2012-2013 Houston Symphony POPS Brochure

Music You Know Music You Love Featuring West Side Story Complete Film with Live Orchestra

Houston Symphony 2012 • 2013 POPS Season

From the Jersey Boys to the Jets, this season has it all.

The 2012–2013 POPS Season is filled with great music you will love to hear, partnered with stunning visuals, wonderful guest artists and more.

Mike has included selections from iconic performers, the stage and screen and annual favorites to create a season you won’t want to miss.

Table of Contents Subscriber & Donor Rewards.........................................3 2012–2013 Pops Season...............................................4 Symphony Specials.......................................................11 Make a Donation..........................................................12 Order Season Tickets....................................................14

“What better way to experience the music you know and the music you love than with the incomparable Houston Symphony? Every Pops concert is designed with you in mind. We want to rekindle fond memories, touch your soul, and put a smile on your face. Join us for these memorable programs. I’ll see you there!”

– Michael Krajewski, Principal Pops Conductor

Subscribers have rewards!

Being a season ticket holder is the best way to experience the Houston Symphony. Save up to $150 and receive these added benefits: BEST PRICE – Save up to 40% off the price of individual tickets. All subscriptions are discounted.

FREE SEAT EXCHANGES – You can exchange your tickets to another performance when your schedule gets in the way. Only subscribers to six or more concerts can exchange without the exchange fee.

SAME GREAT SEATS – Your seat is YOURS for all the concerts in your package. Plus, you will have first access to keep or upgrade your seats during renewals for the Centennial Season in 2013–2014!

PRIORITY FOR SPECIAL CONCERTS – You get advance access to the best seats before the general public.

DISCOUNTS & PRIORITY ON ADDITIONAL TICKETS – You get advance access and 10% off additional tickets to any POPS or Classical subscription concert.

Donors have more rewards!

• Donor-only events and private rehearsals • Valet parking • Access to the Green Room and Patron Lounge See page 12 for more details.

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Michael Krajewski, Principal Pops Conductor

West Side Story © 1961 Metro-­Goldwyn-­Mayer Studios Inc. All rights reserved.

West Side Story © 1961 Metro-­Goldwyn-­Mayer Studios Inc. All rights reserved. © A.M.P.A.S.

Music You Know, Music You Love

2012-2013 Pops Season

Cynthia Woods Mitchell POPS at Jones Hall

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POPS Presenting Sponsor

4 5 6 7

Sixties Hits

with The Midtown Men August 31, September 1, 2, 2012

Wicked Divas October 5, 6, 7, 2012

Bond and Beyond:

50 Years of James Bond November 23, 24, 25, 2012

Very Merry Pops

with Brian Stokes Mitchell December 14, 15, 16, 2012

What a Wonderful World: The Best of Louis Armstrong January 18, 19, 20, 2013

Songs of Simon and Garfunkel February 22, 23, 24, 2013

West Side Story

Film with Live Orchestra March 22, 23, 24, 2013

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Cavanaugh Sings Elton John & More

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Pink Martini

April 19, 20, 21, 2013

May 24, 25, 26, 2013

The Midtown Men

1 Sixties Hits

with The Midtown Men August 31, September 1, 2, 2012 Michael Krajewski, conductor 4 stars from the Original Cast of Jersey Boys These four accomplished Broadway stars known as The Midtown Men are Tony® Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony® Award nominee J. Robert Spencer. They join Mike and the orchestra for a concert you won’t want to miss with hits from the 1960s like “Sherry, “ “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and other record breakers from phenomenal ‘60s artists.

Julia Murney

Stephanie J. Block

2 Wicked Divas October 5, 6, 7, 2012 Steven Reineke, conductor Two Wicked stars join forces to celebrate great women of the stage and screen.

Broadway divas Julia Murney and Stephanie J. Block will grace the Jones Hall stage for a performance packed with powerhouse songs from Wicked, Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera, Titanic and other popular songs from Broadway, film and Grammy®-winning artists.

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3 Bond and Beyond: 50 Years of James Bond

November 23, 24, 25, 2012 Michael Krajewski, conductor Celebrate 50 years of James Bond with the Houston Symphony.

Enjoy memorable musical moments from the longest and most successful film series ever. The orchestra will shine as they perform the theme music that made James Bond, Dick Tracy and Inspector Clouseau famous secret agents. Tony® Award-winning vocalist Debbie Gravitte joins the orchestra to sing title songs “Goldfinger,” “Diamonds Are Forever,” “The World Is Not Enough” and more.

Brian Stokes Mitchell

4 Very Merry Pops

with Brian Stokes Mitchell December 14, 15, 16, 2012 Michael Krajewski, conductor Houston Symphony Chorus Charles Hausmann, director One of Houston’s beloved holiday musical traditions, this year’s Very Merry Pops concert features Tony® Award-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell. A veteran of theatre, television, movies and concert halls, Brian Stokes Mitchell’s appearance heralds the release of an exciting new holiday recording with your very own Houston Symphony.

Byron Stripling

5 What a Wonderful World: The Best of Louis Armstrong

January 18, 19, 20, 2013 Michael Krajewski, conductor Hear renowned trumpeter and singer Byron Stripling perform your favorites.

Enjoy the sounds of Satchmo with an evening dedicated to the great Louis Armstrong. Trumpeter and singer Byron Stripling will join Mike and the orchestra for classics such as “St. Louis Blues,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.”

AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle

6 Songs of Simon and Garfunkel February 22, 23, 24, 2013 Michael Krajewski, conductor AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle have been performing a remarkable tribute to the iconic duo Simon and Garfunkel to sold-out audiences for over a decade. Now hear them perform “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Mrs. Robinson” with your Houston Symphony.

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7 West Side Story

West Side Story © 1961 Metro-­Goldwyn-­Mayer Studios Inc. All rights reserved. © A.M.P.A.S.

Film with Live Orchestra

March 22, 23, 24, 2013 Steven Reineke, conductor Join us as the Houston Symphony performs Leonard Bernstein’s complete, electrifying score live while the remastered film is shown in hi-definition on the big screen with the original vocals and dialogue intact. Winner of 10 Academy Awards®, the film, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, features Robbins’ choreography, screenplay by Ernest Lehman, book by Arthur Laurents and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

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Michael Cavanaugh Photo credit: Adrian Mendoza

8 Cavanaugh Sings Elton John & More April 19, 20, 21, 2013 Robert Franz, conductor Michael Cavanaugh returns to Houston.

Back by popular demand, pianist and singer Michael Cavanaugh of Broadway fame performs songs from Elton John and other classic hits from bands such as Journey, Chicago, the Eagles and Styx.

Pink Martini Photo credit: Autumn de Wilde

9 Pink Martini May 24, 25, 26, 2013 Michael Krajewski, conductor Mike closes the season with a much-anticipated visit from Pink Martini. The group returns to Jones Hall with popular favorites like “Brazil,” “Amado Mio” and “Hey, Eugene” while injecting new songs bound to become mainstays of their eclectic repertoire.

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We Like Mike!

Recently we were excited to announce the extension of Mike’s tenure through the 2016–2017 Season.

We are looking forward to sharing Mike’s creativity and charisma with you for five more seasons!

“We are ecstatic that Mike will be with us for another five seasons. He has a very special place in the hearts of everyone, both inside and outside the Symphony family, for his musical skill, his professionalism and his humorous ability to connect with his audiences.”

–Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director and CEO “I’m thrilled to continue this wonderful relationship with the Houston Symphony and Houston Symphony audiences. It is a great privilege and extreme pleasure to be a part of this dynamic organization.”

–Michael Krajewski, Principal Pops Conductor Mike will be conducting 6 concert weekends this season to the delight of Houston audiences and the orchestra. Get all 6 in the I Like Mike package, or get all 9 concerts in the full POPS package, and don’t miss a minute of the fun.

Visit houstonsymphony.org/subscriptions for more details.

2012-2013 Symphony Specials

Only subscribers have priority access to purchase these specials before they go on sale to the general public on August 1, 2012.

Opening Night with Bolero Orchestral Showcase

September 8, 2012, 7:30 pm Hans Graf, conductor Thomas LeGrand, clarinet John Thorne, flute Judy Dines, flute Alexandra Adkins, violin Sophia Silivos, violin

Opening Night Sponsor

Smetana: The Moldau Debussy: Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestra Smetana: Dance of the Comedians Doppler: Finale from Concerto for Two Flutes and Orchestra Moszkowski: Finale from Suite for Two Violins Ravel: Bolero “It fills my heart with pride, joy and gratitude to be part of this great Houston Symphony family with all its excellent and dedicated members who make the music.”

– Hans Graf, Music Director Make this evening a black-tie experience by attending the Opening Night Gala! Please note: A Gala Ticket (starting at $625) includes your concert ticket to the Opening Night performance in priority seating, a pre-concert champagne reception, post-concert dinner and dancing, and a tax-deductible contribution to support the Houston Symphony.

Call (713) 238-1485 to make your reservation.

The Chieftains

The Chieftains: 50th Anniversary Tour February 15, 2013, 7:30 pm Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains triumphantly return to Jones Hall. They will be joined by the famous dancing Pilatzke Brothers as they perform “The Galician Overture,” the hilarious send-up “Planxty Mozart,” the title song from their most celebrated album, “Long Journey Home” and more.

Disney in Concert

Magical Music from the Movies March 30, 2013, 7:30 pm Robert Franz, conductor Every new generation has a favorite Disney movie, whether it’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, Aladdin or The Lion King. Be enchanted by the music and stunning visuals of these Disney masterpieces and more. Robert Franz and the orchestra will be joined by four leading vocalists who will perform the songs of your favorite princes and princesses.

A Graf Farewell

Handel’s Messiah December 21, 22, 23, 2012 Matthew Halls, conductor Houston Symphony Chorus Charles Hausmann, director Handel: Messiah Behold the power of the music and words of Handel’s masterpiece. This Houston Symphony tradition will get you and your family in the true spirit of Christmas. Hear beloved solos and choruses, from “Rejoice Greatly” to the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

May 17, 18, 2013, 7:30 pm Erin Wall, soprano Bernarda Fink, mezzo-soprano Houston Symphony Chorus Charles Hausmann, director Mahler: Symphony No. 2, Resurrection “Of all of Mahler’s symphonies, Resurrection has the most uplifting ending. There is a spiritual element in it that is hard to beat. Mahler’s idea to have the chorus emerge from the depths is spellbinding, like souls waiting to arise from the abyss to the heavens, following an irresistible crescendo to their apotheosis – a glorious and positive way to finish.” – Hans Graf

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You Give, They Benefit

Support the Houston Symphony’s Annual Fund The Houston Symphony, founded in 1913, is the city’s largest and most established performing arts organization with an annual operating budget of $25 million. Last season, with your support, the orchestra presented a broad range of concerts, recitals, education and community concerts and events which reached more than 290,000 people. These included: • 123 concerts at Jones Hall • 9 concerts at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion • 6 free summer concerts at Miller Outdoor Theatre • 106 Community Connections concerts and recitals • 149 education and community concerts and events – our Student Concert Series serves more than 200 schools from 21 local school districts Support of the Annual Fund helps make this possible. Please consider making a contribution with your subscription purchase.

Even more importantly, a contribution towards this year’s annual fund will help the Symphony qualify for a second $1 million challenge grant from the Houston Endowment which the Symphony will receive should we have 5,000 donors and $9 million in commitments to the annual fund by May 31, 2012. Your support will help make this possible.

To learn more visit houstonsymphony/annualfund or call Jessica Ford, Gifts Officer at (713) 238-1488.

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Thank you to our institutional partners.

The Houston Symphony salutes our corporate, foundation and government partners whose generosity allows the orchestra to reach new heights in music, education and community engagement for the Greater Houston area and Gulf Coast region.

For further information on becoming a corporate or foundation donor to the Houston Symphony please call Brandon VanWaeyenberghe at (713) 337-8520 or Peter Yenne at (713) 337-8522. $100,000 or more

$50,000 or more

$25,000 or more

Foundations $1,000,000 & above Houston Endowment, Inc. Houston Symphony League The Wortham Foundation, Inc. $100,000–$499,999 The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation The Brown Foundation, Inc. The Cullen Foundation The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation M. D. Anderson Foundation Spec’s Charitable Foundation

$50,000–$99,999 Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation The Alkek and Williams Foundation John P. McGovern Foundation Ray C. Fish Foundation $25,000–$49,999 Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation The Humphreys Foundation Sterling-Turner Foundation

Many thanks to these generous government partners.

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Order Season Tickets

 Subscribers get the best seats before the general public.  Subscribers save up to 40% off individual ticket prices!

Pops Seating Chart

9-Concert Pops Series FRI 8 pm/ SUN 7:30 pm

SAT 8 pm

$972 819 576 432 342 135

$1,017 864 621 459 333 135

Premium Price Level 2 Price Level 3 Price Level 4 Price Level 5 Price Level 6

GRAND TIER

BOXES

ORCHESTRA

BOXES

STAGE

The summer home of the Houston Symphony.

For more information, visit pavilion.woodlandscenter.org

Premium Price Level 2 Price Level 3

Price Level 4 Price Level 5 Price Level 6

Form a group and save! Some things are just too good to keep to yourself.

Groups of 10 or more enjoy special discounts. Call (713) 238-1435 or email groupsales@houstonsymphony.org.

Ordering Is Easy!

1 Order Via Phone Call the Patron Services Center at (713) 224-7575, Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm.

2 Subscribe Online Visit houstonsymphony.org to order via our secure online subscription process.

3 Order In Person Houston Symphony Patron Services Center at Jones Hall (615 Louisiana Street, Suite 102, Houston, 77002) Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm.

4 Order Via Fax or Mail Fax: (713) 247-0220 Mail: Houston Symphony Patron Services Center, 615 Louisiana Street, Suite 102 Houston, TX 77002 Artists and programs subect to change.

Photos by Michael Tammaro.

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Your Symphony Concert Experience

Get the complete Houston Symphony experience and customize it to your preferences! Learn as much as you want about the music in advance of the concert. Whatever your preference, we help you connect to an ultimate experience of music.

Connect to the Music in Advance  Visit houstonsymphony.org for music clips, videos, and program notes or download the FREE iPhone & Android App to do it all on the go!  Our SymphonE-Minders act as a helpful email reminder about your concert, send program notes directly to your inbox, and offer other helpful information.

Park with Ease Enjoy the convenience of prepaid parking.

To purchase vouchers in advance, call (713) 224-7575.

Dine in Style Dine at one of the many restaurants that surround Jones Hall, including Perbacco, Sambuca, Birraporetti’s, Bistro Lancaster and more. You can also dine in the convenient inlobby Encore Café.

houstonsymphony.org (713) 224-7575

Join us for the 2012–2013 POPS Season Get 9 concerts for as little as $135!