The Houston Symphony takes part in the kickoff of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s 90th anniversary with a performance of The Star Spangled Banner on opening night, February 28, 2022, at NRG Stadium. Led by Houston Symphony Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Assistant Conductor Yue Ba, 15 musicians—11 brass and 4 percussion—will perform the national anthem live for the opening night crowd before country singer Cody Johnson takes the stage. The performance will be recorded and will play for 17 nights of the 2022 RODEOHOUSTON® performances, through March 19.
This is the latest collaboration in a standing relationship between the Symphony and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which has provided funding to support the Houston Symphony’s various educational programs since 1993— the most recent initiative being the Houston Symphony’s Middle School Concerts. Part of The Robbins Foundation Student Concert Series, the Middle School Concerts are 55-minute, full-orchestra concerts, presented in Jones Hall for band and orchestra students in grades sixth through eighth and are designed to inspire students to further their involvement in music.
“We are honored to continue our partnership with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo by performing the national anthem for opening night 2022 RODEOHOUSTON,” said John Mangum, Houston Symphony Executive Director/CEO and holder of the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the Symphony to reach new audiences of music-lovers, and we hope they will be inspired to come and see all that our current season’s programming has to offer.”
On average, the Rodeo has helped the Houston Symphony Middle School Concerts serve almost 12,000 local students and teachers from 92 schools spanning 23 Greater Houston school districts. About half of the students reached are economically disadvantaged, and more than half have not previously attended a symphony performance.
To learn more about the Houston Symphony’s education programs, visit HoustonSymphony.org/community/education. For the full lineup for 2022 RODEOHOUSTON, visit rodeohouston.com.
Houston Symphony Brass and Percussion ensemble
Houston Symphony Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation Assistant Conductor Yue Ba
Horn
William VerMeulen
Ian Mayton
Nancy Goodearl
Nathan Cloeter
Trumpet
Mark Hughes
Richard Harris
John Parker
Trombone
Ryan Rongone
Harry Gonzalez
Brian Logan
Tuba
Dave Kirk
Timpani
Leonardo Soto
Percussion
Brian Del Signore
Terry McKinney
Lindsey Hoehn