Houston Civic Symphony

Highlights of 2012-13 Programming Announced

Music Selection — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:41:00 -0800

Houston Civic Symphony is excited to announce its programming for the 2012-2013 concert schedule.

The West Houston Assistance Ministries concert in October has a "Night at the Movies" theme, and will include The Cowboys Overture by John Williams, Quo Vadis Suite by Miklos Roza, Colonel Bogey March by F.J. Ricketts, and Bolero by Maurice Ravel.

In November, the Symphony will perform with the Member Concerto Competition winner, and also perform Fantastic Scherzo by Josef Suk and other works.

In January 2013, the orchestra will return to St. Martin's Episcopal Church to perform Guilmant's Organ Concerto and Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3, "Organ", with Dr. David Henning at the organ.

The March concert will feature the Young Artist Concerto Competition winners, with Carnival Overture by Antonin Dvorak, and Tam O'Shanter by Malcom Arnold.

The season will close with the Beethoven Violin Concerto performed by Kurt Johnson, first violinist, Houston Symphony, and a major choral work to be announced.

Senior Division Winners Announced

Houston Civic Symphony — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:15:00 -0800

Houston Civic Symphony is pleased to announce the winners in the Senior Division, Young Artist Concerto competition. Our thanks and congratulations to all performers.

First place winners are James Cooper, cello, performing Variations on a Rococo Theme, Tchaikovsky, and Josef Lamell, clarinet, performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. Both will perform with the Symphony at the March 2 concert.

Second place winner is Bowie Lin, violin, performing Violin Concerto No. 2, Wieniawski.

Honorable Mention is awarded to Claire Wood, violin, performing Saint-Saens’ Concerto No. 3.

Junior Division Concerto Winners Announced

Houston Civic Symphony — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:17:00 -0800

Houston Civic Symphony is pleased to announce the results of the Junior Division.

First Place is Ethan Le, violin, performing Saint-Saens' Violin Concerto. Ethan will perform with Civic Symphony at the March concert.

Second Place is Elaine Wood, cello, performing Saint Saens' Concerto No. 1 in a minor.

Honorable Mentions go to Rohith Karur, violin, and Anna Zu, violin.

Congratulations to all competitors!

Civic Symphony to return to St. Martin's Episcopal Church

Alvin Thomas — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:22:00 -0800

Houston Civic Symphony is pleased to announce that it will return to St. Martin's Episcopal Church,Sage at Woodway, for its March 2, 2012 concert. This concert will feature winners of the Symphony's Young Artist Concerto Competition that will be held in January 2012.

“Audience Favorite” at the Ima Hogg National Young Artist Concerto Competition 2011 to perform with HCS on Nov 18th

Michael W. Barron — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:03:00 -0700

Recently making her debut with the Houston Symphony, pianist Geraldine Ong was voted “Audience Favorite” at the Ima Hogg National Young Artist Concerto Competition 2011. Her performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, streamed online and aired live on Houston’s classical station KUHA 91.7, received critical acclaim. Just last month, she performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto in C Major, K. 467 with the New Orleans Civic Symphony.

Currently a Doctoral Candidate at University of Houston Moores School of Music, Geraldine studies with renowned pedagogue, Nancy Weems. She is a recipient of a Presidential Graduate Fellowship, awarded to students of exceptional caliber who represent extraordinary academic credentials. Prior to doctoral studies, she received Masters and Bachelors degrees from Northwestern University and Missouri State University. Past principal teachers include Alan Chow, Wei-Han Su, and Chong Lim Ng. Geraldine has performed in masterclasses with Richard Goode, Stephen Hough, Jean-Philippe Collard, Nelita True, Frank Heneghan, Seymour Lipkin, and Philippe Entremont.

Last year, Geraldine took third place at the Music Teacher's National Association Young Artist Competition, after winning the division and state competitions. She is also a prize winner of the Ruth Burr Piano Competition, Tuesday Musical Club of San Antonio, Thaviu-Isaak Piano Competition, University of Houston Concerto Competition, Jefferson Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competition, and Northwestern University Concerto Competition.

Geraldine has performed at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. in conjunction with the Conservatory Project, an ongoing showcase for our nation's exceptional young talent. When she was in France for the Fontainebleau Music Festival, she was very excited to have been invited to perform at Parc de Bel Ebat in France, where Ravel's Piano Trio was premiered. She has plans to learn the complete piano works of Maurice Ravel, one of her favorite composers, as part of her doctoral project.

Member Concerto Competition winner announced

alvinthomas — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:14:56 -0700

Derek MacLeay, Principal Bassoon, Houston Civic Symphony, has been selected as the winner of the Member Concerto Competition. He will perform Gordon Jacob's Concerto for Bassoon, Strings and Percussion at the January 2012 Symphony concert.

Civic Symphony Music Director Brian Runnels noted that the quality of performance by all participants was quite good, making it difficult to select a winner.

Second place was awarded the horn quartet of Cliff and Carol Wright, Mike Smith, and Marsh Hudson, who performed Schumann's Konzertstuck.