COMPOSER JAMES STEPHENSON wrote “Chase Sequence” for the United States Marine Band’s brass quintet about eight years ago. He had the idea that the piece would start out with an energetic start from a trumpet, with the other instruments following each other quickly through the music. River Oaks Chamber Orchestra’s brass quintet presents the piece to cap off its Unchambered series. With “Chase Sequence,” they’re highlighting a contemporary work, as well as classical jazz pieces.
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra travels across Europe with ‘Ticket to Ride’ | Houston Chronicle
“I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could,” says Brett Mitchell, quoting a favorite bumper sticker of his. “That’s kind of like me. Any excuse to come back to Texas is great.” On Saturday, Mitchell will return to Houston to make his debut with… the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra in “Ticket to Ride” at the Church of St. John the Divine.
Bear Witness to This Revamped ‘Peter and the Wolf’ | Houstonia
LAST YEAR’S ROCO PERFORMANCE OF PETER AND THE WOLF was such a hit at the Houston Zoo, the show is coming back—this time with a twist.
“There are no more wolves at the Zoo,” explains ROCO’s founder and artistic director Alecia Lawyer, “but there is a new black bear exhibit.”
COME, PLAY, HANG OUT: HOUSE CONCERTS TAKE HOLD IN TEXAS | Arts and Culture TX
Imagine listening to Liszt in your living room. Whether it’s Mozart or Brahms or more contemporary offerings, house concerts have become so popular in Texas that you can find one happening most weekends throughout the state.
Tonal Evolution: Great New Music That Makes Room for Tunes | San Francisco Classical Voice
Recordings of new music rooted in tradition that still is uncompromisingly contemporary — and sometimes unsettling. Debates about new music have always focused mainly on styles that have caught listeners off guard.
ROCO: Visions Take Flight | Textura
There’s one reason in particular why Visions Take Flight, the double-CD debut release by ROCO, the Houston-based River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, nabbed the number nine slot in textura’s 2018 list of top classical releases…it’s because when ROCO selected works to include on the release, the musicians selected their favourite pieces from the group’s repertoire and the five chosen from the then fifty-eight available (the total now seventy-five) constitute an incredible sampling of material by living American composers.
River Oaks CO downsizes for ambitious program with Crumb, world premiere | Texas Classical Review
Houston’s River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, unlike many larger ensembles, gives its musicians the opportunity to play chamber music.
Visions Take Flight: ROCO Impresses with Debut Album of New Music | I Care If You Listen
Visions Take Flight is the remarkably assured debut album by the Houston-based River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO), released in November 2018 on Innova Recordings.
12 Days of Classical Music Makes Houston’s Holiday Season Very Merry | Houston Press
The weather outside is frightful, but inside Houston’s concert halls it’s quite delightful. ‘Tis the season for holiday music and our classical line-up caters to every taste.
The Art of Living | Modern Luxury
Houston’s art scene has always been as exceptional as the ever-evolving city itself. And this year, girls rule. Here’s a look at some of the remarkable women who are painting our town beautiful.
ROCO connecting people with games, and music | Houston Chronicle
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra’s founder and artistic director Alecia Lawyer wants to challenge you to a game — specifically, a round of 42.
5 Questions to Alecia Lawyer (Founder & Principal Oboist, ROCO) | I Care If You Listen
Working to “shape the future of classical music by energizing, modernizing, and personalizing the concert experience,” the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) finds a unique niche within Houston’s vibrant cultural landscape. Founded in 2005, ROCO has consistently realized this vision by focusing on the development of collaborative, personal relationships with musicians, conductors, composers, local cultural institutions, and other community stakeholders.
