Cynthia Wood News

On February 22, 23 and 24, the Houston Symphony invites audiences to Jones Hall for an evening of the music of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel as performed by AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle.

Houston Symphony President Robert A. Peiser and Executive Director and CEO Mark C. Hanson announced today that the Orchestra has selected Colombian-born, Vienna-trained conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada as its next Music Director. Orozco-Estrada, who will occupy the Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair, will serve as Music Director Designate during the 2013-14 season and will begin a five-year contract in the 2014-15 season. Orozco-Estrada's appointment was formally announced on the Jones Hall stage today in front of several hundred people, including the orchestra, staff, board, local media and Houston's Mayor, the Honorable Annise D. Parker. The announcement event was also streamed live over the internet.

Houston Symphony President Robert A. Peiser and Executive Director and CEO Mark C. Hanson announced today that the Orchestra has selected Colombian-born, Vienna-trained conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada as its next Music Director. Orozco-Estrada, who will occupy the Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair, will serve as Music Director Designate during the 2013-14 season and will begin a five-year contract in the 2014-15 season. Orozco-Estrada's appointment was formally announced on the Jones Hall stage today in front of several hundred people, including the orchestra, staff, board, local media and Houston's Mayor, the Honorable Annise D. Parker. The announcement event was also streamed live over the internet.

The Houston Symphony will honor the great Louis Armstrong and his musical masterpieces in a concert January 18, 19 and 20. Joining the orchestra will be Byron Stripling, a prominent figure in the modern American jazz scene. Stripling was chosen to portray Louis Armstrong himself in Broadway's Satchmo, a musical based on the life of the musician and inspired by Armstrong's musical style.

One of Houston's most beloved holiday musical traditions, the Houston Symphony and the Houston Symphony Chorus will bring their annual Very Merry Pops concert back to Jones Hall on December 14, 15 and 16. Full of holiday cheer, Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski promises a line-up of favorite holiday melodies like "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Jingle Bells," "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Sleigh Ride" and even a few sing-alongs! Broadway's original Mary Poppins, Ashley Brown will bring vocal flair to holiday favorites along with the Houston Symphony Chorus and even Santa Claus himself.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, the Houston Symphony will recreate the popular film series' memorable musical moments in concerts on November 23, 24 and 25. Houston Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Mike Krajewski will lead the orchestra and Tony Award-winning vocalist Debbie Gravitte, who will sing popular songs such as "Goldfinger," "Diamonds Are Forever," "The World Is Not Enough" and Adele's newest hit, 'Skyfall,' the title song for the eponymous 23rd film in the Bond franchise, which opens tomorrow.

On October 5, 6 and 7, Broadway divas Nicole Parker and Alli Mauzey will sing with the Houston Symphony in a Pops performance featuring powerhouse songs from Wicked, Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera, Titanic and other popular songs from Broadway and Hollywood. Steven Reineke, Music Director of The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall series, will guest conduct the concerts. Having performed the Broadway roles of Elphaba and Glinda respectively, Nicole Parker and Alli Mauzey are sure to bring a stunning and dramatic presence to the Jones Hall stage while celebrating great women of the stage and screen.

Cellist Maya Beiser will see the New York premiere of her new production, ELSEWHERE, a "CelloOpera," in four performances from October 17 through 20 at 7:30pm, during the 2012 BAM Next Wave Festival in the inaugural season of the Fishman Space, part of BAM's new Richard B. Fischer Building which opens in September 2012 at 321 Ashland Place in Brooklyn. ELSEWHERE is produced by Beth Morrison Projects.

MUTEMATH have announced a headlining fall tour. The nationwide run kicks of September 13 in Phoenix, AZ and runs through October 25th.

In celebration of the album release, Linkin Park will be performing 2 consecutive nights on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday, June 27th and Thursday, June 28th. The band will be playing songs from LIVING THINGS as well as some of their biggest hits.

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) are off on an extensive U.S. summer tour, which began in early June and continues through the end of September. The CSN U.S. Summer Tour stops in Providence at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) tonight, June 15, 2012 at 8P.

There's not much to do on the Irish island of Inishmaan. To pass the time, some folks stare at cows, talk to stones or await the daily dose of gossip at the general store. When a Hollywood film crew begins shooting a movie nearby, the Inishmaan islanders finally have a diversion from their everyday lives. For resident "Cripple" Billy Claven, however, a role in the film offers an opportunity to escape Inishmaan and rise above his disability.

There's not much to do on the Irish island of Inishmaan. To pass the time, some folks stare at cows, talk to stones or await the daily dose of gossip at the general store. When a Hollywood film crew begins shooting a movie nearby, the Inishmaan islanders finally have a diversion from their everyday lives. For resident "Cripple" Billy Claven, however, a role in the film offers an opportunity to escape Inishmaan and rise above his disability.

The University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance is celebrating the Bard's birthday - UH's Shakespeare on the Green will offer free performances of the legendary dramatist's work.

The Gang of Outlaws Tour brings three leaders of their respective genres together for six weeks of performances this May and June. Joining the legendary ZZ Top are 3 Doors Down and, on most of the dates, Gretchen Wilson. The tour will alight at select eastern, southern and mid western venues, kicking off May 25 in Manchester, NH.

KISS and MOTLEY CRUE are uniting to launch THE TOUR of 2012. The summer's rock tour will visit 40+ cities nationwide starting July 20th. The Live Nation promoted tour will go on sale beginning Friday, March 23rd at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. Both bands will have fan club presales beginning Wednesday, March 21st at 10am.

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) announced an extensive U.S. summer tour today, beginning in early June and continuing through the end of September. The CSN U.S. Summer Tour stops in Providence at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 8P.