Photo by Anthony Rathbun
LETTER TO PATRONS
Photo by bruce bennett
Robert A. Peiser President
Mark C. Hanson Executive Director/CEO
www.houstonsymphony.org
We look forward to seeing you this month as we celebrate Hans Graf in his final concerts as our 15th Music Director. We couldn’t be more proud of Hans’ achievements. Please turn to pages 8 and 9 for more on his record-setting 12-year tenure with the Houston Symphony. One of Hans’ legacies is his annual fete, the Maestro’s Wine Dinner & Collectors’ Auction, which will be held on Sunday, May 19. Chairmen Judy and Rodney Margolis and Mary Lynn and Steve Marks have personal friendships with Hans and his wife, Rita, and they have prepared a memory-making celebration featuring fine wines and a multi-course dinner on the Jones Hall stage. Special guests will include previous executive directors Ann Kennedy and Matthew VanBesien who worked with Hans over the years. Please join us to raise a glass to our outgoing maestro! Space is limited, so contact us immediately for more information on tickets and tables: specialevents@houstonsymphony.org or (713) 238-1485. Our Centennial year will kick off on June 1 with the Finals Concert of the 38th annual Ima Hogg Competition. Through the generous donation of Symphony patrons, John and Tracy Dennis, and in honor of John’s grandmother, the Grace Woodson Memorial Award has been increased from $5,000 to $25,000, in addition to an increase in the entire prize pool from $9,300 to $42,000. Another perk for 2013, is that the event can now be considered a no-risk competition for the contestants with air travel generously donated by United Airlines and lodging and meals provided by Symphony volunteers. You can read about this competition on page 15. Tickets for the exciting finale concert with our full orchestra can be purchased online via houstonsymphony.org. Fan favorite Pink Martini returns to Houston for the final Pops program of the season on May 24, 25 and 26. This year, the band will be joined by Ari Shapiro of NPR fame as a guest vocalist. Shapiro has appeared on recordings with Pink Martini, and we are delighted to welcome all to Houston. Have you heard? Make a gift today and the Houston Symphony gets an additional $50! A consortium of our board members will give the Symphony a bonus gift of $50 for every donation of $25 or more received by May 31. Read all about this opportunity on page 13. Please consider making this important season-ending gift by visiting the Annual Fund booth in the lobby, by going to our website www.houstonsymphony.org/annualfund or by contacting Darryl de Mello, Annual Fund Manager, at (713) 337-8529.