Our daughter, Amanda, arranged for a night at Jones Hall for The Best of Broadway program featuring the Houston Symphony with conductor Steven Reineke, and the Houston Symphony Chorus (director, Betsy Cook Weber). We arrived when the house opened (7 pm) so we could spend time wandering around the lobby and have a quick drink (doors open at 7:30).
A local, middle school, jazz band was performing in the lobby. There were really quite talented and we enjoyed listening to them play. The Houston Symphony provides programs for individuals of all ages to participate in music at Jones Hall and at other venues in the community.
The Houston Symphony has 88 professional musicians and hold approximately 170 concerts annually. In addition to the classical concerts, the Symphony performs Pops concerts, family specials, symphony specials, and tours. Check out their website for details about the 2019-2010 season at www.houstonsymphony.org.
Steven Reineke is the Prinicipal Pops Conductor for the Houston Symphony and he was fantastic at this performance. His impressive credentials include: music director of the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall; principal Pops conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra at the JFK Center or the Performing Arts; and principal Pops conductor for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
The Summer Sounds programs are shown on this banner we saw in the lobby. Check out the large sculpture (bronze) by R. Lippold entitled Gemini II hanging from the 60’ ceiling.
This is the view of the symphony and chorus from our box seats. The hexagonal segments in the ceiling (there are 800 of them) can be raised/lowered to alter the acoustics of the hall.
The program featured overtures and suites from well-known Broadway shows (Gypsy, Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, and more). At intermission we made our way to our reserved table where our pre-ordered cheese plate and drinks were waiting. This is such a convenience, I do not know why more theatres do not offer it!
After the show, we all walked down to the theatre underground parking garage (also very convenient), and snapped a photo of the four of us.
After the show, we all walked down to the theatre underground parking garage (also very convenient), and snapped a photo of the four of us.
I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed this evening of music, thanks to Amanda. Just as nature feeds the soul, so does beautiful music. It was magical. If you get the opportunity, go see (and hear) the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall. It will be a memorable evening, I can assure you.
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