Houston Symphony

Came to see the Mozart and Buckner on ⁴⁄₁₄ and Morrison. I enjoyed both shows special Morrison. The ushers are nice and helpful. The building is old and can use a renovation. I would also like to see some vegitarian options for dinner.

Better and better every year. I’ve been a subscriber for many years and I recommend the amazing subscription prices to everyone.

Wonderful program going on right now on Beethoven. The opening of «Music of Air and Fire» was amazing! Then into a piano piece that was riveting! Then the second half was Symphony No.3. Wow! We loved this entire program and their conductor Andres Orozco-​Estrada is sensational! Nice to see some young blood! Such a lovely afternoon spent with mom!

The performance we saw at Jones Hall was excellent. The variety of the program and the technicality of the pieces was impressive, we were engaged from start to finish. The conductor was a treat to watch. He was so animated and focused on the performance — it really helped to draw the audience in and help you understand each of the pieces.
The Symphony incorporated some unique things into their program, including a few video presentations and personal explanations of what the music was speaking to, something I’ve never seen in a Symphony performance before.
Definitely recommend and we are looking forward to going back.
Cheers!

I love the Houston Symphony! It’s perfect for an introvert like me who enjoys classical, wordless, music and fodder for pondering the intellectual intricacies of the world. Or, really, to just feel that for the next two hours I have no obligation to people, screens, or other cacophony. It’s just bliss.
I didn’t appreciate the symphony as a child, but the non-​verbal easement of the mind is something I find myself valuing as I age.
I have a subscription now and hope to renew next season as well. It’s great to have 4 – 6 concerts calendared that take precedence over any other noisy event.
Until next time…

Beautiful performances for the Very Merry Pops. Their rendition of The Grinch was simply outstanding.
Michael Krajewski, the principal Pops conductor has a warm and genial interaction with the audience and takes the snootiness out of the typical symphony performance.
My only complaint is that once you buy tickets online, be prepared to field tons of phone calls from donation seekers. I appreciate the fine arts and give as much as I can, but I do not appreciate the ongoing requests for donations. Their fundraising tactics need a makeover.

I can’t say much about the experience coming to see the phantom of the opera at the hobby center. It was just amazing and stunning to see such a show. Though it was my first time, I was impressed with everything …

We are blessed with some excellent performing arts in Houston. The symphony takes a back seat to none of them. This is truly a WORLD CLASS orchestra. Our young music director is energetic and fun-​loving, all of the principals are superb and the group as a whole plays with passion and verve. I especially enjoy seeing young people even at the «serious» programs. Even at 50 years old Jones Hall remains an excellent venue visually and acoustically. Yes, the restrooms are inconvenient, so prepare in advance.
Newcomers: don’t be intimidated by dress codes. Be mindful that it’s not a place for flip-​flops and cutoffs; just be respectful and come enjoy what this group can deliver, which is something powerful and very special.

They had an open house.
I won prizes, Everyone wore casual clothing, free stuff, free waters, instruments petting zoos, kids crying, very fun family event, we toured the facility.
Then we got a 1 hours free concert at the end. First come first serve basis, I got balcony seats great experience.

We are blessed to have such a talented group of folks here in Houston: I admit that, though we’re ardent playgoers, we’ve never given much thought to the symphony; however, the British rock show was a blast! We’re looking forward to expanding our horizons and, just possibly, attending a real «blast from the (pre-​Industrial Revolution) past».

Love the symphony. Been coming here since I was a kid and it’s only getting better.
Sound is excellent!
This is pretty much the only place in Houston for large-​scale indoor symphonies. Miller Outdoor Theater sometimes has symphonic performances but then again, it’s outdoors.
The venue is quite good and you really don’t have a bad seat in the house. The only drawback is that it’s located in downtown Houston and it’s very hard to find a place to park. My recommendation would be to park underground, under Jones Plaza (just across the street from Jones Hall).
Drinks are very expensive here too, so be prepared.
Negative points aside, I really enjoy the new Conductor. Really a top-​notch conductor from Argentina. We recently saw the Mozart & Shostakovich symphony. Absolutely one of the best symphonic concerts I’ve ever seen.

Very Merry Pops — Houston Symphony with Michael Krajewsk Conductor and the Houston Symphony Chorus… The best way to get in the holiday spirit when it is 70 degrees! This is one Holiday tradition that should not be missed.

I always have a great time, our family are huge fans of the Houston symphony and Mike Krajewski!

The Houston Symphony conducted by Andres is just incredible. I attended on the season’s opening night and was just blown away by the talent. I took my parents to watch Sarah Chang and the Symphony a couple of weeks ago. Such talent! November 1^st will find me there watching Ragtime, Blues, and All that Jazz… then Beethoven’s Fifth in mid-​November, and Perlman Plays and Conducts on Valentine’s Day. The box seats can be had for a reasonable $ 140 or so, and they are worth it. The experience of getting dressed up to go to the Symphony and have that music wash over you is priceless.

Rice students get one specific free concert attendance to Houston Symphony every semester, and this is the one event that I will never miss.
Expect a top-​notch, world-​class performance from this spectacular group! Every performance season, Houston Symphony hosts many events, which are not limited to your traditional classical music performances. The Symphony will occasionally bring in musical celebrities like Joshua Bell and do special performances such as movie screening with live orchestra and jazz classics.
If you are in town even for a bit, allocate a night to hear the Houston Symphony! The performance venue, Jones Hall, is only a few blocks away from the nearest light rail station and has ample parking underground.

Another wonderful event, and again my first time at the Houston Symphony!
Really enjoyed the music as did my daughter the clarinet player! I would really enjoy going back for another performance!

I never thought of myself as a «Symphony» kind of guy and I never thought to go to a Symphony until Unilocal Houston offered free tickets to its Elite members to attend «The Contemporary Songbook» feat singer/​musician Tony DeSare.
There are plenty of parking garages around Jones Hall so Parking wouldn’t be a problem. If you’re lucky enough to find parking on the streets, then parking is free. However, I opted to park at the Alley Theater on the other side of the street and paid $ 7.
Since I’d never been to a symphony before, I wasn’t really sure as to what the dress code would be so I completely GQ’d up. Yup, suit and tie. However, upon entering Jones Hall, I noticed that suit and tie are not the rule, but the exception. Most of the audience were wearing what I would call business casual. Some were even wore fancy jeans and dress shoes. I guess as long as you’re comfortable and not too casual, you’re welcome at Jones Hall.
I sat on the balcony almost all the way at the very back. However, I still had a pretty good view of the stage. They also had a big screen on both the left and right side of the walls for your viewing pleasure.
As for the performance. I didn’t realize that I loved the Symphony until they started playing one song after the next. I caught myself constantly tapping my feet and humming along with a smile on my face. The Conductor for the night, Michael Krajewski, was amazing. He was making conversation with the audience and told some short jokes in regards to abbreviation in text messages for old people (BFF = Best Friend’s Funeral, etc.) I found myself laughing to some of the more corny jokes that he threw out. The Houston Symphony also performed some of the songs by the band Chicago and some songs from the album Tapestry by Carole King.
Tony DeSare also amazed with his rendition of some of the more popular songs in the past few decades such as Kiss by Prince, Faithfully by Journey, and Times They Are a Changin’ by Bob Dylan.
They offer light food and wine/​beer at the concession stands outside. I didn’t really pay attention to the food pricing but I did get myself and my friend a couple of glasses of Malbec and a bottle of water. That came to $ 21 ($ 9 per glass of Malbec and $ 3 for a bottle of water). It’s kind of expected to pay more at a venue such as Jones Hall.
I will definitely be returning to the Houston Symphony for other performances that they will be having.

Dat. Oboe.
Came here to see Mozart & Schumann and was so happy that I did! The Houston Symphony is home to some seriously talented artists. You don’t need to be a classical music buff to enjoy it either — just someone who likes tunes that are pleasing to the eardrums.
Jones Hall itself is very nice, too. The seats are covered in red velvet (not the cake… although I may stick that in the suggestion box) and the seats RECLINE! So comfortable.
The bathrooms are not great, especially considering you have to go down a super narrow stairwell or a slow elevator to get to them. Maybe I was missing another entrance? Not worth worrying about, just thought I would mention.
In summation, you must go at least once to see our fabulous symphony. They obviously work really hard (it shows) and, even if the music doesn’t completely float your boat, there is always the added entertainment of watching the conductor flail around ;)

There are few things in Houston in the arts department that I think has other metropolitan areas trumped hands down. The Houston Symphony, especially for its price point and proximity to downtown, has got everything else in this city beat. It is absolutely competitive to other major metropolitan symphonies if not surpassing.
I became a subscriber to the Houston Symphony and have seen Earth, Wind and Fire; Itzhak Perlman; Kristin Chenoweth; a Simon and Garfunkel tribute duo; Ashley Brown (originating the role of US Mary Poppins); stars from Wicked the musical; and so much more. I’m awaiting Disney in Symphony and West Side Story, and last summer there was a great SciFi event, too.
The 2013 – 14 year promises Chris Botti, Joshua Bell, John Williams (Star Wars), YoYo Ma (cellist for Memoirs of a Geisha), and many others.
I just think in terms of bang-​for-​the-​buck, I really love the Symphony. One of their POPS conductors — Michael Krajewski — is so witty and funny. And the quality of the symphony is just tremendous. Support your local artists and bring a +1 to this fun place!
(Notably: Jones Hall is not my favorite in terms of bathrooms, especially for women, but I’ll suck it up for the Houston Symphony.)

One of the many arts advantages of living in Houston is the city’s world class symphony. If you live in Houston (or anywhere around it) and don’t take in a theater presentation, opera, ballet or symphony performance every once in a while you are really NOT enjoying all the city has to offer.
The symphony, in my opinion, is the best bang for your buck when it comes to the high end arts events from which you could choose. Student rush tickets start at $ 12! But I’ve rarely paid more than $ 40 a seat. With the acoustics in Jones Hall there isn’t a bad seat.
They do have all your expected classical musical performances. But they also have the Pops Series, guests like Smokey Robinson and special themes shows. I never miss the Looney Tunes show when they play the music from the cartoons and actually SHOW the cartoons on the screen while they play them. I took my Godson to the James Bond music show last week. Introduce your kids to the symphony with their Disney or Christmas shows. It will open their eyes to a whole new world beyond their iPods. Live music is amazing when it’s done right and the Houston Symphony is known around the world as a top tier orchestra.
The Hall is lovely, they have a limited bar and beverage concession and a buffet before the show and at intermission (I’ve never done the buffet as it looks expensive and short on selection) and of course parking is in the underground garages downtown. I think I paid $ 7.
Some people dress to the nines for a performance but I also see folks in jeans and tennis shoes and shorts. So don’t think it’s all fancy smancy.
Get there early if you can and walk over to the Hard Rock for a beverage before the show or stroll through Jones Plaza and enjoy the sights of the big city.