More Than an Orchestra:
Extraordinary Musical Education
Virtuosi of Houston is a program unlike any other fine arts program for young musicians in the country. A 501(c) 3 organization, Virtuosi was formed in 1996 to increase education and performance opportunities leading to a music profession for Houston’s exceptionally gifted middle to high school age musicians and to bring an expanded repertoire of chamber works to Houston audiences. The chamber group is smaller (55) than a typical symphony orchestra, allowing these exceptional musicians to experience increased confidence, leadership, responsibility and skill through individual attention from two world-class conductors. Leadership is provided by Franz Anton Krager, Professor of Conducting and Director of Orchestras, and Andrzej Grabiec, Professor of Violin, both faculty members at the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, and artistic directors and conductors of the Virtuosi of Houston.
Virtuosi of Houston gives students the foundation and skills they need for their future in a career in music. Our vision is that someday they will return to Texas as performers, educators, and arts advocates to give their expertise back to the community that helped develop them as young artists. Virtuosi of Houston graduates attend many of the leading music schools and conservatories in the United States. View the season's events
Auditions
Auditions for the Orchestra are being held on Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 4 pm to 9 pm, Friday August 22, 2008 from 4 pm to 8 pm, Saturday, August 23, 2008 from 9 am to 5 pm. We are inviting serious musicians to audition for this high level Chamber Orchestra. Read more...
Season Events
A typical Virtuosi of Houston season includes three concert performances (one in the fall, one in spring and one at the end of the season in May. Virtuosi of Houston sponsors an Annual Concerto Competition. Scholarships, totaling $10,500.00 (we do not divide the money if there are two winners in the same category we give each one the full amount) are awarded to the winners of the competition. Scholarship awards can only be applied to private lesson costs, instrument purchases, summer music camp expenses, and college or music school tuition. Virtuosi of Houston can also provide financial assistance for students of Virtuosi of Houston if they meet the Virtuosi of Houston Board of Directors financial assistance means based program criteria.
Virtuosi of Houston is proud of its young musicians and strives to give them the recognition that they deserve. Our performances are at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall, and our annual fundraising Gala concert and dinner at a prestigious Houston Hotel. The programs are professionally designed, printed and include a detailed picture biography of each student member.
The Virtuosi of Houston rehearse 5 weeks prior to each performance on Tuesdays and Thursdays in our Studio from 6:30 to 9:30 with a 20-minute break for supper, which is provided. There are a total of 30 rehearsals in the season over 15 weeks. We work on the theory that absorbing instruction in an intense, short period of time produces an end product that is excellent. Our Season therefore is relatively short in the hours expended in rehearsals but with intense instruction and as the orchestra has two conductors, both professors at a major university school of music the musical education standard is very high. While one is conducting, the other is observing, correcting playing and performance techniques e.g. fingering etc.
Thirteenth Season
Virtuosi of Houston began its thirteenth season this fall. We are the only youth chamber orchestra in Houston. The rehearsals do not conflict with other youth orchestras. Several young musicians of Virtuosi of Houston also participate in other music groups in Houston. The Founding Artistic Directors and Conductors of the Virtuosi of Houston Andrzej Grabiec and Franz Krager, both faculty members at University of Houston, Moores School of Music guide and plan the program of the orchestra and conduct the rehearsals. The young musicians have the advantage of studying with two professors of music who have the acumen of many years of music education between them.
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