Let there be music in your life, and let it be beautiful!
The Houston Symphony is opening the 2020-21 season with live in-person at Jones Hall this weekend.
At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that some public events with “controlled environments” will be permitted to resume, the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall among them, along with Dynamo and the Houston Texans’ tailgate party.
Capacity at Jones Hall will be limited to 150 people, who must be masked and have a temperature check when entering. The audience will be arranged comfortably in small household units with room to spare in the almost 3,000 seat theater.
“This weekend for opening night we’re doing a little gala event on Saturday and then on Sunday we have the first of the events with the public coming in, and for the rest of September we’re doing concerts Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” says Houston Symphony Executive Director and CEO John Mangum.
It will be a small orchestra. Socially distanced on stage, and will feature several groupings of instruments such as winds, brass, strings and percussion.
“We’re just thrilled to be back,” Mangus cheers. “Were starting small, with a smaller orchestra to have social distancing on stage to keep the players safe, and smaller audiences, too.” Mangus says Houston First, which runs Jones Hall, has really upped their protocol to make sure all venues are clean and use the latest techniques to ensure everyone’s safety.
Saturday’s opening night gala will be limited by invitation, and attendance is for subscribers. Sunday will be the first performance open to the subscribing public. The box office is compiling a waiting list of music lovers yearning to enrich their lives once again with the splendor of an orchestra in the acoustic grandeur of Jones Hall. All Saturday shows will be live-streamed.
See the Houston Symphony’s website for details on ticket availability.