April 4, 2003
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Announces 2003 Performing Arts Season
The Woodlands, TX, April 4, 2003 - As the Summer Home of the Houston Symphony, The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, home of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, announces its 2003 Performing Arts Season featuring some of the greatest performing arts organizations in the world, including the renowned Houston Symphony, Opera Verdi Europa and United States Air Force Band of the West.
Performing with the Houston Symphony this season are world-class performers Olga Kern, Eduardus Halim, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Mariache Cobre. This year's performing arts lineup also features the new Summer Youth Pops Orchestra, Texas Music Festival Orchestra and the patriotic Star-Spangled Salute, as well as the annual Children’s Festival and The Woodlands ArtFest in the fall. "The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion couldn't be more proud to be the Summer Home of the Houston Symphony," said Jerry MacDonald, president and CEO of The Pavilion. "The Houston Symphony is a world-class organization with some of the best musicians in the country. We are delighted they are performing here this summer." Season ticket packages for The Pavilion's 2003 performing arts series are available after May 1, 2003.
Swingin' Symphony featuring Big Bad Voodoo Daddy with the Houston Symphony Robert Moody, Conductor Friday, May 30, 8 p.m. Decked out in pinstriped suits, fedora hats and spectator shoes, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy brings its own modern version of swing to The Pavilion for an evening dubbed Swingin' Symphony. Under the baton of Robert Moody, the neo-swing little big band's music is "an alternative to retro…high-octane nitro jive," said singer/songwriter/ guitarist Scotty Morris. BBVD revived big band music for the '90s by concentrating on the swinging days of the '40s and '50s, borrowing some of the Rat Pack lingo and re-introducing zoot suits to the music scene. The band wasn't the first to break out of the national swing circuit, but due to their performance in the 1996 hit comedy film "Swingers," they quickly became one of the most popular. In 1998, Capitol Records released the group's first major-label debut, the self-titled "Big Bad Voodoo Daddy." "This Beautiful Life" followed a year later. Tickets: $45/35/25/15
Summer Youth Pops Orchestra Mike Wells, Conductor Friday, June 20, 7 p.m. The Summer Youth Pops Orchestra is the latest addition to The Pavilion's educational outreach programs. One of the very few "pops" orchestras for young musicians in the country, and the only one of its kind in Texas, the orchestra is composed of approximately 65 junior high and high school students from the Greater Houston area. The program consists of two weeks of training and rehearsals, culminating with this free public performance at The Pavilion. The orchestra is designed to promote and expand the musical and educational development of students from area school districts. Unlike traditional band and orchestra camps, this program introduces students to a variety of "pops" styles and repertory. Mike Wells, orchestra director at Katy High School, is music director and conductor of the program. Gabe Musella, assistant band director at Spring High School, is wind and percussion director and music arranger. Recording artist Trish Murphy, described by Billboard magazine as "Tom Petty meets Jewel meets Lucinda Williams," is the featured guest artist. Free event
Texas Music Festival Orchestra, “American Legacy” Sidney Harth, Conductor Friday, June 20, 8 p.m. Coinciding with the Summer Youth Pops Orchestra's performance is the University of Houston's Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival, an intensive four-week program of study and personal instruction for 100 college-aged musicians from around the world. The festival culminates with a spirited orchestral performance by these young musicians led by distinguished conductor Sidney Harth. For an evening titled "American Legacy," the orchestra presents "Variations on America" by Charles Ives, "Summer Lightning" by Jacob Druckman, "Medea's Meditation & Dance of Vengeance" by Samuel Barber and Morton Gould's "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." The evening also features a special solo performance by the winner of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist Competition. Free event
Houston Symphony's Star-Spangled Salute Michael Krajewski, Conductor Wednesday, July 3, 8 p.m. Houston Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski serves up an evening of good, old-fashioned family fun, complete with patriotic fanfare and music, at the annual Independence Eve concert, the Star-Spangled Salute. American classics, sing-alongs, and a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with cannon blasts highlight the evening's program. Currently principal pops conductor of the New Mexico, Long Beach and Jacksonville symphonies, Krajewski is known for his delightful sense of humor and entertaining style, both of which promise an evening of laughter and wonderful music. This event is generously underwritten by The Woodlands Operating Company, L.P. Free event
THE GEORGE P. AND CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL CONCERTS Houston Symphony, "The Bittersweet Music of Vienna" Hans Graf, Conductor Thursday, July 10, 8 p.m. Hans Graf, music director of the Houston Symphony, leads the world-renowned orchestra in the first of two performances comprising The George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Concerts. This evening's program highlights the works of two well-known Viennese composers, Franz Schubert and Johann Strauss Jr. Maestro Graf leads the symphony in Schubert's Overture in E minor, D. 648 and the unfinished Symphony No. 8, as well as Strauss' Overture to "Die Fledermaus," "Tales from the Vienna Woods," "Im Krapfen-Waldl," "Auf der Jagd" and "Accelerationen Waltzer." Graf debuted with the Houston Symphony in March 2000. Less than two years later, he took the podium as the orchestra's 15th music director. Tickets: $15/10/8.50/7
Houston Symphony, "The Glories of Prague and Budapest" Hans Graf, Conductor Eduardus Halim, Piano Friday, July 11, 8 p.m. Hans Graf continues with the second performance of The George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Concerts leading the Houston Symphony in a program titled "The Glories of Prague and Budapest." The evening's performance features Dvorák's "Legends" and "Carnival Overture," Bartók's "Hungarian Sketches" and Kodály's "Dances of Galanta." Also on the program is Liszt's "Totentanz," featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Eduardus Halim. Graf is in his eighth season as music director of Canada's Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and his fifth season with the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine in France. Tickets: $15/10/8.50/7
United States Air Force Band of the West Major Dean L. Zarmbinski, Commander Thursday, August 7, 8 p.m. The United States Air Force Band of the West Concert Band is a 45-member ensemble that represents the United States Air Force by performing music for formal military ceremonies, educational clinics and public concerts throughout the Southwest. Each public performance offers a wide range of entertaining music by preeminent composers. The band's repertoire consists of music from the Renaissance up to present day ranging from serious symphonic band literature to Broadway musicals, and from Sousa marches to today's popular hits. Members of the band are highly skilled, professional musicians from colleges and universities across the nation who are serving in the U.S. Air Force. Under the direction of Major Dean L. Zarmbinski, the Concert Band regularly performs for high-ranking military and civilian dignitaries and has earned a reputation as one of the finest military concert bands in America. Free event
Houston Symphony, "Russian Rhapsody" David Amado, Conductor Olga Kern, Piano Thursday, August 21, 8 p.m. Under the direction of guest conductor David Amado, the Houston Symphony performs "Russian Rhapsody," a program consisting of the works of three of Russia's most-prominent composers: Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky. Amado leads the symphony in Tchaikovsky's Suite No. 4, also known as "Mozartiana," and "Francesca da Rimini," as well as Stravinsky's "Circus Polka." Acclaimed pianist Olga Kern joins the symphony in Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini." Kern, the first woman to win the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Gold Medal at the Eleventh Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in more than 30 years, captivates fans and critics alike with her passionately confident musicianship and vivid stage presence. Boston Herald critic Keith Powers said, "There were no cannons firing inside Symphony Hall, but Kern shot off plenty of rockets with her reading of Rachmaninoff's showy 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.'" Amado, recently named music director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, is also the associate conductor of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Tickets: $15/10/8.50/7
Fiesta Pops featuring Mariache Cobre with the Houston Symphony Michael Krajewski, Conductor Friday, August 22, 8 p.m. Celebrating its 32nd anniversary, Mariachi Cobre, a 12-piece ensemble of violins, trumpets and guitars, showcases bold, stirring vocal harmonies, complex rhythms and exuberant playing. The group has not only performed with the great artists of Mexican music, but has also collaborated with great musicians of other genres. Cobre has been featured with Vikki Carr and the San Antonio and San Jose symphonies, Doc Severinsen and the Milwaukee, Phoenix and Minnesota symphonies, and numerous other orchestras in the United States and Mexico. In 2000 and 2001, Cobre performed, recorded and toured with the Boston Pops. This Fiesta Pops performance, under the direction of Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski, marks Mariache Cobre's debut with the Houston Symphony. Tickets: $45/35/25/15
Houston Symphony Alasdair Neale, Conductor Saturday, August 30, 8 p.m. Alasdair Neale, guest conductor for the Houston Symphony's Aug. 30 performance, began his tenure as music director of the Marin Symphony in 2001. He also holds the positions of music director of the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, principal guest conductor of the New World Symphony and music director of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Orchestra. His appointment at the Marin Symphony followed 12 years as associate conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and music director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. The program for this performance has yet to be determined. Tickets: $15/10/8.50/7
Opera Verdi Europa's "Rigoletto" Saturday, October 4, 8 p.m. Established in 1996 by Ivan Kyurkchiev, Opera Verdi is based on the great traditions of the art of opera in Bulgaria and presents unique productions combining the best of the opera worlds of Bulgaria and all of Europe. The international stature of Opera Verdi is demonstrated by the company's participation in the thrilling "super-productions" of "La Traviata" at the Muncheon Olympiahalle in December 2001, "Carmen" in Arnhem, "Nabucco" and "Rigoletto" in Rotterdam and "Aida" at the Arena auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, as well as acclaimed productions at the Stade de France in Paris in September 2001 and the Grosse Festspielehalle in Salzbug in January 2002. The company undertakes its first tour of the United States in the fall of 2003. Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto," an opera in three acts on a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, from the play "Le Roi s'amuse" by Victor Hugo, premiered in Venice on March 11, 1851. "Rigoletto" was the first of what is known as Verdi's "popular trilogy," followed by "La Traviata" and "Il Trovatore." The opera is performed in Italian with English supertitles. Tickets: $35/25/15/10
Ninth Annual Children’s Festival Saturday, October 18, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, October 19, 1-5 p.m. The Pavilion is transformed into a giant playground of fun for the young and young at heart at the Ninth Annual Children’s Festival. Award-winning children’s performers educate and entertain thousands of children on three different stages during two days of non-stop fun and excitement. Each artist, including Festival favorites David Parker and Joe Scruggs, has a unique ability to delight and inspire children with programs that not only amuse, but also communicate positive messages. The festival features music, dance, puppetry, theater, mime, comedy, storytelling, arts and crafts, games, hands-on activities, face painting, “Arts Alley” and more! Tickets: $5
The Woodlands ArtFest Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, 12-5 p.m. The Woodlands ArtFest is a juried fine arts show promoting original artwork from regional and national professional artists while showcasing student art and performing artists. Media categories in this “exclusively fine arts” show include oils, watercolors, pastels, drawings, sculptures, photography and mixed media. The Student Art Show winners are displayed throughout the weekend. All artwork shown is available for purchase. Proceeds from The Woodlands ArtFest benefit Partners, the official volunteer organization for The Pavilion. Partners provides support for The Pavilion's educational outreach programs that introduce and promote the arts to the Greater Houston area. Tickets: $5 for adults; $2 for children ages six and under
Ticket Information Individual tickets and performing arts season ticket packages are available after May 1, 2003, at The Pavilion Ticket Office, located at 2005 Lake Robbins Drive in The Woodlands. The Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and on event days through intermission. Individual tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Foley’s, Fiesta and Wherehouse Music, by calling 713-629-3700, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Some service charges may apply. Children age five and under are admitted to the lawn free of charge at most performances. Some restrictions may apply. Picnics are welcome at all performing arts events; however, beverages can not be brought into the venue at any time.
Mission Founded in 1990, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is part of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides diverse, high-quality performing and visual arts events for the entertainment and enrichment of a broad regional audience. Through numerous educational and community outreach programs, The Center is a catalyst for attracting new audiences to the performing and visual arts and building strong ties between the arts and educational institutions. For more information regarding upcoming events at The Pavilion, call 281-363-3300 or visit The Pavilion’s Web site at pavilion.woodlandscenter.org.
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For photos, bio's or additional information, contact:
Cindy DuBois, Public Relations Manager The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands 281-363-9783 or cdubois@woodlandscenter.org
