On a Tuesday night in early March, strains of Mozart drift through the Target wing of Memorial City Mall. It’s beautiful and dramatic and polished and being performed by the 55 middle and high school students that make up Virtuosi of Houston.
Virtuosi of Houston is a youth chamber orchestra comprised of members from over 32 middle and high schools across 12 school districts throughout the Greater Houston area. Chamber orchestras are designed to be small and selective, 40-60 musicians, lending themselves to play a repertoire of classics from composers like Mozart, Haydn and Schubert.
Founded in 1996 by Andrzej Grabiec and Franz Anton Krager, the orchestra started with just 20 students and a vision of providing a place where young musicians could find challenge and opportunity to grow and develop their talents.
Maestro Krager notes, “We designed the program for the excelled high school and middle school musician. There are no stragglers in this group; they all play at an accelerated level.” Due to the small nature of a chamber orchestra, every instrument is heard and every musician must command their music well or the audience will hear the missed notes.
The two co-founders and artistic co-directors are both professors at the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. Andrzej Grabiec is Professor of Violin and Anton Krager is Professor of Conducting, Director of Orchestras, and Chair of the Conducting Department.
Together, the two pour into and shape the music and the musicians that make up Virtuosi. During rehearsals, the students stop and start a piece at one maestro’s direction while the other works in the body of the orchestra advising, correcting, listening. When the maestro discusses a piece with the students, he doesn’t just tell them which note to play and how, he builds a foundation for thought, appreciation and discernment about music, composers and performance.
The music starts and stops with the conductor’s baton, peppered with comments like, “When you’re playing Mozart, you have to have energy!”, “I could use some more breath in the first two whole notes.",“The sound of this many people playing controlled, you can’t beat it.”
The students rehearse twice a week for five weeks leading up to the concert. Rehearsals are open to the public and an absolute delight to watch. The rehearsal schedule is posted online.
Zarine Boyce has been pro bono President and CEO of Virtuosi since 2000. Over the past 16 years, she has witnessed the talent come through each season and notes that it’s more than just solid technique, “When these young children play, they’re playing because they love it; they’re playing because they care.” Virtuosi has been in its present location in Memorial City Mall for the last 11 years. Boyce states, “We are very grateful to the management of Memorial City Mall and to MetroNational for providing us this space.”
Each year, around 200 students audition for Grabiec and Krager, including all current members auditioning to retain their positions. The only restrictions on acceptance are talent. There is tuition for the season associated with joining the orchestra, but funds have always been made available to cover any cost for students needing financial assistance.
Throughout each season, Virtuosi performs four to six full chamber orchestras. This year, as a part of the new Virtuosi Around the Globe program, 38 students went to England over spring break where they performed a concert at Chichester Cathedral, side-by-side with the University of Chichester Music School musicians.
Virtuosi has numerous programs that go beyond the scope of chamber performances. The small ensembles perform at over 80 small events each year, where students play events hosted by private and corporate partners. About 50% of the small ensemble performances are pro bono, and community organizations like Texas Children’s Hospital and the Senior Citizen homes, benefit from the performances. Boyce notes that many are opportunities within the community where classical music wouldn’t normally be heard. A small ensemble can be one performer to fourteen, whatever the host requests.
Virtuosi hosts workshops and master classes. There is also a concerto competition held early each year where each of five winners from string and wind instruments receives prize money to enhance their music career at a total of $10,250.00.
Starting in 2017, Virtuosi began its Touch of Music program where trios and quartets go into HISD schools to perform and share an instrument petting zoo. They present some history on the music played and provided complementary tickets to students for their March concert.
Also new this year is the Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble led by Noe Marmolejo, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles, Moores School of Music. And in January, 13 members went to Washington D.C., underwritten by a board member, to play at several inauguration events hosted for Texas politicians, senators and congressmen (see picture above).
All these experiences serve to strengthen, build and fine-tune both the musician and the student. Violinist, Leilani Lawson notes, “Virtuosi has taught me to be a better musician but also a better person, to be surrounded by all these amazing people.”
Other students echoed the same sentiments: that the motivation, challenges, friendships and lessons they have learned as a part of Virtuosi are something they could get nowhere else. They are kids who are passionate about music and have found a community among others who understand that passion, who are driven to master their instrument, who are respected and treated as professionals and in turn perform like professionals.
Mrs. Boyce points out that “Ninety-five percent pursue a career in music; 100% go to college.” Now in its 21st year, Virtuosi alumni are found playing with the National Orchestra in Washington D.C., as first cello of the Berlin Opera Orchestra, as principal flautist of the Luxembourg Chamber Orchestra, and that is to name just a few. Others are professors and teachers, private musicians and ensemble players.
Isabel Efird, mother of violinist Jordan, says “They’re kids, they cut up. But put an instrument in their hands and they’re professionals. Then they go back to being kids again.”
For more information on Virtuosi and rehearsal and concert schedules visit http://virtuosiofhouston.org/.
If you’re looking for a race that’s a little different, look no further than the Green6.2 eco-friendly 5k and 10k on Saturday, April 15, 2017.
The race kicks off at 7:45am and winds through the neighborhoods surrounding CityCentre, finishing with a fantastic post-race party and kids K race.
Brian Jones, who started the Green6.2 event with Graham Schooley, his partner at RA Sports Management, says “Our focus is our sustainability and environmental awareness. We’re really amazed at the amount of participation. Not the number of people who were there, but the amount of people who were interested in what we were doing. People asking, ‘What else can we do?’”
The Green6.2 team follows practices outlined by the Council for Responsible Sport. They strive for zero waste, providing compost and recycling bins at the event; they ask all vendors and sponsors utilize environmentally conscious materials. With paperless registration and virtual race bags, they eliminate much paper waste, and compostable cups at the water station further reduce trash.
In its 8th year, the Green6.2 is the race hosted the longest at CityCentre. Jones says that while the environmental awareness is a huge aspect of the race’s popularity, “The course is amazing. And it’s just a great family event with the after party, the DJ out on the plaza, people just hanging out. The venue is great.” To register for the race visit www.green62.com.
Can’t make it out on April 15? Sign up for a virtual race. Walk or run your own 5K or 10K, submit proof of completion, and receive all the great swag race attendees collect the day of including a shirt, medal, bib and certificate of completion. This is the first year a virtual Green6.2 is being offered.
Come and learn how to start your engineering degree locally! Aggies enrolled in the Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academy at Houston Community College spend their first two years at the HCC Spring Branch campus where Texas A&M faculty teach the engineering courses and HCC faculty teach the core curriculum courses. This means you can save up to $15,000 before transitioning to College Station to complete your degree.
Wednesday, March 29, 6:30-8 p.m.
The Eagle Room
HCC - Spring Branch Campus
1010 West Sam Houston Pkwy N
Houston, TX 77043
RSVP by March 27 at tx.ag/TEHSisMar17
Wednesday, April 12, 6:30-8 p.m.
The Eagle Room
HCC - Spring Branch Campus
1010 West Sam Houston Pkwy N
Houston, TX 77043
RSVP by April 10 at tx.ag/TEHSisApr17
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Sherin Isaac, Senior Advisor
sherin.isaac@hccs.edu
Jon Buchanan ’99, Associate Director of Engineering Academies
jon.buchanan@tamu.edu
A candidate forum for two positions on the Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees will be held at 7 p.m. on March 30 in the Bunker Hill H-E-B Community Room.
Trustee positions for the upcoming election are Position 1, currently held by incumbent Josef D. Klam, and Position 2, which is held by incumbent Chris Gonzalez.
Klam, 43, is a pastor and is unopposed for Position 1. Klam was appointed to the seat in June of last year after the resignation of Wayne Schaper Sr.
Gonzalez, 41, who lists her occupation as director, will face Mary Curry Mettenbrink, 37, a non-profit executive, for Position 2. Gonzalez was appointed in 2011 after the resignation of Mary Grace Landrum and has twice been elected to the seat.
The League of Women Voters will moderate the forum, which is sponsored by the Spring Branch ISD Council of PTAs.
The Bunker Hill H-E-B is at 9710 Katy Freeway. The Community Room entrance is at the front of the building, facing the parking lot.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day, Saturday, May 6. Voters cast ballots at their zoned middle school.
Early voting will open on April 24 and run through May 2.
HOUSTON, TX – March 16, 2016 – CITYCENTRE, one of Houston’s most popular shopping, dining and entertainment districts, is implementing new parking options and convenience technology to streamline the search for a parking space and provide tailor made solutions based on guest needs.
According to Suzanne Weatherall, Vice President, Asset Management of Midway, “In a car-centric city of Houston’s size, popular urban destinations encounter parking congestion, and property owners are finding new ways to reengineer the traditional parking garage. Our goal is to provide as many options as possible to expedite the experience for those on the go.”
Earlier this month, CITYCENTRE added fast track premium parking to the first floor of the garages, priced at $1.50 per half hour with a maximum, all-day fee of $15. Street level, self-pay kiosks are located at the entry points to the district. Parking on all additional floors remains free of charge 24/7 and will be upgraded with an electronic guidance system. Slated to debut in April, the guidance system has been designed to provide real-time space availability on each floor, as well as LED ceiling lighting to identify open spots ahead.
Weatherall adds that the City of Houston is also in the midst of a multimillion-dollar project through TIRZ17 to extend Town & Country Way and provide improved mobility through intersection relief, especially in high water. The initiative will add a single lane roundabout at the intersection of Town & Country Way and Town & Country Boulevard to improve circulation and the connectivity to I-10 and Beltway 8. Additional components include inline detention in the oversized subsurface boxes under the pavement, as well as enhanced landscaping and streetscape amenities.
Along with paid and free options in garages, district-wide valet is serviced at five different stands with drop off and pick up options on Queensbury Lane, Sorella Court and Town & Country Blvd. The flat fee is $8 per car. Parking at the CITYCENTRE FIVE office tower on Town & Country Way is pay-to-park on all levels and priced at $1 per half hour weekdays with a maximum of $7; a $7 flat rate applies to weeknights after 5 PM and weekends. Store-front metered parking is $2.50 per half hour with a portion of proceeds benefitting Memorial Assistance Ministries.
MONDAY, MARCH 13 - SATURDAY, MARCH 18
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm @ The Square at Memorial City
Enjoy free activities every day during Spring Break.
Monday, March 13, 7-9pm
Spring Break Escape: Cirque La Vie
Catch a beautiful dynamic performance by contemporary circus troupe Cirque La Vie on The Square.
Tuesday, March 14, 7-9pm
Spring Break Escape: The Secret Life of Pets
Bring your blanket to watch The Secret Life of Pets on The Square BIG screen TV. Complimentary popcorn will be served.
Wednesday, March 15, 7-9pm
Spring Break Escape: Finding Dory
Bring your blanket to watch Finding Dory on The Square BIG screen TV. Complimentary popcorn will be served.
Thursday, March 16, 7-9pm
Spring Break Escape: Moana
Bring your blanket to watch Moana on The Square BIG screen TV. Complimentary popcorn will be served.
Friday, March 17, 6-9pm
Spring Break Escape: Shamrock at The Square
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at The Square with the whole family! Featuring live rock and roll music by The Fuse, green beer and cocktails for purchase, and giant games on the green!
Saturday, March 18, 6-9pm
The Square Live! Louis Adam Diaz
Rodeo night featuring live music by Louis Adam Diaz, dancing, giant games and fun for the whole family.
Spring Branch ISD Superintendent of Schools Scott R. Muri, Ed.D., was named as the sole recipient of a high national recognition, the 2017 Communication Technology Award for Superintendents, by a leading group of communications and public relations professionals and a partnering education technology services firm.
The annual Communication Technology Award for Superintendents recognizes an education leader working in a K-12 system, or in a closely related function, who is “redefining, upgrading and integrating cutting-edge community technology to improve and expand outreach and engagements with education stakeholders – both internal and external.”
“From his first week on the job as superintendent of Houston’s Spring Branch ISD,” his winning nomination states, “Dr. Scott Muri revealed himself to be a strong, collaborative partner whose creativity and avid belief in technology as a tool to engage and reach stakeholders created excitement among the Community Relations team that communication was going to be a true priority.”
The Memorial District congratulates Dr. Muri on this award.
BBVA has partenered with Houston B-Cycle to offer free 24-hour membership. With this beautiful spring weather, don't pass up the chance to cruise the district on one of the bike share bikes stationed outside of Pearl CityCentre. Share a photo of your ride using #WeAreMobile for a chance to win prizes!
Spring has sprung in Houston and that means it's Rodeo time! The month-long festivities kick off this Friday with Go Texan Day. If you're out an about in the Memorial District you might catch sight of one of trail rides making its way down I-10 to Memorial Park. Trail rides are coming into the city from all directions Friday morning, but the Valley Lodge Trail Ride Association will be traveling right through the Memorial District as they make the final leg of their journey in from Brookshire, west of Katy. The ride will stop just east of Bunker HIll for their lunch break just after noon.
Established in 1959, the Valley Lodge Trail Ride Association, led by Trail Boss Wheat McKinney, travels 71.5 miles with 150 riders and 9 wagons. They will camp Friday night in Memorial Park with the 12 other trail ride groups and help kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Saturday morning with the annual Downtown Rodeo Parade that follows the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run. For parade route and parking information visit http://www.rodeohouston.com/Visit-the-Show/Pre-Show-Events/Parade.
Moms, want to enjoy this beaufitufl spring weather and get some exercise too?
Come to the Square this Friday, March 3 at 9:30am for a free Stroller Fit CLass with Baby Boot Camp!
Don’t miss the revelry of Mardi Gras at The Square on Fat Tuesday, February 29 at 6pm!
Bring your dancing shoes for live music by Marcus Ardoin and the Zydeco Lengendz; your appetite for flavorful gumbo by State Fare Kitchen & Bar; and your friends for New Orleans flavored cocktails and cold beer. Complimentary Mardi Gras beads will be handed out.
Join CycleBar and Go Red For Women for a 50 minute, high-energy indoor cycling ride in front of the Memorial City Macy’s this Saturday, February 25 from 2pm. Help encourage women and their families to take action and live a healthier life. Macy’s grab bags will be provided for all participants. Click the here to register to ride at 2pm, 3pm or 4pm.