Houston Symphony history

STUDENT CONCERTS In 1937, the Houston Symphony began a series of special student matinee concerts coordinated with Houston Independent School District.

Soon the women volunteers began assisting at student concerts and in 1939 undertook a major fundraising project – a symphony ball.

Founded in 1946 through a collaboration between the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the Houston Independent School District, its first concert was performed on December 28, 1946.

One of the oldest education activities of the Houston Symphony League was a student competition begun in 1947.

1948 – Houston Youth Symphony undertakes a performance tour of Mexico, including a concert in Mexico City.

The orchestra embarked on its first national tour in 1950 to 17 cities as far north as Chicago.

1955 – The organization expands its mission to include ballet training in addition to the symphony orchestra and is reincorporated as the 501(c)3 nonprofit The Houston Youth Symphony and Ballet.

The orchestra’s Carnegie Hall debut was March 1965, as part of the International Festival of Visiting Orchestras.

The orchestra’s current home, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, was dedicated in October 1966.

In 1974 the League chaired the first glamorous Opening Night Gala which takes place following the first concert of each season.

In 1976 the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition was created.

They have served as docents since 1977 to enhance the concert experience of children attending school concerts.

1978 – Paul H. Kirby appointed Music Director

1984 – First international concert tour, performing in three Canadian cities.

The orchestra’s first overseas trip occurred in June 1990 with an appearance in Japan at the Singapore Festival of Arts.

In 1992 the League organized and staffed the Symphony Store in the Jones Hall lobby.

1997 – Doctor Michael Webster appointed Artistic Director and conductor of the HYS Symphony.

1998 – HYS performs at the inaugural ceremonies for Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown.

1999 – HYS performs in the Texas/Georgia Music Festival at Carnegie Hall.

2002 – HYS Symphony orchestra performs at the National Youth Orchestra Festival in Sarasota, Florida.

2004 – HYS expands with the establishment of a fourth orchestra, the Sinfonia.

2005 – HYS Melody Program (formerly known as HYS Star Program) is established to bring private music instruction to talented children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

2008 – HYS receives the first of many “Mark of Excellence Awards” from the Foundation for Music Education.

2009 – HYS launches its Chamber Music Program.

In October 2010, the orchestra journeyed to the United Kingdom to perform The Planets – An HD Odyssey to sold-out crowds in a seven-city tour.

2011 – HYS Chamber Music partners with the St Cecilia Chamber Music Society.

The Symphony has performed 16 times at the world-famous venue, with the most recent performance in May 2012 when the Houston Symphony kicked off the second annual Spring for Music Festival.

2013 – HYS celebrated its 65th anniversary with a special concert featuring the Symphony in a performance of Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy” with special guests Houston Masterworks Chorus and pianist Timothy Hester.

Andrés Orozco-Estrada began his role as the 15th music director of the Houston Symphony in September 2014

COMMUNITY-EMBEDDED MUSICIANS In 2015, the Houston Symphony began hiring Community-Embedded Musicians, the first position of its kind in the country.

Michael Krajewski celebrated his 17th and final season as POPS conductor during the 2016-17 season

In 2017, the Houston Symphony was awarded an ECHO Klassik award for the live recording of Alban Berg’s Wozzeck under the direction of former Music Director Hans Graf.