The Houston Symphony League offers both volunteering and social opportunities for its members. This page lists the opportunities under both categories with subcategories from which to choose.
B# Series
This popular program hosts musicians, guest artists, composers, Symphony staff, experts in medical/music research and other community arts organizations in a luncheon/lecture setting. This is usually a three-program series.
Contact: education@houstonsymphonyleague.com
Craft Activities
Weeknights will find this dedicated group of creative artists coming up with the arts and crafts that will help underscore the power of the music children hear at the Family Concerts and other events. This is a very social and creatively fun time for members.
Contact: education@houstonsymphonyleague.com
Musician Appreciation Lunches
A key objective of the League is to interface and get to know our Symphony musicians and staff. The League hosts Musician Appreciation Lunches to facilitate camaraderie and to show the League’s appreciation to the musicians. These lunches are held when the Symphony orchestra has back-to-back rehearsals.
Instrument Petting Zoo
This extremely popular activity for young patrons [children] is available at the annual Theater District Open House, family concerts and children’s events. League volunteers help entertain the young patrons by demonstrating how to hold and play various instruments while encouraging the children to do the same.
Contact: education@houstonsymphonyleague.com
Pearls of the Symphony/Ambassadors
These HSL Pearls will provide a myriad of assistance at League events. They not only greet and direct attendees but also help with name tags, all manner of information, manning various explanatory stations – doing whatever necessary to ensure all manner of activities and events run smoothly.
Contact: membership@houstonsymphonyleague.com
School Partnerships
The League is instrumental in the success of this educational engagement so far by providing 80 violins to students at Lewis Elementary School. The League also supplements the cost of having Community-Embedded Musicians (CEM’s) provide instruction to the students. League members sit in on sessions throughout the year to help with research and monitoring the students’ progress in many areas, such as confidence and engagement.
Contact: education@houstonsymphonyleague.com
Family Concerts
The Symphony performs family concerts and provides activities for the children. League volunteers conceive of and provide the arts and crafts, materials, assist in Jones Hall lobby activities and provide guests with craft support. The children’s joy is contagious, and great friendships are made.
Contact: education@houstonsymphonyleague.com
Student Concerts
The Symphony performs weekday concerts for tens of thousands of school children throughout the Greater Houston area. League volunteers provide leadership and ushering assistance for up to 2,500 students as they are ushered into and dismissed from Jones Hall at every performance.
Contact: education@houstonsymphonyleague.com
Book Club
This event is extremely popular with League members and offers intriguing weekday discussions on musical literature. It is designed to be a social and educational experience and to encourage a deeper understanding of the Symphony’s upcoming repertoire. It offers a more integral involvement in both the League and Symphony’s missions. Generally, there are two Book Club meeting per year.
Fundraising
Annual Fund
Volunteer support of the Symphony’s Annual Fund effort is critical. Working together, we encourage League members to 100% participation in donating to this fund. We use all means to encourage our members and others by holding phone banks, sending emails and letters, plus helping with in-hall efforts through the year.
Magical Musical Morning
This exciting family event held in December raises funds for the Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement programs. This lovely and joyous brunch is typically held at the River Oaks Country Club and offers photos with Santa, crafts and the Instrument Petting Zoo, as well as other activities geared to the children. League volunteers help organize and assist, especially with the children. The League leads the organization and fundraising activities through an involved committee structure.
Pop-up Events
The League looks to partner with community organizations that support the Symphony to create win-win events for their public relations and business and the League’s fundraising efforts.
An Interview with a Houston Icon
Join us for a captivating discussion with a Houston Icon to be determined and scheduled generally in the Spring of the Year.
Neiman-Marcus Style Show
This Houston Symphony League tradition is a beautiful annual partnership with the legendary Neiman-Marcus. Neiman’s graciously hosts a luncheon and style show to raise funds for the Symphony
and always sells out quickly! Neiman’s goes all out bringing us the elegant fashions so needed for our many fundraising events.
Special Events
The Houston Symphony League has created over the years most of the Symphony’s major fundraising events and continues supporting these in myriad ways. They include: the Opening Night Gala, Wine Dinner & Collector’s Auction and the Symphony Ball. League members are integral fundraisers, volunteers, table purchasers, solicitors of auction items, decorations and chair many committees.
Symphony Associations
| TASO. Texas Association of Symphony Orchestras.
Contact: president@houstonsymphonyleague.com |
LAO. League of American Orchestras.
Contact: president@houstonsymphonyleague.com |
AMSOV. Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers Contact: president@houstonsymphonyleague.com |
Fall Membership Luncheon/Volunteer Fair
This luncheon kicks off the Houston Symphony League’s season and provides an opportunity for members to volunteer and sign up to donate their time and talents as they peruse the year’s lineup of activities and fundraisers.
Orchestrated Lunches
A purely social event for our members to Dutch treat themselves to a fun get-together at one of Houston’s lovely restaurants. The title has been Hats on Hats Off reflecting the eclectic nature of our membership. We usually have a cooking demonstration or other interesting entertainment.
President’s Luncheon
The HSL President’s luncheon is held at the end of the League season in May. It affords an opportunity to sign up for the next year’s activities and fundraisers. The gavel is passed from the current League President to the next, and our esteemed Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year Award is presented.
Spring Membership Tea
Always an elegant affair at which the general membership is introduced to the new officers selected for the following year by the Nominating Committee. Our esteemed Ardyce Tostengard Crystal Cello Award is presented to an outstanding education volunteer for serving, inspiring and bringing the joy of music to children and families.
Holiday Party
This annual event is held in December typically in a home setting for HSL members to celebrate the festive holiday season.
Social Connections
These special groups are formed for camaraderie and friendship for our members in good standing. In addition, to the fun activities, they are expected to be available to usher at one Spring and one Fall event of student or family concert event.
Destination Getaway
Members of this group meet for a two-night stay with tours, lunch, and dining experiences.
Gourmet Group
This group prepares food for the Christmas and March Membership events. Sometimes the group experiences cooking demonstrations.
Mah Jongg Mavens
Meetings to play Mah Jongg are held at Lakeside Country Club on the second Thursday of the month.
Symphony Soles
This walking group meets twice a week in Memorial Park and the third Wednesday at the Houstonian to enjoy a leisurely walk, fresh air and camaraderie.
Wine Society
The Wine Society meets twice in the Fall and twice in the Spring for tasting and a discussion of various types of wine.
League Adventures
This adventurous group meets twice in the Fall and Spring to experience different Houston locations for cocktails, light bites, dinner together, Symphony performances, or other Houston adventures.
Exploring Houston’s Arts and Culture
The Arts and Culture group meets once in the Fall and Spring for Houston Culture and Art experiences.
Sandtrap Socialites
The Sandtrap Socialites group is comprised of golfers of all levels. We usually meet the second
Tuesday of each month. We play at several venues- 18 hole courses, TopGolf, Popstroke
putting course and par 3 courses.
Games Day
Games Day is a pop-up event held every couple of months, depending on holidays, interest,
etc. It is an event where we play Mahjongg, Pictionary, Rumicube, Mexican Train, Scattergories
or any game someone wants to bring and share. It is BYOB and snacks are provided.
