THE MAJESTIC ORCHESTRAL SCORE OF STAR WARS TO TAKE OVER JONES HALL IN FAMILY CONCERT
Music of legendary film composer John Williams to be featured in Star Wars and More
Pasadena-area high school marching band to make its debut with the Houston Symphony
HOUSTON (February 19, 2015) – Houston Symphony Associate Conductor Robert Franz leads the Houston Symphony in Star Wars and More, a family concert that will take audiences through the intergalactic music of the Star Wars film series, composed by five-time Academy-Award winner John Williams.
Williams’ striking orchestral compositions for this film are among the most recognizable in the film music history, from the recurring musical theme “Imperial March” that first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back film, to “Battle of the Heroes” fromRevenge of the Sith.
The family concert – which will take place on Saturday, March 6 – also features Tchaikovsky’s epic 1812 Overture and “Appian Way” from Respighi’s Pines of Rome. Franz and the Houston Symphony will share the stage with members of the Dobie High School Marching Band in their Houston Symphony debut.
The Family Concert Experience
The family concert experience includes lobby activities including the Instrument Petting Zoo, arts and crafts, and young musician performances. The 50-minute concerts are held on Saturday mornings with two start times, 10am and 11:30am. Lobby activities take place prior to the 10am performance and immediately following the 11:30am performance.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit houstonsymphony.org or call the Houston Symphony Patron Services Center at (713) 224-7575, Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Star Wars and More
Saturday, March 7, 2015, 10:00am and 11:30am
Robert Franz, conductor
Dobie High School Marching Band
Tickets from $19
Jones Hall
615 Louisiana St.
Houston, TX 77002
About Robert Franz
As Associate Conductor of the Houston Symphony and Music Director of the Boise Philharmonic, Windsor Symphony Orchestra and the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Robert Franz is acclaimed by critics and composers.In increasing demand as a guest conductor, Robert debuted with the Phoenix Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra and the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina last season.
In Houston, he leads the Symphony in educational and family concerts. His work with students has led to a continuing relationship with Radio Disney. Last season, Robert conducted the orchestra’s 100th anniversary concert; led a family series concert with the Houston Grand Opera, Theater Under the Stars and the Alley Theatre; partnered in a concert for the Anti-Defamation League; and was on the podium for a side-by-side performance of Tchaikovsky’s 6th with the Houston Youth Symphony totaling 150 musicians.
ASCAP has recognized Robert for his advocacy in arts education. Under his direction, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (2008) and the Louisville Orchestra (2001) were awarded the Leonard Bernstein Award for Educational Programming. He has addressed the Idaho Legislature on the importance of music in education and authored his first children’s book with a CD, Stella’s Magical Musical Tour of America. He received a master’s degree in conducting and a bachelor’s degree in oboe performance from the North Carolina School of the Arts.
About Houston Symphony
During the 2014-15 season, the Houston Symphony enters its second century as one of America’s leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. This season also marks the inaugural year for new Music Director Andrés Orozco- Estrada. The Houston Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas whose inaugural performance was held at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston on June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $29 million, the full-time ensemble of 87 professional musicians is the largest performing arts organization in Houston, presenting more than 286 performances for 300,000 people, including 82,000 children, annually. For tickets and more information, please visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call (713) 224-7575.
