ROCO’s Connections Series continued on February 10, 2024, as we celebrated collaboration in “Simple Gifts,” bringing us to a new location at Rothko Chapel!

Led by conductor Delyana Lazarova, Aaron Copland’s iconic tone poem Appalachian Spring, heard in its original 13-piece version, inspired the ROCO-commissioned world premiere of James Stephenson’s Persephone with solo dancer, with original choreography by Marlana Doyle, founder of Houston Contemporary Dance Company. Jennifer Higdon’s quintet Celestial Hymns, inspired by stained glass windows, rounded out the program, performed by Nathan Williams, clarinet; Scott St. John, violin; Matthew Dane, viola; Wilhelmina Smith, cello; and Audrey Andrist, piano.