Upcoming Events
Travel Postcards: Pictures at an Exhibition
The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra travels through northern and eastern Europe in “Travel Postcards: Pictures at an Exhibition.” The performance is on May 11, 7:30 pm, at Clements High School.
The concert begins with Rimsky-Korsakov's Fantasia on Serbian Themes, Op. 6, a delightful work focusing on Serbian melodies created by nationalist composer Mily Balakirev. Rimsky-Korsakov wrote the work quickly, and it was reviewed by Tchaikovsky in 1868.
The travel continues with Borodin’s charming and atmospheric “In the Steppes of Central Asia.” Written in 1880, this musical tableau depicts Central Asian residents caravaning across the desert under the protection of Russian troops. The Russian and the Asian themes intermingle, giving way to the Russian theme as the melodies depart.
Also on the concert are the rarely heard but wonderful Swedish Dances by Max Bruch. There are versions for violin and piano (first version), piano four-hands, military band, and full orchestra. The symphonic orchestra versions are full of life and vivacity.
The concert's showstopper is Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. Originally a piano suite in 10 movements, it was written in 1874. It depicts a musical tour of an exhibition of works by architect and painter Viktor Hartmann, which was put on at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg following the artist’s sudden death in the previous year. Each movement of the suite is based on an individual work, some of which are lost. Ravel’s 1922 orchestration and arrangement is the most widely known adaptation and the one that the orchestra will be performing. Vivid portraits of each artwork make the piece come to life in the concert hall. Various solos of unique instruments, such as the alto saxophone and the Euphonium, charm the ear with sounds not heard in the symphonic concert hall.
Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant! Children's Concert
This year’s children’s concert features a bestiary of imagined animals and a sing along adventure! Hear how music illustrates the world around us, and explore fanciful delights of the symphony orchestra.
The first work on the concert is Behold the Bold Umprellaphant! by Lucas Richman. It turns 17 poems by Children’s Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky, into a Carnival of the Animals for the new millennium. Prelutsky’s fanciful creatures, such as Pop-up Toadster, Tubaboon, Clocktopus, or Hatchicken are dynamically brought to life in lush symphonic glory. The narrator intones Prelutsky’s poetry and brings you along on a mixed-up animal adventure!
The second work on the program is a story in symphonic form that needs you to sing along! The Itsy Bitsy Spider and His Great Singalong Adventure, composed by William White, follows everyone’s favorite spider on an adventure through folktales and fairy tales. Meet the Three Blind Mice and Mary and her Little Lamb while singing along with the audience.
After the concert, join FBSO players as they invite the audience to touch, feel, and play their instruments at the instrument petting zoo. See if you can make a sound like one of the fantastical animals in the concert!
This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the Texas Music Office, Office of the Governor, and Ecolab.
An Afternoon of Romance
Join FBSO for An Afternoon of Romance – a concert full of the most romantic music on the planet. Hear enthralling works such as the iconic Romeo and Juliette Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky, the sensuous Intermezzo from the opera Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni, and Hanson’s towering Symphony No. 2, the “Romantic.” The winner of the 2024 Marielle Ogletree Young Artist Concerto Competition will also perform their winning concerto movement of the concert.
Marielle Ogletree Young Artist Concerto Competition
Calling all young musical prodigies! The Marielle Ogletree Young Artist Concerto Competition is back, giving talented musicians under 18 a chance to shine. Compete for the opportunity to perform a movement of an orchestral concerto with our esteemed orchestra during this season's concert.
Sign-ups are open now on the Registration Page. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to showcase your skills. Contestants must sign up by December 24th, 11:59 pm to secure their spot in the competition.
Whether you're a violin virtuoso, a piano prodigy, or a talented cellist, this is your chance to take center stage and leave the audience in awe with your musical prowess. So get ready to audition for a spot alongside our accomplished orchestra and make your dreams come true.
Don't miss your chance to shine! Sign up for the Marielle Ogletree Young Artist Concerto Competition and take your musical journey to new heights.
Deck the Halls
Get into the holiday spirit with the Deck the Halls holiday concert by the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on December 3, 2023, at 2 pm at the Stafford Centre. Join us for an enchanting evening of timeless tunes and new classics!
The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra Chorus will be joining the orchestra to create a magical musical experience like no other. Prepare to be captivated by a repertoire that includes John William's "Three Holiday Songs from Home Alone," Alan Menkin's heartwarming "God Bless Us Everyone," Jerry Bock's delightful "Twelve Days Till Christmas," Robert Wendel's enchanting "A Channukah Overture," and more. And of course, we won't forget the beloved Leroy Anderson's iconic "Sleigh Ride."
But that's not all! We are thrilled to announce that the 2023 Marielle Ogletree Young Artist Concerto Competition winner, Mani Hourfar, will grace the stage and perform the first movement of Brahms' First Piano Concerto with the orchestra. Prepare to be mesmerized by the talent and skill of this exceptional young musician.
Adding to the excitement of the evening, we will also showcase the Junior and Senior Houston Music Teachers Association 2023 Concerto Winners, Shangen Zou and Fu Chen. These talented performers will leave you in awe with their masterful renditions.
Don't miss out on this extraordinary holiday concert that will fill your heart with joy and holiday cheer. Join us at the venue on December 3 and immerse yourself in the magic of Deck the Halls. Get your tickets now and create lasting memories with friends and family.
Hauntcert
The spooky Hauntcert is back at Pearland Town Center! Wear your costume and grab some treats at surrounding businesses then listen to a Halloween-tastic concert from FBSO. The orchestra will be in costume!
Straight from the Soundtrack: Westerns
The beloved Straight from the Soundtrack movie music concert is back, this time focusing on Westerns. The 2 pm afternoon concert is on October 8, 2023, at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road, in Stafford.
The concert will feature the best known movie themes from great Westerns, such as Gunsmoke, Silverado, The Lone Ranger, The Wild, Wild, West, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and more. The Chorus joins the orchestra for themes such as The Alamo and Rawhide while singing two stand-alone works, The Yellow Rose of Texas and Ghost Riders in the Sky. A themed raffel will be held in the lobby during intermission. Join the orchestra in waering your cowboy hat to this rollickin’ good time.
Marielle Ogletree Young Artist Concerto Competition
Register now at the link below to audition for the Marille Ogletree Young Artist Concerto Competition!
Hauntcert
FBSO brings to life the Halloween season with the annual “Hauntcert.” Combining spooky costumes, frightening tunes, and all manner of activities, the Hauntcert is certain to please all little ghouls and goblins.
It’s an evening of tunes you know and love. The orchestra will be playing Disney Film Favorites, transporting you back to the classic animated films. Other well-known works include Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and the chillingly holiday-appropriate Thriller by Michael Jackson. ABBA’s Mamma Mia and Walter Murphy’s A Fifth of Beethoven bring some groove to the concert. Join in with the music-making with Leroy Anderson’s The Waltzing Cat, and guess the tunes with What’s Up at the Symphony. There is something for everyone at the “Hauntcert!”