Kicking off this season’s Unchambered series, Flair will feature an instrument familiar to many – the clarinet – but have you ever heard what it can really do? Learn from ROCO clarinetists Nathan Williams and Maiko Sasaki how they put together a program of duos which led them on an expedition of discovering new works, and revisiting old pieces they learned as young clarinetists, to narrate their stories of coming-of-age through music.
Seeing in different ways: a ROCOInsider Q&A with mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin
What do colors sound like? Ahead of this weekend’s world premiere of Lisa Bielawa’s song cycle Centuries in the Hours, we had a chance to sit down with mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin – who has been blind since birth – to explore how she sees the world, yielding a unique, and deeper way, of musical collaboration.
Get to know conductor Mei-Ann Chen – ROCO’s first Artistic Partner!
This weekend we are so thrilled to welcome back one of the most beloved guests to ROCO’s podium – conductor Mei-Ann Chen, now as ROCO’s first-ever Artistic Partner! Though audiences may know her from previous appearances, there are a few fun tidbits we discovered – such as the unexpected career she might have if she weren’t a musician. Read on to learn more about Mei-Ann!
Making visible, the invisible: a ROCOInsider Q&A with composer Lisa Bielawa
The first world premiere commission of ROCO’s 15th season “Coming Of Age,” takes audiences back in time for a poignant glimpse into the everyday lives of five American women, giving voice to their unique yet unknown experiences for the first time – in Lisa Bielawa’s Centuries in the Hours, written for mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin.
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Every commission has a unique story, but they all have a similar path. ROCO commissions an average of 10 new works each season and will have performed the world premiere of nearly 80 commissioned new works by the end of the current season.
New music, ancestral tradition: a ROCOInsider Q&A with composer Erberk Eryilmaz
Capping off ROCO’s 14th season of “Games People Play,” our final world premiere commission pays tribute to a game blending skill, strength, and artistic expression – the sport of traditional Turkish wrestling! We sat down with composer Erberk Eryılmaz to learn more about the inspiration for his new work, and his unique journey as a musician, taking him cross-continent from his native Turkey, all the way to Texas.
Connecting through creation: a ROCOInsider Q&A with muralist Jessica Padilla
Meet the artist of ROCO’s new interactive Mini Mural, Jessica Padilla, as we explore all that went into the process of making our musical vision come to life, and discover what she loves about being an artist and art teacher.
Catching the tune: a ROCOInsider Q&A with trumpeter George Chase
Curated by ROCO trumpeter George Chase, discover how the program of ROCO Unchambered: Chase Sequence came together, why it’s such a challenge for the musicians, and what George finds most rewarding about arranging for the quintet – in this edition of ROCOInsider!
On unexpected journeys: a ROCOInsider Q&A with composer Jim Stephenson
From orchestras, to bands, to choirs, plus soloists of almost every instrument – the music of composer Jim Stephenson has been performed by musicians of all ages, across America and the world. We are thrilled to welcome him to Houston for the world premiere of his newest work celebrating the fun hobby of model railroading – ROCOmotive!
A Note on Notes: A ROCOInsider Q&A with Mark Buller
In this installment of ROCOInsider, Audience Engagement Coordinator, Rachel Smith, sat down with ROCO’s program note writer, Mark Buller, to chat about what goes into the making of a program note.
Playing musical games: a ROCOInsider Q&A with co-principal violist Suzanne LeFevre
In this ROCOInsider, learn how co-principal violist Suzanne LeFevre crafted the program of ROCO Unchambered: Terzetto, hear why the viola is like a secret sauce, and discover why this performance is truly “music among friends!”
Composing evolution: a ROCOInsider Q&A with Sapien’s Stephanie Ann Boyd
Adding to ROCO’s ever-growing body of commissions, Saturday’s ROCO Unchambered: Force of Nature features the world premiere of Sapien by Stephanie Ann Boyd, for flute, oboe, cello and piano.
