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<\/a><\/p>\nMei-Ann Chen will return to the conductor’s podium this season with ROCO.<\/p>\n
Photo by Violeta Alvarez <\/p>\n
The season is telling stories that matter with people who matter, including composer-in-residence Kevin Lau. <\/p>\n
The recipient of the prestigious 2025 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize, Lau has been commissioned by some of Canada’s most prominent artists and ensembles. A prolific composer of orchestral, chamber, ballet, opera and film music, he served as Affiliate Composer of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) from 2012 – 2015; to date, he has produced eight works for the TSO. He has composed three original ballets for companies including the National Ballet of Canada, National Arts Centre and Bravo Niagara!. His music can be found on 13 commercial recordings, and his seven string quartets have been championed globally by internationally renowned ensembles. <\/p>\n
This is not ROCO\u2019s first brush with Lau. He is the same composer for a ROCO-commissioned work that was adapted to a children\u2019s book, “The Nightingale.” He will kick off the first concert with the world premiere of his clarinet concerto that details the arc of birth, life and death. Lau will also write an epic piece for the full orchestra inspired by C.S. Lewis\u2019 fantasy novel series, “The Chronicles of Narnia.” <\/p>\n
Other notable people involved in the season are conductors Delyana Lazarova and Mei-Ann Chen and three guest concertmasters: Margaret Batjer, Laura Frautschi and Tereza Stanislav. <\/p>\n
As technology marches forward, so does ROCO by embracing the digital age. It is now enabling audiences anywhere, in person or livestreaming, to view the sheet music to scores and parts in the ROCO Mobile App during concerts. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe encourage people to bring tablets. The app helps the audience to have another pathway to multiple layers of experiencing our concerts,\u201d Lawyer said. \u201cWhat if you played flute in high school and you want to follow along with that? You’re able to choose your instrument and almost choose your musical adventure.\u201d
The 2025-26 season is as follows: <\/p>\n
\u2018Feels Like Home\u2019
7:30 p.m., September 26 at Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park
5 p.m., September 27at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks <\/p>\n
Season of the Senses Soir\u00e9e
7:30 p.m., September 27 at Artechouse, 600 West 6th <\/p>\n
Unchambered Series concert
5 p.m., October 11 at Julia Ideson Library, 550 McKinney
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Julia Ideson Library, with a ROCO-commissioned world premiere based on its WPA murals <\/p>\n
\u2018Fragrant Memories\u2019
5 p.m., November 1 at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks <\/p>\n
Classic films with live scores performed by ROCO
8 p.m., November 14 at The River Oaks Theatre, 2009 West Gray
Classic films with live scores performed by ROCO, including “The Immigrant” (Charlie Chaplin), “Liberty” (Laurel & Hardy), and Disney’s Silly Symphony “Music Land.” <\/p>\n
\u2018Make a Joyful Noise\u2019
6:30 p.m., December 4 at Padre’s Wine Bar, 3522 White Oak
Adult Instrument Zoo and Wine Night <\/p>\n
\u2018Beer & Brass\u2019
6:30 p.m., January 7, 2026 at Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons
Featuring the ROCO Brass Quintet <\/p>\n
Connections Series concert
5 p.m., January 24, 2026 at Holocaust Museum Houston, 5401 Caroline
Featuring and curated by Vijay Gupta, violin & Alexis Gerlach, cello <\/p>\n
\u2018Do You Hear What I Hear?
5 p.m., February 7, 2026 at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks <\/p>\n
Unchambered Series concert
5 p.m., February 28, 2026 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point
Celebrating St. Francis\u2019s 75th anniversary <\/p>\n
Connections Series concert
5 p.m., March 28, 2026 at Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 Southmore
Celebrating Japan’s Expo 2025 <\/p>\n
\u2018Seeing Is Believing\u2019
5 p.m., April 18, 2026 at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks <\/p>\n
Connections Series concert
5 p.m., May 2, 2026 at Artechouse, 600 W 6th
12 p.m., May 5, 2026 at MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe
As part of the center\u2019s Music-in-Medicine Initiative, this neurofeedback collaboration includes the research of Rice University professor Anthony Brandt, featuring pianist Dr. Mei Rui.<\/p>\n
ROCO’s 2025-26 season runs September 26 through May 5 at various locations.Tickets to ROCO concerts follow a pay-what-you-wish model. The ‘Season of the Senses Soir\u00e9e’ takes place at 7 p.m. at Artechouse, 600 West 6th with single tickets for $300 and tables ranging from $2,500-$50,000. ‘Make a Joyful Noise’ takes place at 7 p.m. December 4 at Padre’s Wine Bar, 3522 White Oak with single tickets for $45.To purchase concert tickets or for more information, call 713-665-2700 or visit ROCO.org<\/a>.
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