Look forward to a season of music, joy, and celebration with River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) 16th Season “Color & Light”, with performances announced from Saturday, September 26, 2020 through Saturday, April 24, 2021.
ROCO’s upcoming season features illuminating musical collaborations exploring global soundscapes, presenting ten commissions, in three series of concerts showcasing the ensemble’s flexible model.
New works include a nature-inspired triptych by Alyssa Morris, a concerto for bandoneon (a Latin-American bellowed instrument) by soloist Richard Scofano, a vocal work by Reena Esmail based on Chickasaw poetry, a piece by Anna Clyne honoring Beethoven’s 250th birthday, and a deeply personal chamber work by Milad Yousufi, telling the story of his journey to America.
ROCO continues to revitalize how audiences experience classical music with performances in partnership with unique organizations across the Houston community, and concerts livestreamed to the world.
ROCO in Concert Series: 2020-21
ROCO continues to revitalize how audiences experience classical music with performances in its In Concert series. Performed at the Church of St. John the Divine in River Oaks, the series showcases ROCO’s full 40-piece orchestra in live-streamed performances.
- Starburst | Saturday, September 26, 2020 – The season starts with sparkling with a program filled musical light and energy, conducted by ROCO Artistic Partner Mei-Ann Chen. Richard Scofano, composer and soloist on the bandoneon (a Latin-American bellowed instrument), features in the world premiere of his new work La tierra sin mal (The land without evil), and additional works include Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst; Fauré’s Masques et bergamasques; Debussy’s Clair de Lune; Sibelius’ The Tempest; and a special presentation of Eric Whitacre’s Lux Aurumque.
- Oceans | Saturday, November 14, 2020 – Inspired by nature, this program led by conductor Andrew Litton will present three premieres. The first is OK, Goodbye, by Marcus Maroney and will feature Christina Jennings on flute and Matthew Dane on viola d’amore. Next is Score by Jonathan Leshnoff and a work by Anna Clyne for strings, celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Completing the program are two classics – Beethoven’s Overture to the mythic ballet The Creatures of Prometheus, and Debussy’s paean to the sea, La Mer.
- Shadows | Saturday, February 27, 2021 – This program was built around a commission by Alyssa Morris, Sinfonia Concertante—based on the children’s book Musicians of the Sun—and featuring ROCO’s principal winds as soloists. Led by conductor Ward Stare in his ROCO debut, the program will also include Patrick Harlin’s Shadow Dancer, Lennox Berkeley’s Divertimento, Haydn’s Symphony No. 101, “The Clock”, and features concertmaster Scott St. John in Luigi Dallapiccola’s Baroque-inspired work, Tartiniana Seconda.
- Flamenco | Saturday, April 24, 2021 – Concluding the season with flair, Flamenco will feature the world premiere of The History of Red, a co-commission by Reena Esmail based on a text by Chickasaw poet Linda Hogan, with soprano Kathryn Mueller as soloist. Conductor Brett Mitchell makes his return to ROCO, also leading the premiere of Quinn Mason’s Princesa de la Luna for harp and strings, plus John Adams’ Christian Zeal and Activity, Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Errollyn Wallen’s Photography, and Carlos Surinach’s flamenco for orchestra, Ritmo Jondo.
ROCO Unchambered Series: 2020-21
ROCO’s Unchambered series highlights its individual musicians and their distinct musical skills and styles. For the 2020-21 season, these self-curated performances have been scheduled at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH).
- Spring Hill on Oboe, Rebecca Powell Garfield on Flute & Laurie Meister on Harp | Wednesday, October 14, 2020
- Pasha Sabouri on Violin | Saturday, December 5, 2020
- Winds Sextet (Oboe, Flute & Bassoon) | Saturday, February 13, 2021
- ROCO Brass Quintet | Saturday, March 24, 2021
ROCO Connections Series: 2020-21
- Musical Ofrenda for Dia de los Muertos at MECA | TBA, October 2020
- Yuletide Concert at Czech Center Museum | Saturday, December 12, 2020
- Peter & The Raptor at Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) | Saturday, January 9, 2021
- Beer & Brass at Saint Arnold Brewing Company | Thursday, January 14, 2021
- Celebration of Margaret Bonds at Rienzi | Thursday, February 4, 2021
- My Journey to America at Holocaust Museum Houston | Thursday, March 11, 2021
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) 2020-21 Season Tickets
- Dates: Various dates from September 26, 2020 through Saturday, April 24, 2021
- Tickets: Individual tickets will be available at a later date, but multiple subscription packages are available for the entire concert series, or individual select series. Click here to order tickets or for more information.
- Golden Ticket package for all ROCO performances: $350.
- Combo Subscription for all In Concert & Unchambered performances: $200; $175 for ages 65 & up; $90 for students with valid I.D.
- In Concert Subscription: $125; $90 for ages 65 & up; $50 for students with valid I.D.
- Unchambered Subscription: $90; $50 for students with valid I.D.
- Click here to order tickets or for more information.
- Live Stream Past Concerts: Click here to watch ROCO’s past concerts and performances now on YouTube for free.