LETTER TO PATRONS
Photo by Anthony Rathbun
Our historic Centennial Season is still going strong, and March is full of special events related to our birthday. In early March, we are building on a proud history of supporting the development of young musicians by holding our first Youth Orchestra Festival. This special event on March 9th will provide an opportunity for youth ensembles to experience the thrill of performing on the Jones Hall stage and highlight the good work they are doing in Houston. For this inaugural festival, ensembles from Houston Youth Symphony and Virtuosi of Houston will perform masterworks of Saint-Saëns and Sibelius. The free Youth Orchestra Festival concert begins at 12:30 p.m. ahead of the Houston Symphony’s matinee performance of Tchaikovsky’s Serenade. For more information, please turn to page 19. Our annual Wine Dinner & Auction, typically held in May, will take place this season in March. The intimate, sophisticated dinner on the Jones Hall stage features amazing wine selections, perfectly paired with culinary delights from Jackson and Company. We are thrilled to have John and Lindy Rydman and their daughter Lisa Rydman, the family behind the successful Spec’s Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods, serving as the multi-generational chairs of the Centennial Wine Dinner & Auction. We look forward to raising a glass with fellow guests on Friday, March 7, and raising important dollars for the community activities of the Houston Symphony’s musicians and the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition. Also this month, the renowned portrait photography studio, Gittings, and Saks Fifth Avenue have teamed up to highlight Symphony stars, past and present, by uncovering archival photos as well as orchestrating new ones. Gittings’ pro bono actions will culminate in a week long exhibit, March 20 through 26, at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Galleria. We are deeply grateful to our friends for creating this wonderful homage to the people who created and sustained the Houston Symphony over the years. As we look ahead to next season, our Pops series will showcase great entertainers from stage, television and film. In fact, did you know that Jason Alexander, most famous for his role as George on TV’s Seinfeld, is an accomplished singer? He makes his Texas symphonic debut with us next September, bringing a terrific blend of song and comedy to Jones Hall for the kick-off performance in our Pops season. Be sure to turn to page 6 for more details about our 14-15 season Pops Series. As always, we are grateful for your support and look forward to seeing you in the hall!
Photo by bruce bennett
Robert A. Peiser President
Mark C. Hanson Executive Director/CEO
New Century Society for Artistic Excellence and Innovation The New Century Society for Artistic Excellence and Innovation recognizes the Houston Symphony’s most committed and loyal supporters who have pledged their leadership support over a three-year period to help secure the orchestra’s financial future. For more information or to pledge your support, please contact Mark C. Hanson, Executive Director/CEO, at (713) 238-1411 or David Chambers, Chief Development Officer, at (713) 337-8525.
Ms. Marie Taylor Bosarge Janice H. Barrow Mr. George P. Mitchell Mrs. Kitty King Powell Bobby & Phoebe Tudor Margaret Alkek Williams Lieutenant Governor & Mrs. David H. Dewhurst Mr. & Mrs. Jim R. Smith Mr. Mike Stude Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Tutor
www.houstonsymphony.org
Rochelle & Max Levit Cora Sue & Harry Mach Joella & Steven P. Mach Houston Methodist Hospital Nancy & Robert Peiser Laura & Michael Shannon Baker Botts L.L.P. Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Blackburne Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John P. Dennis III Stephen & Mariglyn Glenn The Joan & Marvin Kaplan Foundation Barbara & Pat McCelvey Mr. & Mrs. James A. Shaffer Wells Fargo