Robert Franz News

On June 22, music lovers can hear another free concert by the 100-year-old Houston Symphony at Miller Outdoor Theatre as part of their ExxonMobil Summer Symphony Nights series at Miller Outdoor Theatre. The concert will feature popular works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. Led by associate conductor Robert Franz, the concert will also feature cello soloist Christine Lamprea, a native of San Antonio and winner of the 2013 Sphinx Competition, who will make her debut with the Houston Symphony performing Tchaikovsky's technically challenging Variations on a Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra.

On June 21, the Houston Symphony will celebrate its 100th birthday on the anniversary of its first public concert by inviting all of Houston to a free Centennial 100th Birthday Concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre.

The Houston Symphony will kick off its Centennial Season with a sensational line up of summer concerts, including over 10 FREE concerts in the Houston community as a part of its Sounds Like Fun! andExxonMobil Summer Symphony Nights at Miller Outdoor Theatre concert series. Concert highlights include a celebratory Centennial 100th Birthday Concert on June 21 at Miller Outdoor Theatre, a free 12-hour Day of Music celebrating of Houston's Musical Diversity at Jones Hall on July 13 and the annual 4th of July concert, Star Spangled Salute, complete with booming cannons and a fireworks display provided by the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board.

Participants will consider multiple views of the future of orchestras at the League of American Orchestras' 68th National Conference, June 18-20, 2013 in St. Louis. The Conference, under the theme Imagining 2023, will include a keynote and breakout sessions with futurist thinkers and industry leaders, live participatory performances and traditional concerts, and a master class with conductor David Robertson, music director of the St. Louis Symphony, which is co-hosting the Conference. Nearly 1000 professionals and volunteers from across the orchestra field are expected to attend the three-day event. The closing general session will be video streamed live.

Led by Associate Conductor Robert Franz, the Houston Symphony invites families to a concert today, April 20 that will take audience members back to pre-historic times. Featuring pieces such as John Williams' Theme from Jurassic Park and Morton Gould's The Jogger and the Dinosaur, the concert will create a pre-historic world within Jones Hall. During the concert, there will be several special visitors including an archeologist from the Houston Museum of Natural Science who will present and discuss dinosaur artifacts. The Symphony's percussion section will also be in the spotlight throughout the performance.

Celebrating the 1970s, the Houston Symphony and Michael Cavanaugh will entertain audiences in concerts of classic rock favorites tonight, April 19 and April 20 & 21. Under the direction of Associate Conductor Robert Franz, the Symphony will accompany Cavanaugh on hits from Elton John and bands such as Journey, Chicago, the Eagles and Styx.

Led by Associate Conductor Robert Franz, the Houston Symphony invites families to a concert on Saturday, April 20 that will take audience members back to pre-historic times. Featuring pieces such as John Williams' Theme from Jurassic Park and Morton Gould's The Jogger and the Dinosaur, the concert will create a pre-historic world within Jones Hall. During the concert, there will be several special visitors including an archeologist from the Houston Museum of Natural Science who will present and discuss dinosaur artifacts. The Symphony's percussion section will also be in the spotlight throughout the performance.

Celebrating the 1970s, the Houston Symphony and Michael Cavanaugh will entertain audiences in concerts of classic rock favorites on April 19, 20 and 21. Under the direction of Associate Conductor Robert Franz, the Symphony will accompany Cavanaugh on hits from Elton John and bands such as Journey, Chicago, the Eagles and Styx.

On March 30, the Houston Symphony will present a one-night-only performance of favorite Disney music. Four talented vocalists will join the orchestra as musical memories jump to life with Disney animation, film clips and original storyboard art projected on the big screen above the stage. While every generation has a favorite Disney movie, this concert is perfect for audiences of all ages who share a common love for the songs accompanying the iconic films. Houston Symphony Associate Conductor Robert Franz will lead the orchestra and soloists in songs from Disney movies such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, Aladdin, The Lion King and more. The enchanting music and stunning visuals of these masterpieces are sure to be an unforgettable night for Disney fans of all ages!

The Cleveland Orchestra has announced its upcoming concerts and events for March 2013. See details below!

The Cleveland Orchestra announces a special week of activities highlighting the importance of music education, young musicians, and the wide range of Cleveland Orchestra educational programs available to the community. The week, March 4-10, 2013, will feature hundreds of young musicians from 40 communities across Ohio in performance, and includes a special Showcase Concert and Middle School Education Concert conducted by Music Director Franz Welser-Möst, Elementary School Education Concerts, a Family Concert, 23 programs presented by Cleveland Orchestra musicians in schools in greater Cleveland, and more.

The Cleveland Orchestra has announced its upcoming concerts and events for March 2013. See details below!

Led by Associate Conductor Robert Franz, the Houston Symphony invites families to a mystical musical experience today, January 19.

Led by Associate Conductor Robert Franz, the Houston Symphony invites families to a mystical musical experience on Saturday, January 19.

Celebrating the beginning of the Christmas season, the Houston Symphony led by Associate Conductor Robert Franz invites families to experience the Hip Hoppin' Nutcracker on December 8th. A new take on an age-old holiday tradition, the program will feature the fun and explosive dance routines of Westside High School's INERTIA Dance Company and a visit from Old Saint Nick himself. The program will close with an audience sing-along of classic holiday favorites including a performance of several spirited versions of "Sleigh Ride."

The Houston Symphony hosted members of Big Brothers Big Sisters at the first Family concert of the season thanks to a sponsorship from The Rand Group, LLC. Fourteen pairs of adult volunteers ("Bigs") and children ("Littles") attended "Wands & Batons: The Music of Harry Potter & More" on October 6. The morning adventure was filled with activities, including crafts and an instrument petting zoo. A lucky set of eight even got to sit on stage with the orchestra and compete in Harry Potter trivia questions in front of an audience of 1,496. After the concert, the group got to meet Associate Conductor Robert Franz, still dressed in his Hedwig the owl costume, and was treated to lunch in Jones Hall.

The Cleveland Orchestra announces its 2012-13 Family Concert Series, for children ages 7 and older, and PNC Musical Rainbow Series, for children ages 3 to 6. Both concert series are designed to introduce young people to classical music, and feature performances by Cleveland Orchestra musicians with special guest artists. Subscriptions for both series, as well as single tickets, are now available.

The Cleveland Orchestra announces its 2012-13 Family Concert Series, for children ages 7 and older, and PNC Musical Rainbow Series, for children ages 3 to 6. Both concert series are designed to introduce young people to classical music, and feature performances by Cleveland Orchestra musicians with special guest artists. Subscriptions for both series, as well as single tickets, are now available.

On October 6, Houston Symphony Associate Conductor Robert Franz will wave his baton and cast a spell over the entire audience to kick off the 2012-13 Family Season with Wands and Batons - The Music of Harry Potter and More.

The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts announces its 2010-2011 season schedule. Touring companies of THE COLOR PURPLE, GREASE, LEGALLY BLONDE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, WICKED, and MAMMA MIA are scheduled to appear as well as local musical, ballet, and acting performances.