Transforming Today's World Magazine - JAN 2014 Special Edition Vol 5 Issue 3 | Page 21

“What an exciting moment in my life as a
conductor and musician to be joining the Houston
Symphony family as its next music director,” said
Orozco-Estrada. “I feel such a strong connection
with the musicians and know that our relationship
will be a very special one that produces beautiful
and memorable performances for our audience.
My focus will be on creating exceptional music,
exciting and engaging as much of the community
as possible, and raising the visibility and profile of
the Houston Symphony throughout Houston and
the world.”

The selection caps a three-year pursuit led by
a 12-member search committee comprised of
Houston Symphony musicians, board members
and staff. “We spoke with many members of the
Symphony family and Houston community about
the qualities a music director should have,” said
Justice Brett Busby, chair of the search committee
and vice president of Artistic Affairs for the
Houston Symphony Board of Trustees. “The
committee’s hard work confirmed that Andrés
brings a special combination of talents that is an
excellent fit for us.”

As the Houston Symphony’s Music Director
Designate in 2013-14, the Symphony’s Centennial,
Orozco-Estrada will conduct 13 concerts during
four weekends: October 17-20, 2013; January 3-5,
2014; January 9-12, 2014; and April 17-19, 2014.
During his five-year contract as Music Director,
extending from the 2014-15 season through the
2018-19 season, he will be on the podium 12 weeks
each season, conducting a variety of classical
subscription concerts at various locations: Jones
Hall; free community performances, including
regional concerts in Sugar Land and at the Cynthia
Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands; the
annual Opening Night Gala, and other special
concerts. He will also play key roles in long-range
and season planning, fundraising, and community
engagement activities, while also overseeing
musician personnel decisions.

The musicians were leading partners during the
search, providing valuable feedback on every
guest conductor. Orozco-Estrada only recently
debuted with the Houston Symphony in October
2012, but the connection with the orchestra and
audience was immediate. “The chemistry between
Andrés and the musicians was off the charts,” said
Busby. “Following his debut with us in October, Orozco-Estrada will become the 16th music
the orchestra asked that we immediately bring him director in the Houston Symphony’s near 100-year
back to further test the compatibility.”
history. His predecessors include such notables as
Leopold Stokowski (1955-61), Sir John Barbirolli
“I immediately felt a striking and energizing (1961-67), Sir André Previn (1967-69), Lawrence
chemistry between Andrés and the orchestra,” said Foster (1971-78), Sergiu Comissiona (1979-88),
Principal Second Violin Jennifer Owen. “There Christoph Eschenbach (1988-99) and Graf, whose
was an overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic twelve-year tenure (2001-2013) makes him the
response from the musicians during his first week longest serving music director in the orchestra’s
with us, and the musicians were more excited history.
following our second encounter with him. We are
looking forward to some thrilling performances Welcome Maestro Orozco-Estrada! Houston
for the orchestra and audience alike in the years looks forward to a long and rewarding career for
ahead!”
one of the greatest symphonies in the world, led
by one of the greatest conductors in the world!
Orozco-Estrada’s appointment comes at a Bravo!
uniquely exciting time for the Houston Symphony.
Current Music Director Hans Graf will relinquish Orozco-Estrada is represented by IMG Artists.
the post in May following twelve successful
years that included several high-profile Carnegie For tickets and more information, please visit
Hall performances, acclaimed recordings and www.houstonsymphony.org or call
international tours to the United Kingdom and 713-224-7575
Moscow. After his farewell, Graf will continue

“During our search process, the Houston
Symphony has had the privilege of working
with many, very talented conductors,” said the
Symphony’s Executive Director and CEO Mark
C. Hanson. “What immediately stood out about
Andrés was his ability to inspire the orchestra to
play at their absolute best. He will bring incredible
energy, exemplary conducting technique, deep
musical knowledge, exceptional communication
skills, youthful exuberance and a strong
commitment to broadening our audience base.”

as Conductor Laureate of the Houston Symphony
during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. On
February 6, the Symphony will announce its full
Centennial Season lineup of concerts, community
programs, and special events that began on June 1
and continues through May 31, 2014.
“We have found a rising conducting superstar, and
I am so proud of the search committee and the full
orchestra who worked collaboratively throughout
this very important process,” said Symphony
Board President Robert A. Peiser. “Andrés is an
exceptional musician who will excite our diverse
community about live symphonic music and
help expand our already substantial community
programs.
Building upon the tremendous
accomplishments of Music Director Hans Graf, he
will lead the Houston Symphony into its second
century و