi Rand

Annie Chen, Second Violin

Ed & Janet Rinehart

Amy Semes, Associate Principal Violin

Mrs. Sybil F. Roos

Mark Hughes, Principal Trumpet

Mr. Glen A. Rosenbaum

Aralee Dorough, Principal Flute

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

Anthony Kitai, Cello

Kathy and Ed Segner

Kathryn Ladner, Flute & Piccolo

Mr. and Mrs. James A. Shaffer

Eric Halen, Co-Concertmaster

Margaret and Joel Shannon

Rainel Joubert, Violin–Community-Embedded Musician

Tad and Suzanne Smith

Marina Brubaker, First Violin

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

Judith Vincent

Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal Flute

Margaret Waisman, M.D. and Steven S. Callahan, Ph.D. Mark Griffith, Percussion

Stephen and Kristine Wallace

Rian Craypo, Principal Bassoon

Mr. & Mrs. Fredric A. Weber

Allegra Lilly, 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

Jeanie Kilroy Wilson and Wallace S. Wilson

Xiao Wong, Cello

Nina and Michael Zilkha

Kurt Johnson, First Violin

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 September 6, 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 LEAGUE

SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY LEAGUE:

DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY?

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER?

Formed in 1937, the Houston Symphony League is an organization dedicated to supporting the Houston Symphony and its educational enrichment of our city. For more than 80 years, members of the League have devoted their time to raising funds for the orchestra, volunteering at Symphony Education and Community Engagement programs, organizing and serving on committees for Symphony special events, and planning social events and other activities for members.

SEONG-JIN CHO

First Prize Winner of the International Chopin Piano Competition

Seong-Jin Cho plays ravel

Oct. 7 & 8 | Jones Hall

Juraj Valčuha, conductor

Seong-Jin Cho, piano

B. JOLAS A Little Summer Suite

RAVEL Concerto for the Left Hand BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique

“Cho is a master… remarkable technique, dispatched with jawdropping panache.”

VALČUHA CONDUCTS RACHMANINOFF

Nov. 10, 11, & 12 | Jones Hall

Juraj Valčuha, conductor

Behzod Abduraimov, piano

G. ORTIZ Kauyumari

PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2

RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances

Friends of Chamber Music BCS has been bringing world's best classical and jazz artists to the Brazos Valley since 1997.

Meet the musician:

ALLEGRA LILLY

Principal Harp

Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

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

I started playing the harp when I was seven years old, two years after starting piano lessons. My relationship with the harp is ever-evolving, but what I love most about the harp lately is that it is fundamentally a percussion instrument. Though it has 47 strings, the harp is not bowed, so I don’t think of it as part of the string section. In my mind, the harp is a member of the percussion family, and we actually get quite a bit of rhythmic material to play. I love the cognitive dissonance of this ethereal, angelic instrument being the one to lay down the beat.

What concert are you most looking forward to performing this season?

I’d have to call it a tie between Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with our superb Concertmaster Yoonshin Song in January and Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 in March.

What is your favorite piece of music?

I think it's impossible to choose just one! Can I pick six?! I love Stravinsky's Petrouchka and Le Chant du Rossignol, Bartok's The Miraculous Mandarin and The Wooden Prince , and Prokofiev's Second and Third Piano Concertos. But I also love more works by Mahler, Debussy, and Ravel than I could possibly name here. Like I said... impossible to choose just one!

Outside of classical music, what genre of music is your favorite?

I listen to a little bit of everything, but I'd have to say the genres and bands I come back to most often are grunge, classic rock, and rap.

My husband, Houston Symphony Principal Bass Robin Kesselman, and me right before our wedding (2021)

Hiking at Connemara National Park in County Galway, Ireland (2022)

Scan here to read the full interview with Allegra Lilly!