Rare instrument to be featured during Texas Music Festival

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Since 1990, each summer, young professional musicians descend upon the University of Houston campus for a four-week intensive orchestral fellowship program.

Each musician accepted into the program receives a fellowship that offers a dynamic opportunity to learn from distinguished artists from the Moores and Shepherd schools of music faculty as well as members of the Houston Symphony. The program culminates at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion where the Texas Music Festival Orchestra will take the Main Stage for a free concert Friday, June 23 at 8 p.m. under Guest Conductor Brett Mitchell. Tickets are not required for free seating.

The family-friendly concert will include performances of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s LA Variations and Sir Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations. A highlight of the event will be the use of a contrabass clarinet — a clarinet so rare in the Houston area that one was finally located in The Woodlands for Texas Music Festival to use at two concerts this season. The clarinet will be on loan from College Park High School in The Woodlands and will be played at The Pavilion for LA Variations.

Additionally, Matthew Lee the winner of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artists Competition will perform a special solo celebrating his achievement.

“The Pavilion is very proud to be the presenting venue for the Texas Music Festival. This event truly fulfills our Mission of being a catalyst to enhance an appreciation for the arts and provide performance opportunities for young artists,” said Jerry MacDonald, president and CEO of The Pavilion.

During pre-concert activities beginning at 7:00 p.m., Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of all ages will have the opportunity to complete their music merit badge through a variety of requirements set up throughout The Pavilion’s North Plaza. For the adults, enjoy a complimentary wine tasting in the pit from Don Sebastiani & Sons Wines. Other plaza activities include The Pavilion Partners arts & crafts booth and Instrument Petting Zoo as well as activities by Woodforest National Bank and Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse.

Guests are welcome to have a picnic in their seat or on the hill and lawn seats are provided for free! Keep in mind that beverages cannot be brought into The Pavilion and picnics must also comply with The Pavilion’s bag size restriction and/or be in original packaging. Examples include pizza within a pizza box or chips in original sealed packaging. Please visit The Pavilion’s website for more information on these restrictions.