Houston’s Virtual event season continues in full swing with the very special evening provided by the Houston Symphony to kick off its new season at Jones Hall. The evening chaired by Sippi and Ajay Khurana, hosted only 60 in-person attendees practicing mask and social distancing protocol. This unique but becoming ever-popular approach to fundraising events in the Covid-era raised more than $500,000 for the Houston Symphony’s Education and Community Programming. ConocoPhillips served as the Concert Sponsor and Lead Gala Corporate Underwriter for the 34th year.
Attendance for the live performance was limited to only 60 black-tie attired guests in the massive hall with only 40 musicians on the stage at any given time. However, watching from the comfort of their own homes on “live-stream” during this Covid19 time were many other virtually devoted patrons.
The evening was a true celebration welcoming the orchestra back on stage for the 2020-21 Season. John Mangum, Executive Director/CEO, and holder of the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair for the Houston Symphony greeted guests and introduced new Symphony Board Chair and President John Rydman. Mangum served as host for the evening adding a new dimension for the live and streaming audiences with vivid descriptions of each musical selection, as well as an interview with Concertmaster and Max Levine Chair Yoonshin Song.
Yoonshin Song was the violinist and leader for a program that included works by three of today’s pre-eminent women composers……Jessie Montgomery’s Banner for string quartet and sitting orchestra (based on the Star Spangled Banner and Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing), Keiko Abe’s Conversations in the Forest for marimba duo and Jennifer Higdon’s Autumn Music for wind quintet–alongside Gabrieli’s Duodecimi Toni, Ravel’s Introduction and Allegra, and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins, in honor of event chair Sippi Khurana.
The Events Company took inspiration from the romantic theme by creating beautiful arrangements as guests entered Jones Hall……beautiful roses combined with antique hydrangeas.
Due to the current situation, the Symphony was unable to host its annual post-performance seated dinner, however for those at home, City Kitchen delivered delicious dinners and charcuterie trays with wine selected by John Rydman/Spec’s Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods. Patrons were able to enjoy these delicious tastes at home before or after the concert.
photography by Priscilla Dickson