ROCO

06/19/2026

This Juneteenth, we're reflecting on the story that inspired John Wineglass' Sacred Ground, commissioned for ROCO's 21st season in collaboration with the Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy.

As we honor the 161st anniversary of Freedmen's Town, we celebrate a community built brick by brick, by people whose resilience, self-determination, and pursuit of freedom remain at the heart of Juneteenth's meaning today.

▶️ Watch the full performance conducted by Artistic Partner Mei-Ann Chen: youtu.be/9M4bJbzQttw

06/18/2026

What does freedom sound like? 🇺🇸 Listen to the galloping melody and vivid lyrics of Jean Ritchie's 1965 folk song "Wild Horses", a metaphor for an unbridled thirst for independence 🐎

J. Todd Frazier captures that energy in his masterful orchestration, featuring soprano Viviana Goodwin and concertmaster Laura Frautschi in ROCO's April 2026 concert.

Watch the full performance conducted by Artistic Partner Delyana Lazarova: youtu.be/QOo2x7VLVw8

06/16/2026

Today, we're sending the happiest birthday wishes to ROCO violist Tawnya Popoff!! 🎂 🥳 We hope your day is filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of reasons to celebrate!!

Based in Canada, Tawnya also serves as Principal Violist of the Vancouver Opera, is a founding member of the Microcosmos String Quartet, and has served as Artist-in-Residence at the University of Washington School of Music. Tawnya is also an inspiring educator at the Vancouver Academy of Music and through her own private viola studio 🎻

When she's not performing or teaching, you can often find her enjoying the outdoors by foot, ski, sail, or bicycle—or channeling her creativity through handmade crafts.

Get to know Tawnya at her ROCO Artist Page: roco.org/artists/tawnya-popoff/

And see her in action with ROCO, in Starr Parodi's Riptide! youtu.be/KHib99MllE4

06/13/2026

You probably know the story. But you haven't heard it like this 🦁 ✨

Inspired by a beloved fantasy classic, Kevin Lau weaves a cast of characters into Tales Before the Dawn of Time using various leitmotifs. Can you imagine the adventures depicted in this passage?

🎧 Watch the full performance conducted by Artistic Partner Delyana Lazarova now on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/fD-t0XIU8jU

06/11/2026

An evening of great conversations and a first taste of what's to come in Season 22 🍷✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for ROCO Resound: Savor, and to our composers for taking us behind the music and sharing the stories we'll soon bring to life in concert halls across Houston.

As well, thanks to Mike Muña for curating and guiding us through four truly inspired wine pairings, and to Chef Soren Pedersen and crew for the delectable bites and beautiful venue!

We're incredibly grateful to have such a supportive community in our ROCO Resound Commissioning Consortium, who have helped to make over 150 new works possible.

We loved raising a glass with so many friends! If you couldn't make it, stay tuned—there's plenty of adventure ahead in our next season, ROCO Odyssey 🎶

06/05/2026

Wine tasting, but make it ROCO🍷

Connect with fellow music lovers and discover the new works of our 22nd season next week, long before they hit the stage.

Enjoy a savory selection of wines and bites alongside exclusive previews of our upcoming world premieres, straight from the composers themselves—featuring Composer In Residence Jessica Meyer, Austin Wintory, Leanna Primiani, and Alison Shearer.

Join us for ROCO Resound: Savor at Soren's on Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30 PM. Get tickets at url.roco.org/ResoundSavor

🎧 Anthony DiLorenzo: Tectonal

06/05/2026

Creating a lasting impact at ROCO always begins with meaningful relationships.

We're now seeking to add an Individual Giving Officer to our team who will strengthen the connections that sustain our mission to shape the future of classical music.

This new role presents an exciting opportunity for a passionate individual to help cultivate donor engagement and a community of advocates and supporters who champion ROCO's vision.

Learn more and apply at roco.org/careers.

06/05/2026

Please join us in sending ROCO violinist Tammy Linn Dawe the happiest birthday wishes today!! 🎻🥳 We hope it's been a fantastic day!

When she’s not performing with ROCO, Tammy stays busy through her private violin studio in Austin and teaching at Suzuki institutes across the country.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, getting lost in a good book, tending her garden, practicing yoga, cooking for loved ones, and spending time with her husband and beloved dog. 🐶

Get to know Tammy at her ROCO Artist Page: https://roco.org/artists/tammy-linn-dawe/

Learn more about her private studio, teaching activities, and musical projects at: https://www.theviolinnstudio.com/

And see her in action with the ROCO, in Gala Flagello's Droughts and Downpours for string orchestra! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzILuQ7RZQ0

06/04/2026

Thank you so much to Steven Brown and Arts and Culture Texas for sharing this preview of our upcoming Season 22, Odyssey! 🎶

We can't wait to take our full chamber orchestra on a tour of Houston's performing arts venues, along with new guest artists and seven world premieres!

📰 Read more below:

If you jotted down a list of snappy names, you probably wouldn’t include this: ROCO, Houston’s Chamber Orchestra.