25th Annual Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival: Young Artist Series - High School Piano Institute Recitals

Founded in 1990, the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival (TMF) marks its 25th anniversary season June 2-28, 2014, with performances by outstanding student musicians, distinguished conductors and faculty artists from all over the world.

Based at the University of Houston (UH) Moores School of Music, the one-month international music residency program will include such guest luminaries as violinist Leon Spierer and his son, conductor Carlos Spierer; the Houston debut of “Time for Three,” the world’s first classical music garage band, with drummer Matt Scarano; conductors Daniel Hege and Mei-Ann Chen; and the Houston Symphony Chorus.

“We’re dedicating our 25 anniversary season to the memory of David Tomatz, our co-founding director, who passed away this past January.  “David has left an everlasting impression on the Texas Music Festival through his visionary leadership. The TMF Orchestra will perform Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ as a tribute to him, as we celebrate our 25th birthday,” said Alan Austin, TMF General and Artistic Director and a TMF participant in the Festival’s inaugural year.

TMF has become Houston’s largest classical music presenter in the month of June with nearly 30 performances, many free or at a nominal cost.  Most concerts are indoors on the UH campus (Moores Opera House and Dudley Recital Hall) and parking is free.

Young Artist Series
Festival participants have a chance to shine in this FREE Houston summer concert series.

Le Chiavi: The Keys to Bel Canto
Vocal Institute Final Concert
Friday, June 6, 2014, Dudley Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. (FREE)
Joseph Evans and Melanie Sonnenberg, directors
Advanced young artists use the Keys of Bel Canto to unlock the secrets of music by some of opera’s greatest composers.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist Competition Final Round
Sunday, June 8, 2014, Dudley Recital Hall, 2 p.m. (FREE)
Final competition round featuring solo performances by Festival Orchestra musicians. Come and vote for your favorite performer to receive the Audience Favorite Award!

Young Artist Chamber Music Concerts
Thursday, June 19, 2014, Dudley Recital Hall, 7 p.m. (FREE)
Small ensemble performances by Orchestra Fellows.

Thursday, June 26, 2014, Dudley Recital Hall, 7 p.m. (FREE)
Small ensemble performances by Orchestra Fellows.

Friday, June 27, 2014, MSM Room 160, 7 p.m. (FREE)
Small ensemble performances by Orchestra Fellows.

High School Piano Institute Recitals
Saturday, June 21, 2014, Dudley Recital Hall, 10 a.m. (FREE)
Nancy Weems, director
Gifted high school pianists perform ensemble works.

Sunday, June 22, 2014, Moores Opera House, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (FREE)
Nancy Weems, director
Recitals by gifted high school pianists.

High School Jazz Institute Final Concert
Friday, June 27, 2014, Moores Opera House, 7 p.m. (FREE)
Noe Marmolejo, director
Talented high school and college jazz musicians perform classical to contemporary repertoire in a big band setting.

Franz Anton Krager, UH Professor and Conductor of the Grand Celebratory Opening concert, describes the festival as a gift to classical music lovers in Houston, “The final product can be stunning, because while the students may lack years of professional experience, they meet each challenge with youthful enthusiasm and sheer determination.  The audience can feel their triumph as they master these difficult works.”

TMF  is  supported, in part, through  the  generosity  of  the  Immanuel  and  Helen  Olshan Foundation, created by two Houstonians who loved attending summer music gatherings in Colorado and New England.  Houston’s Texas Music Festival is considered on par with renowned festivals such as Aspen or Tanglewoood.

All faculty, guest artist, and conductor biographies and photos may be found at http://www.tmf.uh.edu.     

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