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Music in the Air — This ROCO Gala Breaks New Ground in Virtual Fun | PaperCity Magazine

Media Features, September 28, 2020

A Most Original World Premiere

BY SHELBY HODGE // 09.28.20
ROCO rehearses at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands

ROCO rehearses at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands

 

Planning virtual fundraising events is no easy task and honestly not very promising on delivering interest. That said, meeting the challenge in style over the weekend was ROCO (previously known as River Oaks Chamber Orchestra) which aired its live performance from Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands. It was a first in many ways.

ROCO, which presents performances across the city in such diverse locations as Saint Arnold Brewery, Rienzi  and Holocaust Museum Houston, made its debut in the open-air pavilion. All 40 members of the orchestra participated in the prelude to the 16th season, which due to COVID-19 will be virtual.

Guests viewed the Revelry-themed evening from their homes while feasting on a scrumptious dinner courtesy of Berg Hospitality Group restaurants — Annie Cafè & Bar, B&B Butchers, B.B. Italia— with the menu created by renowned chef Robert Del Grande. Accompanying wine was procured through personal recommendation of Mike Muna and through Dionysus Imports. And top end donors received at-home decor from Swift + Company.

The concert featured the world premiere of Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst,Debussy’s Claire de Lune, and the overture to Fauré’s Masques et bergamasques. These were excerpts from the live streaming of the opening concert of the season, which followed on Saturday night.

“It was a critical element for us to incorporate live performance into the evening,” ROCO founder and artistic director Alecia Lawyer said. “Because we’ve been live streaming for years and recording since we started 15 years ago, it was the only way to invite our guests into what we truly do, making classical music fun, lively and completely accessible.”

Two super nova philanthropists in the city’s arts world, Kelley Lubanko and Leigh Smith, chaired the evening that saw participation by 250, many of whom joined together at various homes for viewing dinner parties. Taking bows as honorees were John Bradshaw, recognized for his role in advancing ROCO’s reputation as an elite arts organization, and retired Houston Ballet principal Lauren Anderson, who was presented the second annual Wildcatting in the Arts Award.

After the live stream, guests transitioned to virtual Zoom tables and were joined by ROCO musicians. The night concluded with a recorded performance of ROCO’s signature piece, the triumphant “Anthem of Hope” composed by Anthony DiLorenzo and commissioned by ROCO.

Among those dining out across the city and applauding ROCO musicians were Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Kelli and John Weinzierl, Susan Whitfield, Nancy Allen, Betty Hrncir, Julie and Stephen Chen, Cabrina and Stephen Owsley, Duyen and Marc Nguyen, Isla and Tommy Reckling, and Drew Helmer with Salil Deshpande.

5. Chris and Kristy Bradshaw ROCO virtual gala

Chris & Kristy Bradshaw

Duyen & Marc Nguyen

10. Ali and Frank Donnelly ROCO virtual gala

Ali and Frank Donnelly

ROCO virtual gala Kevin and Kate McGrory, Stephen and Julie Chen, Valerie Dietrich, Ting Bresnahan, Marian McCarty

Kevin and Kate McGrory, Stephen and Julie Chen, Valerie Dietrich, Ting Bresnahan, Marian McCarty

11. Shawn Stephens, Jim Jordan ROCO virtual gala

Shawn Stephens, Jim Jordan

12. Phoebe and Robert Tudor ROCO virtual gala

Phoebe and Robert Tudor

ROCO performing at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

ROCO performing at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

3. Kelley and Stephen Lubanko ROCO virtual gala

Kelley and Stephen Lubanko

2. Leigh and Reggie Smith ROCO virtual gala

Leigh and Reggie Smith

ROCO virtual gala Alicia and Lance Smith enjoying their fully virtual evening and food delivered by Berg Hospitality

Alicia and Lance Smith enjoying their fully virtual evening and food delivered by Berg Hospitality

ROCO performing at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, bandoneon soloist Richard Solist

ROCO performing at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Bandoneon soloist, Richard Scofano.

ROCO virtual gala Floral Decor delivered to Top Tables by Swift + Company

ROCO virtual gala Floral Decor delivered to Top Tables by Swift + Company

Source: Music in the Air — This ROCO Gala Breaks New Ground in Virtual Fun | PaperCity Magazine

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  • Meet
    • About ROCO
    • Artists
    • Board & Team
    • Newsroom
    • Press Kit
  • Livestream
  • Attend
    • Season Calendar
    • Performances
    • ROCOrooters
    • Season 18 Announced!
    • Accessibility
    • Pay What You Wish
  • Listen
    • Listening Room
    • ROCO on the Go
    • The Nightingale Book
    • Album
    • Video Library
    • Commissions, Premieres, Rescores, & Resources
  • Support
    • Ways to Support
    • ROCO Resound
    • ROCO Revelry Gala
    • Sponsors & Partners
    • Donate
  • Follow
    • Follow ROCO
    • ROCO Mobile App
  • Contact