InTUNE
July 3 & 4,
Miller Outdoor Theatre & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion: Star-Spangled Salute
The Houston Symphony Magazine
ORCHESTRA ROSTER
Juraj Valčuha
Music Director
Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair
FIRST VIOLIN
Yoonshin Song, Concertmaster
Max Levine Chair
Vacant, Associate Concertmaster
Ellen E. Kelley Chair
Boson Mo, Assistant Concertmaster
Qi Ming, Assistant Concertmaster
Fondren Foundation Chair
Marina Brubaker
Tong Yan
MiHee Chung
Sophia Silivos
Rodica Gonzalez
Ferenc Illenyi
Si-Yang Lao
Kurt Johnson*
Christopher Neal
Sergei Galperin
Timothy Peters+
Tianxu Liu+
SECOND VIOLIN
Vacant, Principal
Vacant, Associate Principal
Amy Semes
Annie Kuan-Yu Chen
Mihaela Frusina
Jing Zheng
Tianjie Lu
Anastasia Iglesias
Tina Zhang*
Yankı Karataş
Hannah Duncan
Alexandros Sakarellos
Samuel Park+
Teresa Wang+
VIOLA
Joan DerHovsepian, Principal
Wei Jiang, Acting Associate Principal
Samuel Pedersen, Assistant Principal
Paul Aguilar
Sheldon Person
Fay Shapiro
Keoni Bolding
Jimmy Cunningham
Yvonne Smith+
CELLO
Brinton Averil Smith, Principal
Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow Chair
Christopher French, Associate Principal
Jane and Robert Cizik Chair
Anthony Kitai
Louis-Marie Fardet
Jeffrey Butler
Maki Kubota
COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED MUSICIAN
Lindsey Baggett, Violin
ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS
Ali Verderber
Hae-a Lee
Steven Reineke, Principal POPS Conductor
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Conductor Laureate
Gonzalo Farias, Associate Conductor
Xiao Wong
Charles Seo
Jeremy Kreutz
DOUBLE BASS
Robin Kesselman, Principal
Timothy Dilenschneider, Associate Principal
Andrew Pedersen, Assistant Principal
Eric Larson
Burke Shaw
Donald Howey
Avery Weeks
Michael Zogaib+
FLUTE
Aralee Dorough, Principal
General Maurice Hirsch Chair
Matthew Roitstein,
Associate Principal
Judy Dines
Kathryn Ladner
PICCOLO
Kathryn Ladner
OBOE
Jonathan Fischer, Principal
Lucy Binyon Stude Chair
Anne Leek, Associate Principal
Colin Gatwood
Adam Dinitz
ENGLISH HORN
Adam Dinitz
Barbara and Pat McCelvey Chair
CLARINET
Mark Nuccio, Principal
Bobbie Nau Chair
Vacant, Associate Principal
Christian Schubert
Alexander Potiomkin
Ben Freimuth+
E-FLAT CLARINET
Vacant
Ben Freimuth+
BASS CLARINET
Alexander Potiomkin
BASSOON
Rian Craypo, Principal
Isaac Schultz, Associate Principal
Elise Wagner
Adam Trussell
STAGE PERSONNEL
Stefan Stout, Stage Manager
José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager
Nicholas DiFonzo, Head Video Engineer
Justin Herriford, Head Audio Engineer
Connor Morrow, Head Stage Technician
Giancarlo Minotti, Audio Production Manager
CONTRABASSOON
Adam Trussell
HORN
William VerMeulen, Principal
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander K. McLanahan
Endowed Chair
Robert Johnson, Associate Principal
Nathan Cloeter, Assistant Principal/Utility
Brian Thomas*
Brian Mangrum
Ian Mayton
Barbara J. Burger Chair
Spencer Bay+
TRUMPET
Mark Hughes, Principal
George P. and Cynthia Woods
Mitchell Chair
John Parker, Associate Principal
Robert Walp, Assistant Principal
Richard Harris
TROMBONE
Nick Platoff, Principal
Bradley White, Associate Principal
Phillip Freeman
BASS TROMBONE
Phillip Freeman
TUBA
Dave Kirk, Principal
TIMPANI
Leonardo Soto, Principal
Matthew Strauss, Associate Principal
PERCUSSION
Brian Del Signore, Principal
Mark Griffith
Matthew Strauss
HARP
Allegra Lilly, Principal
KEYBOARD
Vacant, Principal
LIBRARIAN
Luke Bryson, Principal
*on leave + contracted substitute
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
LEADERSHIP GROUP
Gary Ginstling, Executive Director/CEO Margaret Alkek Williams Chair
Elizabeth S. Condic, Chief Financial Officer
Timothy Dillow, Interim Co-Chief Development Officer
Amanda T. Dinitz, Interim Co-Chief Development Officer
Vicky Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer
Alex Soares, Chief Marketing Officer
DEVELOPMENT
Sarah Bhalla, Development Officer
Lauren Buchanan, Development Communications Manager
Alex Canales, Senior Development Ticket Concierge
Jessie De Arman, Development Associate, Gifts and Records
Vivian Gonzalez, Development Officer
Kamra Kilmer, Development Gift Officer
Karyn Mason, Development Officer
Hadia Mawlawi, Senior Associate, Endowment and Planned Giving
Meghan Miller, Special Events Associate
Mayenne Minuit, Development Associate, Administration
Emilie Moellmer, Annual Fund Manager
Megan Mottu, Development Officer
Tim Richey, Director, Individual Giving
Sherry Rodriguez, Corporate Relations Manager & Board Liaison
Katie Salvatore, Major Gifts Officer
Lena Streetman, Manager, Research and Development Operations
Stacey Swift, Director, Special Events
Sarah Thompson, Donor Stewardship Manager
Christina Trunzo, Director, Foundation Relations
Alexa Ustaszewski, Major Gifts Officer
EDUCATION | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Olivia Allred, Education Manager
Allison Conlan, Senior Director, Education and Community Engagement
Austin Hinkle, Education and Community Engagement Coordinator
Cedric Mayfield, Project Manager, Evaluation
Jazmine Olwalia, Community Engagement Associate
Sheridan Richard, DeLUXE K!ds In Harmony Site Manager
Community-Embedded Musicians (CEM):
Lindsey Baggett, Lead CEM
Lucinda Chiu, CEM Teaching Artist
David Connor, CEM Teaching Artist
Stephen Hudson, CEM Education Specialist
Rainel Joubert, CEM Teaching Artist
Bianca Lozano, CEM Teaching Artist
Alexis Mitrushi, CEM Teaching Artist
FINANCE | ADMINISTRATION | IT | HR
José Arriaga, Systems Engineer
Henry Cantu, Finance Accountant
Kimberly Cegielski, Staff Accountant
Heather Fails, Database Administrator
Joel James, Director of Human Resources
Tanya Lovetro, Director of Budgeting and Financial Reporting
Freddie Piegsa, Help Desk Technician
Morgana Rickard, Controller
Gabriela Rivera, Senior Accountant
Pam Romo, Office Manager/HR Coordinator
Lee Whatley, Senior Director, IT and Analytics
MARKETING | COMMUNICATIONS
Bryan Ayllon, Web Coordinator
Mark Bailes, Marketing Revenue Manager
Rachel Cheng, Marketing and External Relations Assistant
Bella Cutaia, Patron Services Senior Representative
Ruben Gandara, Patron Services Representative
Kathryn Judd, Director, Marketing
Priya Kurup, Senior Associate, Group Sales
Caroline Lawson, Patron Services Representative
Lien Le, Patron Experience Coordinator
Yoo-Ell Lee, Graphics and Media Designer
Ciara Macaulay, Creative Director
Ashley Martinez, Patron Services Coordinator
Mariah Martinez, Email Marketing Coordinator
Casey Pearce, Graphic Design Manager
Aracely Quevedo, Patron Services Representative
Eric Skelly, Senior Director, Communications
Christian Sosa, Web Experience Director
Jonathan Townsend, Patron Services Representative
Jenny Zuniga, Director, Patron Services
OPERATIONS | ARTISTIC
Stephanie Alla, Associate Director of Artistic Planning
Becky Brown, Associate Director, Orchestra Personnel
Michael Gorman, Director, Orchestra Personnel
Julia Hall, Interim Director, Chorus
Adrian Hernandez, Concert Media Production Manager
Hazel Landers, Chorus Library Intern
Hae-a Lee, Assistant Librarian
Giancarlo Minotti, Audio Production Manager
Elena Reid, Artistic Intern
José Rios, Assistant Stage Manager
Brad Sayles, Senior Recording Engineer
Claudia Schmitz, Artistic Coordinator and Assistant to the Music Director
Stefan Stout, Stage Manager
Nathan Trinkl, Artistic Assistant
Ali Verderber, Assistant Librarian
Meredith Williams, Director of Concert Operations
Rebecca Zabinski, Senior Director, Artistic Planning
VALČUHA CONDUCTS WEST SIDE STORY
Sept. 12
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Houston Symphony Music Director Juraj Valčuha makes his first ever appearance at Miller Outdoor Theatre!
Presenting Sponsor
THE MUSIC OF JOURNEY
July 26
Hobby Center
PERFORMANCE CALENDAR
2025-26 se a son
O p e n ing We e ken d : Val č uh a
C on du c t s St r av ins k y ’s Fi r eb i r d
S ept emb er 1 9, 20* & 2 1
Eschenbach Conducts
Mozart & Bruckner
S ept emb er 2 7 & 28*
K ing fo r a D ay : T h e M us i c of El v is
O c t o b er 3 , 4* & 5
Jea n -Yves T h ib au d et +
T he T h r ee - C o rne r e d H at
O c t o b er 1 0, 11* & 12
G e r s hw in & G rim au d :
Ja z z M e et s Symp ho ny
O c t o b er 17, 18* & 19
Fr o m St a g e t o S c r e e n :
B r oad way Me et s H o ll y woo d
O c t o b er 3 1 , N ovemb er 1* & 2
Frig ht f ull y Fun! A H a ll owe e n
C o n c e r t fo r K i ds
N ovemb er 1
Shall We Dance?
&
,
Th a nk sg i v ing We e ken d : Tcha ikovs k y ’s Pi an o
S Vo c t ave: It Feels Like C h r i s t m a s
D ec e m b e r 8
Ve r y M e rr y Po ps
*Per form a n c e live s t r ea m e d S N o s f e r a t u: S i le n t Fil m w i t h L i ve O r g a n N ove m b e r 1 6
D ec emb er 11 , 13* & 14
O h , W h at Fun! A H o li d ay
C o n c e r t fo r K i ds D ec emb er 13
Mariachi Sol De Mexico de José Hernández presents: José Hernández’ Merry-Achi Christmas Dec emb er 15
S S Elf in C on c e r t D ec emb er 1 9, 20 & 2 1
A N at K ing C o l e N ew Ye a r
J a nu a r y 2 , 3* & 4
See our full year calendar for even more concerts!
SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Barbara J. Burger
President
John Rydman Chair
Barbara McCelvey President-Elect
Mike S. Stude Chair Emeritus
Paul Morico General Counsel
Jonathan Ayre Secretary
Jonathan Ayre Chair, Finance
Brad W. Corson Chair, Governance & Leadership
Carey Kirkpatrick Chair, Marketing & Communications
Evan B. Glick Chair, Popular Programming
Barbara McCelvey Chair, Development
Sippi Khurana, M.D. Chair, Education & Community Engagement
GOVERNING DIRECTORS
Jonathan Ayre
Gary Beauchamp
Eric Brueggeman
Bill Bullock
Barbara J. Burger
Mary Kathryn Campion, Ph.D.
John Cassidy, M.D.
Janet F. Clark
Brad W. Corson
Lidiya Gold
Claudio Gutiérrez
Rick Jaramillo
David J. M. Key
Sippi Khurana, M.D.
Mary Lynn Marks Chair, Volunteers & Special Events
Robert Orr Chair, Strategic Planning
John Rydman Chair, Artistic & Orchestra Affairs
Jesse B. Tutor Chair, Audit
Janet F. Clark^ Immediate Past Chair
Steven P. Mach^ At-Large Member
Bobby Tudor^ At-Large Member
Leslie Nossaman^ President, Houston Symphony League
James H. Lee^ President, Houston Symphony Endowment
Juraj Valčuha^ Music Director Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair
Joan DerHovsepian^ Musician Representative
Mark Hughes^ Musician Representative
Gary Ginstling^ Executive Director/CEO
Margaret Alkek Williams Chair
As of June 1, 2025
Carey Kirkpatrick
Cindy Levit
Isabel Stude Lummis
Cora Sue Mach **
Rodney Margolis**
Mary Lynn Marks
Elissa Martin
Barbara McCelvey
Paul R. Morico
Leslie Nossaman
Robert Orr
Chris Powers
John Rydman**
Brittany Sakowitz
Ed Schneider
Justin Stenberg
William J. Toomey II
Bobby Tudor **
Betty Tutor **
Jesse B. Tutor **
Gretchen Watkins
Robert Weiner
Margaret Alkek Williams **
Wei Jiang^ Musician Representative
Mark Nuccio^ Musician Representative
Sherry Rodriguez^ Assistant Secretary ^Ex-Officio
EX-OFFICIO
Joan DerHovsepian
Gary Ginstling
Evan B. Glick
Mark Hughes
Wei Jiang
James H. Lee
Steven P. Mach
Mark Nuccio
Sherry Rodriguez
Juraj Valčuha
TRUSTEES
Christopher Armstrong
David J. Beck
Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl
Nancy Shelton Bratic
Terry Ann Brown**
Ralph Burch
John T. Cater**
Robert Chanon
Heaven Chee
Michael H. Clark
Virginia Clark
Aoife Cunningham
Andrew Davis, Ph.D.
Denise Davis
Tracy Dieterich
Joan Duff
Connie Dyer
Kelli Cohen Fein
Jeffrey B. Firestone
Lindsay Buchanan Fisher
Eugene A. Fong
Aggie L. Foster
Julia Anderson Frankel
Carolyn Gaidos
Evan B. Glick
Andrew Gould
Lori Harrington
Jeff Hiller
Grace Ho
Gary L. Hollingsworth
John W. Hutchinson
Brian James
Dawn James
Matthew Kades
I. Ray Kirk, M.D.
David Krieger
Matthew Loden
Steven P. Mach
Michael Mann, M.D.
Nancy Martin
Jack Matzer
Jackie Wolens Mazow
Aprill Nelson
Tim Ong
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.
FOUNDATION FOR JONES HALL REPRESENTATIVES
Janet F. Clark
Edward Osterberg Jr.
Gloria G. Pryzant
Miwa Sakashita
Ted Sarosdy
Andrew Schwaitzberg
Helen Shaffer**
Becky Shaw
Robert B. Sloan, D.D., Theol.
Jim R. Smith
Miles O. Smith**
Quentin Smith
Tad Smith
Anthony Speier
Tina Raham Stewart
Mike S. Stude**
Nanako Tingleaf
Margaret Waisman, M.D.
Fredric A. Weber
Vicki West
Steven J. Williams
David J. Wuthrich
Ellen A. Yarrell
Robert M. Hermance
Gene McDavid
Janice H. Barrow
Barry C. Burkholder
Rodney H. Margolis
Jeffrey B. Early
Michael E. Shannon
Ed Wulfe
Mrs. J. Stephen Marks
Terry Ann Brown
Nancy Strohmer
Mary Ann McKeithan
Ann Cavanaugh
Mrs. James A. Shaffer
Lucy H. Lewis
Catherine McNamara
Shirley McGregor Pearson
Paula Jarrett
Cora Sue Mach
Kathi Rovere
Norma Jean Brown
Barbara McCelvey
Lori Sorcic Jansen
Nancy B. Willerson
Robert Yekovich
EX-OFFICIO
Alejandro Gallardo
Reverend Ray Mackey, III
Frank F. Wilson IV
**Lifetime Trustee
*Deceased
Barbara McCelvey Fredric Weber
Jesse B. Tutor
Robert B. Tudor III
Robert A. Peiser
Steven P. Mach
Janet F. Clark
John Rydman
Jane Clark
Nancy Littlejohn
Donna Shen
Dr. Susan Snider Osterberg
Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein
Vicki West
Mrs. Jesse Tutor
Darlene Clark
Beth Wolff
Maureen Higdon
Fran Fawcett Peterson
Leslie Siller
Cheryl Byington
Mary Fusillo
Heidi Rockecharlie
Featured Program
MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE & Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion:
Star-spangled salute
Steven Reineke, conductor
*Christina Wells, vocalist
0:02 SMITH/ORMANDY – “ The Star-Spangled Banner ”
0:03 COPLAND – Fanfare for the Common Man
0:05 GOULD – American Salute
0:04 WEATHERLY/S. SHOUP – “Midnight Train to Georgia”
0:03 WARREN/E. ALLEN – “At Last”
0:04 J. WILLIAMS – Liberty Fanfare
0:03 SOUSA/C. McALISTER – The Liberty Bell March
0:02 GERSHWIN/J. KESSLER – “Strike Up the Band” from Strike Up the Band
0:02 KING-GOFFIN-WEXLER/S. SHOUP – “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
0:05 Arr. D. McKENZIE – “Proud Mary/River Deep, Mountain High”
0:05 Arr. J. KESSLER – Armed Forces Medley
1. Semper Paratus (Coast Guard)
2. Space Force
3. The U.S. Air Force
4. Anchors Aweigh (Navy)
5. Marines’ Hymn
6. The Caisson Song (Army)
0:03 WARD/P. ROTHMAN – “America the Beautiful”
0:12 TCHAIKOVSKY – 1812 Overture, Opus 49
*Houston Symphony debut
Thursday, July 3
Friday, July 4
About the Music Program Bios
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board Guarantor
The Houston Symphony’s Miller Outdoor Theatre concerts are endowed by The Brown Foundation, Inc. in memory of Stewart and Hanni Orton
The Houston Symphony’s sound shell ceiling is made possible through the generosity of the Beauchamp Foundation and the Fondren Foundation
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 8 p.m.
Miller Outdoor Theatre
8:30 p.m.
Steven Reineke, conductor
Principal POPS Conductor
Steven Reineke is one of North America’s leading conductors of popular music. He 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 the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
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, Reineke creates and collaborates with a range of leading artists from the worlds of 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, among 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 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 Performances. Reineke is the creator of hundreds of orchestral arrangements and his 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
Program Bios
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, 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.
Christina Wells, vocalist
Christina Wells is a nurse, singer, actress, and motivational speaker from Houston, Texas. After years of caring for others as a Registered Nurse, and single mother to her two incredible sons, Christina embarked upon a journey of selfdiscovery that would lead her to national recognition. While in her 40s, she shifted focus toward her passion for singing and performance and found herself auditioning for America’s Got Talent. She not only landed a spot in the competition but was a semifinalist earning praise from
the infamous Simon Cowell while winning over the hearts of America. In addition to her musical talent, she discovered that her message of self-love, confidence, and positivity would inspire millions. She encourages everyone to pursue their own dreams and learn to accept themselves just as they are. News publications such as USA Today, Forbes, The Houston Chronicle, Billboard Magazine, The Washington Post, NPR, Outsmart Magazine, and more have featured her as a performer with a message of positivity, love, and hope who also has a powerhouse voice that will blow the roof off of any stage.
Since her time on America’s Got Talent, Christina has appeared in professional productions such as Ursula in The Little Mermaid (Theatre Under the Stars/TUTS), Sour Kangaroo in Seussical (TUTS), Medda Larkin in Newsies! (TUTS), Charilee in Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular (Stages), Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act the Musical (Art Park Players), and Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray (Art Park Players). Christina also spent 2022 and 2023 touring the country as Matron “Mama” Morton in the Broadway National tour of Chicago the Musical.
Christina has sung the National Anthem for the MLB, NFL, and NBA. She has also released two original singles, “Ready or Not” and “Somebody,” available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, and YouTube Music. Each song bears her message of confidence and self-love.
From her time inspiring others as a Semi-Finalist on America’s Got Talent to her appearances at
schools, women’s conferences, and benefits across the nation, Christina uplifts her audience with her own unique brand of motivational entertainment. Visit christinawells.com for more information.
Juraj Valčuha, Music Director