Houston Symphony one of first in nation to reopen, raising $518K
The Houston Symphony’s Opening Night Concert & Gala is typically the city’s first black-tie event of the fall season. In 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, it became one of the first orchestras in the country to perform live and in person.
Jones Hall is almost always sold out for the occasion. Twothirds of the crowd are ticketholding, classical musical lovers; they usually arrive in Sunday best. The remaining third dons full-stop formal wear. The women slink into floor-length gowns and jewels. Their dates look the part, too, in tuxedos and bow ties.
In past years, the elevated attire helped identify which patrons attend the pre-concert cocktail reception and post-event seated dinner, which often take place at the Corinthian. A fleet of shuttle buses transported guests between the downtown venues.
Saturday night, however, there was no such fanfare.
Only Dr. Sippi Khurana, who served as co-chair alongside husband Ajay Khurana, wore an evening gown. In saturated fuchsia, she harmonized with the red carpet outside Jones Hall. Her caped ensemble shone a note brighter than the crimson seats inside, where the Khuranas held court front and center in the orchestra section.
Before COVID-19, some 1,600 symphony supporters would have attended Opening Night’s concert performance.
In contrast, organizers admitted just 75 guests last weekend. Check-in times were staggered. Masks were required. And ushers stood watch to enforce social distancing.
Box-office windows remained drawn and dark. Instead, eventgoers scanned their electronic tickets from behind a glass partition. Upon entry into the lobby, a staffer measured each person’s temperature using infrared technology.
But there was still an unmistakable air of magic under the renowned Gemini II ceiling sculpture. Guests queued patiently to have their photo taken between two floral arrangements framing the space. The Events Company created a romantic theme with roses, antique hydrangea and eucalyptus.
Before the program began, patrons spoke of their gratitude to return to Jones Hall from great distances — entire rows and several seats separated small groups of up to three.
John Mangum, Houston
Symphony executive director, CEO and Margaret Alkek Williams chair, manned a far corner of the orchestra level surrounded by an elaborate camera setup. The concert was also broadcast live, and in his opening remarks, Mangum shared that the symphony was one of the first orchestras in the country to perform in person.
He later introduced new symphony board chair and president
John Rydman to the streaming audience. Concertmaster and Max Levine chair Yoonshin
Song also made an onscreen appearance between musical selections.
Song juggled double duty with aplomb. One minute she sat for an interview with Mangum, and the next she was onstage as a violinist and leader of works that included three of today’s female composers: Jessie Montgomery’s “Banner” for string quartet and string orchestra; Keiko Abe’s “Conversations in the Forest” for marimba duo; and Jennifer Higdon’s “Autumn Music” for wind quintet. Gabrieli’s “Duodecimi Toni,” Ravel’s “Introduction and Allegro” and Vivaldi’s Concert for Four Violins were performed as well. The latter was dedicated to Sippi Khurana, an accomplished violinist in her own right.
Stagehands replaced chairs and music stands between works. Musicians filed on and off the stage between selections. It all proved a well-rehearsed production — and one that paid off. Supporters raised more than $518,000 toward the symphony’s education and community programming. For the 34th year, ConocoPhillips served as concert sponsor and lead gala corporate underwriter.
A number of Houstonians joined the festivities from home. Longtime subscribers Drs. Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah tuned in from an intimate watch party hosted by Robin Angly and
Miles Smith. To help some 300 viewers get into the celebratory spirit, City Kitchen delivered multicourse dinners or charcuterie trays to high-level donors. Rydman, president/owner of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods, hand-selected Husic Vineyard Palm Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon and Domaine BacheyLegros Meursault Les Chevalieres for an added treat.
Afterward, concertgoers were directed to exit Jones Hall row by row. There may not have been drinking, dancing or valet, though the show indeed went on.