EducaTIon and Community Engagement Programs
Side-by-Side Performance Connects Students with Symphony Musicians At this year’s Spec’s Charitable Foundation Salute to Educators concert on April 24, 83 students from the Houston Youth Symphony performed side-by-side with 63 members of the Houston Symphony. This annual experience puts students in the shoes of professional musicians, giving them first-hand insight into orchestral protocol, expectations and preparations. The students are guided in this experience by Symphony stand partners. Not only do the professionals provide technical coaching to the students to prepare them for the performance, they also act as informal mentors and valuable role-models. Many of the young musicians are students of our musicians; for others, this was a unique opportunity to connect with members of our world-class orchestra. Prior to the performance, Houston Symphony Associate Conductor Robert Franz worked with the students to musically shape
the orchestral masterwork and to motivate the students. Before rehearsing with Franz, 14 Symphony musicians worked in sectionals with the students to coach them and to set their expectations, introducing the students to the high performance standards that distinguish our Symphony. The audience of this year’s Salute to Educators concert was treated to an inspiring performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. Each year, a different masterwork is featured, and the youth ensembles rotate on a three-year schedule. Next year, members of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Orchestra will work side-by-side with Houston Symphony musicians. The following year, members of Virtuosi of Houston will enjoy the opportunity.
Marin Osawa Fort Bend ISD Stand partner: Kurt Johnson, violin “Playing next to such an accomplished musician felt really intimidating at first, but all-in-all it made playing the music all the more fun and educational, and I think this experience helped me grow as a musician.”
Adam Sadberry Montgomery ISD Stand partner: Aralee Dorough, flute “Performing with such an amazing group of musicians has been humbling and inspiring. This experience has not only made me understand what it truly means to be a good orchestra member, but also what it means to be a musician.”
Vincent Gonzales Pasadena ISD Stand partner: Chris Neal, violin “I would have never thought that I would one day play in Jones Hall! I had to prepare the music thoroughly so that I didn’t embarrass myself in front of my stand partner!”
The annual Spec’s Charitable Foundation Salute to Educators Concert honors dedicated men and women who work in the greater Houston-area schools. This year’s Spec’s Charitable Foundation Award for Excellence in Music Education was presented to Matthew Porter, Director of Orchestras at the O. D. Tompkins High School, in Katy ISD. Also at the concert, The Jacob L. and Sophia Meyer Farb School Bell Award, generously sponsored by the Farb Family Endowment Fund, was presented to Carole Nelson, Artistic Director of the Houston Boychoir. 30
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