Vir·tu·o·si
The Virtuosi of Houston is a Premier Young Artists Chamber Orchestra. Its goal is the education and development of young talented musicians into true professionals, who would be sought after by the premier Conservatories and who would pursue a musical career as performers, educators, and advocates of classical music.
Virtuosi provides the opportunity for every talented youth in the Houston area, regardless of race, religion, or income to receive the best education in the field of classical music so that they are competitive in their objective to be music professionals.
Mission
Virtuosi of Houston is dedicated to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of talented young musicians in performing symphonic music and to become valued contributors to their communities.
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PERFORMANCES
The Virtuosi of Houston season is comprised of three chamber orchestra performances.
Rehearsals
Over five weeks prior to each concert, in a 15 weeks season.
Maestros
Franz Anton Krager and Andrzej Grabiec both Professors at the Moores School of Music, University of Houston
Years
Of conducting and performing experience.
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About Virtuosi of Houston
Virtuosi of Houston is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and Houston's only premier young artists chamber orchestra. Our goal is the education and development of young talented musicians into true professionals, who would be sought after by the premier conservatories and who would pursue a musical career as performers, educators and advocates of classical music.
As a chamber organization, Virtuosi of Houston makes it possible for each musician to experience increased confidence, leadership, responsibility and performance skills to move their own musical ability to a higher level.
The Virtuosi of Houston performs in Zilkha Hall at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts and Moores Opera House at the University of Houston. Students have an opportunity to experience performing in a state-of-the-art facility just like professional musicians who have completed their university studies and have achieved professional standing.
The Virtuosi small ensemble is encouraged to perform all over Houston whether for a modest honorarium or in malls, senior citizen homes, etc.
Our vision is that someday Virtuosi alumni will return to Texas as performers, educators, and arts advocates to give their expertise back to the community that helped develop them as young students.
Virtuosi musicians attend and have graduated from some of the finest music education institutions in the country and abroad, such as the Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Curtis Institute, Eastman School, Peabody Institute, Northwestern, University of North Texas, The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Moores School of Music at the University of Houston, and The Royal Conservatory in The Hague.
Virtuosi of Houston was founded by five individuals whose shared passion for developing young musicians made the organization possible.
Andrzej Grabiec and Franz Anton Krager served as the founding Artistic Directors and Conductors of Virtuosi of Houston, providing the artistic vision and leadership that defined the orchestra's standard of excellence from its inception. Their commitment to rigorous musical training and professional performance experience set the foundation for what Virtuosi has become.
Cathy and Earle Steinberg became deeply involved in the Houston music community through their children's musical activities, and when the vision of a youth chamber orchestra took shape, they were essential to making it a reality. Cathy took on the foundational administrative work, organizing parents, securing venues, managing legal and accounting responsibilities, and designing Virtuosi's first logo and promotional materials. Earle focused on fundraising and securing financial support from individuals and corporations that helped sustain the organization through its formative years. Their countless hours of dedication helped build the strong foundation upon which Virtuosi has grown for three decades.
Carolyn Vandiver brought over 40 years of experience directing orchestras in Texas public schools, most notably at Stephen F. Austin High School where she grew the string program from 16 to 228 members. A co-director of the Houston Youth Symphony String Orchestra for 24 years, she received the Houston Symphony's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. As one of Virtuosi's five founders, Carolyn served as manager, librarian, and general recruiter during the organization's first ten years.