Robert Franz celebrates his 10th anniversary as associate conductor. He has created a stimulating yet fun learning environment which has led to an enormous demand for educational and family programming. Under his leadership, attendance at family concerts has almost doubled. Franz is committed to developing student audiences through activities that include instructing students on the merits of active listening and is well known for dressing up in costume to entertain children and their parents, and make the music more engaging. Last season he was honored as the first member of the orchestra conducting staff with the Raphael Fliegel Award for Visionary Leadership, presented in recognition of his immense success in advancing the Houston Symphony’s educational and community engagement activities.
Franz also conducts the “Summer Community Concert” series with programs presented throughout the greater Houston area. These concerts are designed to create a positive experience for a diverse community by bringing the world of classical music out of the traditional concert hall.
Highlights of this season include performances of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 as well as major works by Verdi, Debussy and Beethoven. Thematic concerts such as Pirates in concert, A Grinch Christmas, Be Our Guest and Fiesta will feature partnerships with students and professional artists from the Houston area.
Houston Symphony
