Houston Civic Symphony Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join Houston Civic Symphony?
The Houston Civic Symphony is always looking for people with a good level of musicianship to join. Qualified string players have a good chance to be invited to join, and while competition is greater in the brass and woodwinds, qualified players are placed on a substitutes list, and often invited to play one or more concerts in a season. Even if a position is currently filled musicians are invited to audition for the substitute list. Guest artists are also invited to audition. We offer a wonderful opportunity for musicians, professional or non-professional to play great symphonic music together. Please look on the Home page, or under the auditions tab for additional information.
Who are the current members?
Houston Civic Symphony has a diverse membership. Attorneys, bankers, University professors, college students, information systems professionals, petroleum engineers, judges, children's nannies, homemakers, medical technicians and music educators all come together as Houston Civic Symphony.
Having trouble finding something for your age group?
We have several members who have played with Houston Civic Symphony since its founding in 1967, many who were not born in 1967, and a whole bunch in between.
What kind of music is played?
We play all types of orchestral music from Baroque to Modern, the standard works to the "lesser known" ones. At the first 2007 concert, we played some show and movie tunes; at the second concert, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. During the 2008-09 season, we again started the season with lighter fare, including "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera, and the Overture from William Tell, and concluded the season with Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven. You can always count on a good variety. In the past few years, the Orchestra backed Mariachi Vargas, one of the best known mariachi groups in Mexico, at a concert with 6,000 screaming fans, and selected members were on stage for the Selena tribute held at Reliant Stadium, with an audience of more than 70,000 on hand, and millions more watching the world-wide telecast.
Worried about fitting another commitment into your busy schedule?
We rehearse on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm. After our December concert, we are on holiday until the New Year. The season runs from September to May and during that time we typically play five or more concerts.
Want an interest/hobby that can involve the whole family?
For the 2010-11 season, concerts will be held on Fridays at 8 p.m. or Sundays at 2:30, and are FREE ... so bring the family and let everybody from Granny to Junior enjoy some outstanding classical music.
Where does all this happen?
Rehearsals take place at the Houston Baptist University, just south of Southwest Freeway at Fondren. For the 2010-2011 season, we anticipate performing at First United Methodist Church Westpark Campus (Sam Houston Tollway at Westpark) and the new and beautiful Morris Cultural Arts Center on the Houston Baptist University Campus.
