ROCO Launches its 21st Season with “Feels Like Home,” featuring 3 world premiere commissions and a symphony rediscovered

HOUSTON, TX –  ROCO returns this fall in full force to kick off its 21st season, The Season of the Senses. With new sounds to be heard, felt, seen, and savored, the 40-piece chamber orchestra opens the season with ROCO In Concert: Feels Like Home–a back-to-back concert weekend led by Artistic Partner Delyana Lazarova. With three commissioned world premieres and a powerful symphony rediscovered, the weekend will set the tone for a season driven by human connections and bold discovery. 

The performances occur on Friday, September 26, 7:30 p.m., at Miller Outdoor Theatre and Saturday, September 27, 5:00 p.m.,  at The Church of St. John the Divine. These mark the first of five concerts in ROCO’s Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation In Concert Series, all featuring female guest concertmasters. Margaret Batjer (Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra) makes her ROCO debut as concertmaster for the opening weekend. 

Season 21 Composer-In-Residence Kevin Lau writes a clarinet concertino especially for ROCO Principal Clarinetist and soloist Nathan Williams, titled At the Still Point of the Turning World. Reflecting on the natural arc of life, the piece is inspired by  Williams’ work in hospice and palliative care communities as ROCO’s first Musicians with a Mission Manager. In what promises to be a deeply personal performance, audiences will experience a sonic etching of Williams’ passion for connecting through music.

Pulling listeners into a world of emotional undercurrents, GRAMMY-winning composer Starr Parodi’s Rip Tide is a sweeping, newly commissioned premiere shaped by her lived experience. Drawing from personal moments of resilience and surrender, Parodi explores the flow of a physical rip tide. She has also had to find ways to continue to thrive due to her family losing their home and her Steinway pianos in the Palisades fires.

Adding to the program’s uplifting spirit is an endearing commission by Heather Schmidt, inspired by the real stories of adopted huskies and her work founding the Los Angeles-based rehoming organization, Hollywood Huskies. In this heartfelt tribute to her canine companions, Schmidt explores musical ideas such as the quiet strength and depth of love found in second chances. ROCO will be highlighting local shelters and rescue organizations for this concert.

Keeping in line with the spirit of ROCO, the work of pioneering yet little-known composer and Beethoven contemporary, Emilie Mayer, is brought to light in a performance of her Symphony No. 4 in B minor. Threading the needle between musical eras, the piece embodies a surging storm of momentum that carries into the present, where voices that were once suppressed now ring with unapologetic clarity.

Immediately following Saturday’s performance, the excitement only escalates at ARTECHOUSE Houston, where ROCO’s annual season-opening festivities have been completely revamped as The Season of the Senses Soirée. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, guests will be free to explore immersive spaces powered by cutting-edge digital technology and imaginative artistry–all while enjoying aromatic cocktails, catered dining, and musical activities to create a truly multisensory experience. Guests are invited to find musicians from all four instrument groupings – winds, brass, strings, and percussion – for a chance to strike the tam-tam (…it’s a gong!)

Also joining patrons and artists at the soirée is this year’s ROCO Wildcatting in the Arts Awardee, rock legend Steve Vai. Known for his versatility and his wide-reaching influence on the music industry, the guitar virtuoso and classically trained composer is recognized for an impressive career shaping the sounds of modern rock and pushing the boundaries of instrumental performance, as well as his efforts toward music education for aspiring artists. Tables are available now for the Soirée, and individual tickets will be available starting August 1st.  

Returning for opening weekend is ROCOrooters. ROCO’s unique music education and childcare program is designed to stimulate young minds and allow parents to enjoy a night out. Offering a wonderful music lesson, a trip into the concert hall to hear one piece on the program, and up to 5 hours of supervision by certified childcare professionals at an affordable rate, caregivers need look no further for a memorable, multi-generational musical evening. For this particular concert, Artistic Director Alecia Lawyer has chosen the delightful new work by Schmidt about husky rescues for the ROCOrooter’s kids to hear live.

Admission to Friday’s concert at Miller Outdoor Theater is free, with reserved seating available September 25 on Miller Outdoor Theatre’s official website, and a free livestream at the Miller Dream Streams page. Pay What You Wish tickets are available now for Saturday’s performance at The Church of St. John the Divine on the ROCO official event page, with a free livestream at roco.org/live, YouTube, and Facebook, and on the ROCO mobile app.