The Houston Symphony and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 65-699, announced Oct. 9 a new four-year collective bargaining agreement that runs through Oct. 5, 2030. The contract provides wage increases of 3 percent, 3 percent, 3.5 percent, and 4.25 percent over its term and expands the orchestra complement to 95, with the addition of three string positions and two {…}
The Houston Symphony has announced new appointments to its Board of Trustees and leadership councils for the 2025–26 season. Khoa Dao and Stacie Pitts join the Symphony’s Board of Trustees as Governing Directors. Dao is a Chief Commercial Officer at ConocoPhillips and has over 35 years of experience in the energy industry. Meanwhile, Pitts leads global crude trading at Shell. {…}
The Houston Symphony announced the appointment of Anthony J. Maglione as Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus. Maglione will join at the start of the 2025–26 Season and will succeed Allen Hightower, who held the position until February 2024. Julia Hall, who has been serving as Interim Chorus Director, will return to her role as Assistant Director of the Houston {…}
(Photo credit: Melissa Taylor) The Houston Symphony has announced the appointment of 25-year veteran orchestra leader Gary Ginstling to the position of Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer. Beginning his new post on Feb. 3, 2025, Ginstling will hold the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair. Ginstling succeeds John Mangum, who stepped down from this role at the end of Sept. 2024 {…}
(Credit: Victoria Janashvilli) The Houston Symphony has announced a cast change for its Nov. 14 performance. The company said, “Angel Blue has regretfully withdrawn from this week’s performance of Michael Tilson Thomas Conducts Beethoven 9 on Nov. 14. We are grateful to Ellie Dehn for stepping in on short notice!” For her part, Dehn said, “I’m thrilled to join Houston {…}
The Houston Symphony has announced that Gonzalo Farias has been appointed to the position of Associate Conductor beginning this month. In his new role, he will lead the ensemble in numerous programs including the Education, Family, Community, and Summer concerts. He will also cover for guest conductors. He is slated to conduct the “Fiesta Sinfónica” concert, “Hocus Pocus,” and “Sherlock {…}
The Houston Symphony has announced that Elizabeth S. Condic, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, is taking on the role of Interim Executive Director and CEO. She will take over for outgoing CEO John Mangum, who is taking over the role of General Director, President, and CEO of Lyric Opera of Chicago. Condic first started working with the organization in November {…}
The Houston Symphony is set to bring its 2022-23 season to a close with a performance of Stravinsky’s “Oedipus Rex” on May 19 and 20, 2023. The showcase, which will be conducted by music director Juraj Valcuha, will feature projections by Adam Larsen, and stars Michelle DeYoung as Judith. She will be joined by Sean Panikkar in the title role, {…}
Houston Symphony has announced a partnership with the integrated communications firm CKP Group. “We’ve been partnering with the award-winning Houston-based agency, the CKP Group, beginning with the announcement of our new music director, Juraj Valčuha. CKP Account Director Whitney Radley and Account Manager Laine Lieberman worked with us to break that important news, and I’m happy to announce that Whitney {…}
Houston Symphony has announced that internationally-acclaimed conductor Juraj Valčuha has been named as its next music director. Succeeding Andres Orozco-Estrada, the post has been held in the past by figures such as Leopold Stokowski, Andre Previn, and Christoph Eschenbach. Valčuha will begin his tenure at the start of HS’s 2022-23 season, and will be the fifth to hold the position. He {…}