> In the early spring of 2009, I was approached by Alecia Lawyer with an exciting proposition involving a commission for a film score. Always excited for a project with ROCO, I agreed to meet with Endangered Species Media Project. The original idea for this piece was to be a musical score to accompany a…
>New Kristin Wolfe Jensen CD Released!
> ROCO principal bassoonist, Kristin Wolfe Jensen, has a new CD: “Virko Baley’s Parables & Reflections.” From Kristin: “Having performed Virko Baley’s works in Australia, England, New York, Las Vegas and Austin, I am thrilled that they are now captured on CD! The vivid characters he creates, and the great passions he injects are unrivaled in…
>Audience Texts at Conductorless!
>We love hearing from you during our concerts. At the Take 5 break during our Feb 13th concert, you texted these messages to us: “I love the balance of the group. My heart follows every note.”“Amazing job! Happy Chinese New Year!!” “LOVED Simone. Bravo! And conductorless format is very interesting, it’s much more intimate.” “Wow…
>Rest in peace, Beth Newdome
> We are mourning the loss of violinist, Beth Newdome, who lost her battle with cancer on February 13, 2010. Beth played with ROCO during Season 4. We are repeating her obituary announcement from the Feb 16, Mansfield News Journal. MANSFIELD ~ A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint pictures on silence. ~ Leopold Stokowski Beth…
>Why Conductorless?
> Wikipedia defines conductorless as “a unique style of collaborative leadership in which the musicians interpret the music, not the conductor.” Performing conductorless requires collaboration, mutual respect, and “radical trust” It empowers the individual musicians in a way that translates into an exciting experience for the audience. Removing the “wall” between orchestra and audience exposes…
>We love to hear from you!
>THANK YOU, Daryl Crown, for your letter about our October concert at Chapelwood United Methodist Church: “I continue to be amazed at the variety and talent of the performers that come to Chapelwood through the Evans Art Series. To put my comments in context, I am not a follower of the musical arts, and, to…
>Unifying Cultures through Music
>The great 19th century poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, said “Music is the universal language of all mankind.” Never has this been more apparent than in the musical programming and creative collaborations found in River Oaks Chamber Orchestra’s fifth season. ROCO invites the audience into a musical conversation that transcends cultures and generations. This season, every…
>Kana Kimura in solo concert, Nov 22
>ROCO violinist, Kana Kimura, will present a solo concert on Sunday afternoon, November 22, at 2:15pm, at The Recital Room at Dowling Music, 2615 Southwest Freeway at Kirby Drive. A native of Tokyo, Japan, Kana Kimura, moved with her family to Edmonton, Alberta and began her musical studies at the age of four. She completed…
>ROCO Wine and Music Tasting, November 10th
>Great music, fine wine and good company – that’s “ROCO company,” or ROCOco. ROCO hosts several “music tastings” each season. These popular events are held in wine cellars or tasting rooms, feature individual ROCO soloists, and pair music with wine or beer and food in a lively, intimate setting. On November 10th, we’ll feature principal…
>ROCO on KUHF The Front Row
>Conductor Joel Smirnoff, ROCO Concertmaster Brian Lewis, and Executive Director and Founder Alecia Lawyer joined KUHF’s St. John Flynn in the Geary Performance Studio for a preview session of the 5th Season Opener on October 9, 2009. Click here to listen to the interview
>Musical & Literary Ofrenda, October 27th
>Join us for a joyful evening of celebration and remembrance, Tuesday, October 27th, 6:00-7:30, at the Lawndale Art Center, at 4912 Main Street, 77002. This program is a partership among ROCO, Musiqa, Inprint, Lawndale Art Center, and The Mexican Consulate. During Día de los Muertos, families create ofrendas or altars to remember and honor the…
>New Bassoon Method Instruction from ROCO Bassoonist, Kristin Wolfe Jensen
> We’re excited about the launch of ROCO principal bassoon, Kristin Wolfe Jensen’s online bassoon method book, Music and the Bassoon. It provides free instruction and is enhanced with audio and video clips so students may have unlimited access to aural and visual models. Kristin designed it for students who might not have access to…