History of the Houston Symphony League
For over 80 years the Houston Symphony League, originally named the Women’s committee of the Houston Symphony Society, has been a source of significant support for the Houston Symphony and for the cultural and educational enrichment of our city. Begun in 1937 with Miss Ima Hogg as the first president, the Women’s Committee was formed with the purpose of promoting the sale of season tickets.
Other activities of the early years included soliciting donations for the Annual Fund and organizing a Junior Patrons group. Soon the women volunteers began assisting at student concerts and in 1939 undertook a major fundraising project – a symphony ball. The first two balls were 1939 and 1941 and then were revived in 1976 and held regularly ever since. The first was a Viennese Ball chaired by Mr. J. R. Parten, which brought in $1,057 for the Houston Symphony. In 1976 the Star-Spangled Ball, chaired by Mrs. Leon (Jeanette) Jaworski with guest star Bing Crosby had proceeds of $122,913. More than thirty gala balls have been staged since the late ‘70s with a variety of creative themes from “The Old World Symphony Ball” to “Rock Me, Amadeus!” Recent events have typically garnered approximately one million dollars or more for the Houston Symphony.
Ginny Garrett and Janet King, 1975
In the early years the Women’s Committee was a major part of the Society’s Annual Fund Drive involving hundreds of women canvassing the city for individual donors. By the 1960s this became a project entitled the Red Wagon Drive, referencing the advance wagon that sold tickets whenever a circus came to town. Additional fundraising events were a Radio Marathon which was a weekend broadcast that included playing classical music requests for a donation; an advertising supplement in the Houston Post which the Symphony used for publicity to kick off the season; a Men’s Event usually with a sporting theme; a collaboration with the Houston Antique Dealers Association at their annual show and the Maestro Collection, a glamorous runway fashion show with Saks Fifth Avenue that for many years kicked off the Houston social season in the late summer; a 10k run through downtown Houston and Symphony Scores a series of distinctive dinner parties held at various homes and venues through each Spring.
In 1974 the League chaired the first glamorous Opening Night Gala which takes place following the first concert of each season. In 1992 the League organized and staffed the Symphony Store in the Jones Hall lobby. Magical Musical Morning first held in 1997 has been a successful fundraiser and holiday party for children for over 20 years. In 2002 the Maestro’s Wine Dinner, originally part of Symphony Scores, became a separate event that now includes an exclusive wine auction and gourmet dinner on stage at Jones Hall.
League volunteers have also been a major part of the Educational activities of the Symphony. Past league activities are Painting to Music (a contest for local school children); Special Transportation for physically challenged children to attend student concerts at Jones Hall and the Gift of Music soliciting funds to provide free or discounted concert tickets for secondary and college students.
One of the oldest education activities of the Houston Symphony League was a student competition begun in 1947. Student musicians from the Greater Houston area are invited to perform for a panel of judges. Winners of the Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition are awarded cash prizes and performance opportunities.
Students with Ellen Kelly, HSL President and Jerry Priest, Audition chair in 1978
In 1976 the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition was created. Named to honor the memory of the Houston Symphony League founder, the competition is open to musicians who are US citizens or foreign exchange students enrolled in a US college. The top two winners receive substantial cash prizes and appear as guest artists at a Houston Symphony concert. Many past winners of the Ima Hogg Competition are members of symphony orchestras around the world and serve on faculties of major national and international music schools and universities.
Since 1955 League members have served as ushers at school concerts and have assisted more than 34,000 children in and out of Jones Hall each year. They have served as docents since 1977 to enhance the concert experience of children attending school concerts. A highly popular activity is the Instrument Petting Zoo at family concerts. Some league members have even been “living instruments” such as Mr. Beethoven and Maestro Mouse.
A third area for League members has been Service. In 1979 volunteers held orchestra coffees and later full lunches for musicians and Symphony staff during breaks at rehearsals. From 1959 to 2002 the League also hosted an annual party for orchestra members and their families. One memorable party in the 70s welcomed the orchestra back from tour with a Western themed party. In the mid 80s the League donated a harp to the orchestra and for the Leagues 75th anniversary year, the League raised funds to donate a Steinway grand piano to the Symphony.
Houston is a young city and few of its organization can celebrate decades of existence. As a major component of the Symphony the League continues today as a vibrant and vital volunteer force for our city’s orchestra. What was true in 1937 remains true today.
Thanks to Ginny Garrett, Houston Symphony League member for over 45 years and former member of the Houston Symphony for the text of this history.
