Houston Symphony Unveils a Star-Studded 100th Year

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tonight, the Houston Symphony announced its 100^th year in a festive party at Jones Hall featuring a champagne reception and live performances by a quintet of Houston Symphony brass musicians. Throughout the 2013-14 Centennial Season, the Symphony will celebrate with special concert experiences that honor Houston with spectacular guest artists, incredible special events and conductors from the Symphony’s past, present and future. The Symphony also unveiled a new brand, including a new logo and website.

“In a city that’s constantly changing and diversifying, the Symphony is poised to redefine its identity and increase its relevance for a new century of music lovers”

The season will begin with two free events for the community: a 100^th Birthday Concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre on June 21, exactly 100 years after the actual date of the first Houston Symphony concert, and a 12-hour Day of Music on July 13 that will include performances by the Houston Symphony and other cultural organizations. The celebration will continue in September when Renée Fleming headlines the Opening Night Concert and Gala. Also joining the celebratory season are distinguished guests artists including Yo-Yo Ma, John Williams, Midori, Joshua Bell, composer and conductor John Adams, former Music Directors Lawrence Foster and Christoph Eschenbach, current Music Director Hans Graf as Conductor Laureate, Andrés Orozco-Estrada as Music Director Designate, trumpeter Chris Botti, star of NBC’s Smash Megan Hilty and actress Sigourney Weaver.

“In a city that’s constantly changing and diversifying, the Symphony is poised to redefine its identity and increase its relevance for a new century of music lovers,” said Board President Robert A. Peiser.

About the Houston Symphony

During the 2013-14 Season, the Houston Symphony will be in its 100^th year as one of America’s leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. The Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas whose inaugural performance was held at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston on June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $28.7 million, the full-time ensemble of 87 professional musicians is the largest performing arts organization in Houston, presenting more than 280 concerts for 280,000 people, including 84,000 children, annually.