The Celebration

On Friday, September 29, 2023, this year’s Houston Symphony Opening Night Concert and Gala celebrated the opening of the Janice H. and Thomas D. Barrow 2023 to 2024 Classical Season at Jones Hall and Corinthian Houston. Mariglyn & Stephen Glenn were the gracious chairs of the event, which honored Beth Madison for her philanthropic support of arts and education in the Houston Community.

The Story

Turned out in black tie, 350 guests attended the chic event. Prior to the performance at Jones Hall, which featured Juraj Valčuha leading the orchestra and Soprano Erin Morley singing with the Houston Symphony Chorus, guests sipped Champagne and enjoyed tasty hors d’oeuvres on the mezzanine level. After the performance participants were whisked off to Corinthian Houston, where they stepped into Parisian-inspired luxury courtesy of The Events Company. Before walking the red carpet, they were welcomed by a likeness of the Eiffel Tower rising out of a base of beautiful flowers. Tables draped in blue linens held sparkling candelabras and overflowing high and low pink and red floral arrangements dotted with dashes of blue and green. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous seated dinner catered by City Kitchen, which featured sea bass for the main course and chocolate terrine with crème anglaise, almond tuiles, and melon sorbet for dessert.  Wine pairings provided by Lindy and John Rydman of Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods accompanied the meal.   

The Moments  

Following dinner, guests enjoyed musical entertainment by the Divisi Strings.

ConocoPhillips served as the Concert Sponsor and Lead Gala Corporate Underwriter for the 38th year.

The event raised over $635,000 for the orchestra’s industry-leading Education and Community Engagement initiatives.

Guests: Mariglyn and Stephen Glenn, John and Regina Mangum, Margaret Alkek Williams, John and Lindy Rydman, Beth Madison, Bill Bullock, Janet Clark, Bobbie Nau, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Tammy and Wayne Nguyen, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, Joan and Bob Duff, Suresh and Renu Khator, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Tammie and Charles Johnson, Betsy and Rick Weber, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, and Barbara and Pat McCelvey.

About Houston Symphony

Founded in 1913, the Houston Symphony has played a central role in Houston’s cultural and civic life for more than 100 years and is now one of America's oldest performing arts organizations. Today, the Houston Symphony’s 87 musicians perform approximately 170 concerts annually, making it the largest performing arts organization in Houston. Its mission is to inspire and engage a large and diverse audience in Greater Houston and beyond through exceptional orchestral and non-orchestral performances, educational programs, and community activities.