Houston Summer Concerts - 2017 Schedule

Season Schedule | Perspective Series | Young Artists Series | Master Class Schedule

Texas Music Festival Orchestra Series

Bringing Classical music's rising stars to Houston for over 25 years.

Renowned conductors lead the Orchestra Fellows in exciting performances of the cornerstones of the orchestral repertoire. Please note that programs and artists are subject to change.

"Celebratory Opening"

Saturday, June 10, 2017, Moores School of Music, University of Houston
Moores Opera House policy prohibits children 5 years of age and younger at performances

6:30 - 7:20 p.m., Moores Opera House Lobby
Pre-concert entertainment

6:30 - 7:10 p.m., MSM Room 108
Settling the Score: Pre-concert lecture

7:30 p.m., Moores Opera House
Festival Orchestra Concert

GUEST ARTISTS

• Franz Anton Krager

  conductor

  American born and trained conductor, Franz Anton Krager, has made his artistic presence felt both at home and abroad with performance engagements in some of the world's most celebrated concert halls and musical centers. Learn more

• Cynthia Clayton

  soprano

  American soprano Cynthia Clayton is an audience favorite in opera houses throughout the United States and overseas for her critically acclaimed performances of roles including Puccini heroines Tosca, Manon Lescaut, Mimi, Musetta, Liù, and Madama Butterfly, Mozart heroines Donna Anna, Donna Elvira, Pamina, Countess Almaviva, and Fiordiligi; and numerous others. Learn more

• Festival Chorus
• Jeb Mueller

  choral preparation

  Jeb Mueller is Associate Director of Choral Studies at the University of Houston Moores School of Music where he conducts ManChoir, ManCorps and Concert Women's Chorus; prepares opera choruses; and teaches choral music education courses. In addition to his teaching duties, Mueller is an active clinician, adjudicator and conference presenter throughout the United States.

"Orchestral Colors"

Saturday, June 17, 2017, Moores School of Music, University of Houston
Moores Opera House policy prohibits children 5 years of age and younger at performances

6:30 - 7:20 p.m., Moores Opera House Lobby
Pre-concert entertainment

6:30 - 7:10 p.m., MSM Room 108
Settling the Score: Pre-concert lecture

7:30 p.m., Moores Opera House
Festival Orchestra Concert

GUEST ARTISTS

• Andrés Franco

  conductor

  Currently completing highly successful first seasons as Music Director of Tulsa’s Signature Symphony at TCC, as well as Assistant Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Andrés Franco has established himself as a conductor to watch. Learn more 

• Lucie Robert

  violin

  Ms. Robert has appeared as recitalist and chamber musician throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Far East in major music centers including New York, London, Chicago, Washington D.C., Vienna, Beijing, Seoul, Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. Highly sought after as a violin pedagogue, Ms. Robert has served as violin professor for the past twenty-five years at the Manhattan School of Music and the Mannes College of Music in New York City. Learn more

"Orchestral Variations"

Friday, June 23, 2017, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 8 p.m. (June 23 performance is FREE. All ages performance.)

Saturday, June 24, 2017, Moores School of Music, University of Houston (tickets required for the June 24 performance.)
Moores Opera House policy prohibits children 5 years of age and younger at performance

6:30 - 7:20 p.m., Moores Opera House Lobby
Pre-concert entertainment

6:30 - 7:10 p.m., MSM Room 108
Settling the Score: Pre-concert lecture

7:30 p.m., Moores Opera House
Festival Orchestra Concert

GUEST ARTISTS

• Brett Mitchell

  conductor

  Hailed for delivering compelling performances of innovative, eclectic programs, Brett Mitchell has been named the fourth Music Director of the Colorado Symphony, beginning in the 2017-18 season. Prior to this four-year appointment, he will serve as Music Director Designate during the 2016-17 season. Mr. Mitchell is also currently the Associate Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra. Learn more

• Matthew Lee, violin, Winner of 2017 Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist Competition

"Orchestral Dances"

Saturday, July 1, 2017, Moores School of Music, University of Houston
Moores Opera House policy prohibits children 5 years of age and younger at performances

6:30 - 7:20 p.m., Moores Opera House Lobby
Pre-concert entertainment

6:30 - 7:10 p.m., MSM Room 108
Settling the Score: Pre-concert lecture

7:30 p.m., Moores Opera House
Festival Orchestra Concert

GUEST ARTISTS

• Daniel Hege

  conductor

  Daniel Hege is widely recognized as one of America’s finest conductors, earning critical acclaim for his fresh interpretations of the standard repertoire and for his commitment to creative programming.During the 16/17 season, Mr. Hege will serve as the Principal Guest Conductor of the Binghamton (NY) Philharmonic. Learn more

Program notes by Carl Cunningham