Brazosport Symphony Orchestra

Immerse yourself in live orchestral music with the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra!

  • Experience classical favorites, pop arrangements and world premieres LIVE…the way they were intended to be heard.
  • Join one of the fastest-growing audiences of classical music lovers.
  • Celebrate the world of music in a world-class venue with amazing sound.
  • Introduce the whole family to symphonic music affordably, without worrying about parking or big city traffic.

BSO 2025-2026 Season

Thank you for an amazing 2025-2026 season!

It was a year of fantastic music and record-breaking ticket sales, thanks to the hard work of our conductor, musicians and volunteers, and of course the interest of our patrons.

Stay tuned for our 2026-2027 season and info. on when season tickets will go on sale!

ALSO, sign up your students going into 2nd – 5th grades for our first Summer at The Center program, The Instrument Lab, slated for June 29 – July 2! Get more info. & register now!

Join the BSO family! Here’s how YOU can get involved:

  • Purchase season tickets (Adults: $180; Students: $96)
  • Join the BSO board
  • Become a volunteer
  • Make a donation
  • Become a sponsor
  • Sponsor a concert
Paris in the rain bso

French Impressions

Saturday, October 11 – 7:30 PM

The Clarion at Brazosport College

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The New York Tenors

Sunday, November 9 – 4:00 PM

The Clarion at Brazosport College

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Handel's Messiah

Sunday, December 14 – 4:00 PM

The Clarion at Brazosport College

Featuring Brazosport College Choirs and Angleton Community Chorus!

Pulling Strings!
Featuring guitarist Marc Garvin & special guest John Calderon

Sunday, February 1 – 4:00 PM

The Clarion at Brazosport College

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What a Wonderful World

Sunday, March 22 – 4:00 PM

The Clarion at Brazosport College

This concert will feature the 2026 winners of the Whit Phillips Memorial Young Artist Competition & Student Melody Challenge, and the Brazosport Children’s Choir.

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Batman vs. Beethoven

Saturday, May 2 – 7:30 PM

The Clarion at Brazosport College

Our Programs

Events Calendar

Calendar of Events

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About Brazosport Symphony Orchestra

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra is a world-class symphony orchestra based in southern Brazoria County. Under the direction of Brian Casey, the orchestra presents a full season of classical and pops concerts in The Clarion Music Performance Hall at Brazosport College. Brazosport Symphony Orchestra is registered as a 501(c)(3) not for profit charitable and educational organization with the Internal Revenue Services. Donations to Brazosport Symphony Orchestra are tax-deductible.

Volunteer with Brazosport Symphony Orchestra

How can I become a musician with Brazosport Symphony Orchestra?
Please contact Brian Casey at iplaydbass@hotmail.com or Paula Matzke at izzie2865@gmail.com.

What if I don’t play an instrument?
We have other opportunities for you to be involved with the Symphony. Brazosport Symphony League is an active organization that helps support the Symphony and its players. For more information, contact Neldia Alhquist at neldia@neldalinsurance.com.

Membership

Full Circle Sampler

Membership Benefits (beginning September 2023)

Enjoy an exciting season at The Center (and beyond) with memberships to each Partner Group with this “sampler” package! 

  • Brazosport Fine Arts Council membership (voting level membership) + $50 donation to Center Operations
  • Brazosport Art League Single Artist membership (valid through Sept. 30, 2024)
  • 5 adult Flex Tickets to Brazosport Center Stages*  (to be used in any combination to 2023/2024 regular season shows)
  • Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Individual membership (valid Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024)
  • BASF Planetarium individual membership
  • 4 adult Flex Tickets to Brazosport Symphony Orchestra* (to be used in any combination to 2023/2024 regular season concerts)

*Reservations required to redeem BCS & BSO Flex Tickets

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra

Membership Benefits (beginning September 2023)

  • Adult Season Ticket Package (6 tickets total) – $180 each.
  • Student Season Ticket Package (6 tickets total) – $96 each.

Season ticket holders/members have the following three options:

  • Choose the same seats as the 2022-2023 season.
  • Select new seats.
  • Switch from season tickets to Flex tickets.

Seat selection available through September 1.

If you select Flex Tickets, you MUST reserve your seats prior each concert. Reservations may be made online, in person or by calling (979) 265-7661 during The Center’s regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM).

Please allow two business days for processing.

History of Brazosport Symphony Orchestra

In 1981, Dr. Samuel Jones, Director of Rice University’s newly formed Shepherd School of Music, contacted Jeralyn Friedli, a former player living in Lake Jackson. Dr. Jones said he had a promising conducting student named Jim Hagberg who wished to become the conductor of a community orchestra after graduation.

In the Spring of 1982, Clayton Gilpin, President of the Brazosport Music Theater, (which later merged with the Little Theater of Brazosport to become Brazosport Center Stages), called Jeralyn to determine the possibility of starting an orchestra under the sponsorship of the Music Theater. Jim Hagberg was invited to attend a meeting with Gilpin, Friedli and Margaret Davis, a local musician with two children who played the violin. Hagberg was graduating from Rice University with a Masters in conducting in May 1982.

Since Hagberg was not available until the summer of 1982, Davis gathered a small group of students and community people to form a string ensemble under the direction of Bill Atkerson, a former high school orchestra director. An August concert was held at the Music Theater and was very well received. In the fall of 1982 that small string group became the nucleus for the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jim Hagberg. Hagberg was hired by the Brazosport Music Theater to conduct one rehearsal per week and three concerts for the 1982-83 season. A sum of $600 was collected from the community and added to the Music Theater treasury, from which Hagberg was paid $50 per month.

In the summer of 1983 Friedli and Linda Claiborne, another mother of a violinist, worked to organize a Symphony Board of Directors and Symphony League. These groups were to operate and maintain the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra. A charter was received from the State of Texas in 1983 and Federal non-profit status was received in 1984. The Board of Directors started with nine members, but has increased over time to 27 members. The board is organized into working committees that function well and keep the orchestra operating within budget.

Since 1984, the Symphony has continued to grow in its quantity of players, audience and budget. The quality of its performances has improved greatly and additional concerts have been added. The Symphony and its League continue in their relationship to The Center, as affiliate organizations of Brazosport Center Stages. In 2006, Brazosport Symphony Orchestra moved its rehearsals and concerts to the newly opened The Clarion Music Performance Hall at Brazosport College. Many exceptional soloists have performed with the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra, both from within the community and outside professionals.

In 2006 the Symphony revitalized its Young Artists Competition for string players. The winner received a $500 scholarship and the opportunity to play with the orchestra. In 2017, the competition was renamed the Whit Phillips Memorial Young Artists Competition, in memory of locally trained music student and performer, Whit Phillips. More information about this competition can be found in the Education section of this page.

Conductors:

James G. Hagberg (co-founder): 1982 – 2003

Dr. John Ricarte: 2003 – 2018

Brian Casey: 2018 – present

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra Affiliations

Brazosport Symphony League

Brazosport Symphony League is a dues-paying organization that supports the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra and music education in the community. Prior to each Symphony concert, BSL members meet to learn about the music for that concert. During the concert, League members can be seen helping audience members find their seats and answering questions at The Clarion as ushers. They are also a welcome sight during intermission behind the refreshment counter. To become a member, print and complete the form found at this link and mail to:

Brazosport Symphony League

400 College Blvd

Clute, TX 77531

The Clarion at Brazosport College

The Clarion at Brazosport College is a magnificent 600-seat performance hall designed to meet the highest acoustical standards for today’s live music performances. The beautiful ambience of The Clarion features a stunning, two-story lobby graced with a specially commissioned bronze sculpture entitled “Spirit of Music,” as well as rehearsal halls for vocal and instrumental music, individual practice rooms, faculty offices, classrooms, and green room. The Clarion encompass approximately 29,000 square feet of custom-designed space, providing an exciting venue for the performance, appreciation, and learning opportunities of music.

“Clarion” denotes a medieval trumpet with a clear, ringing tone; the clarion call is a bright fanfare from the trumpet, an instrument that plays a vital part in all types of music. The “Spirit of Music” bronze sculpture in The Clarion lobby will be an impressive angelic figure with clarion aloft, calling all to the appreciation of music. The word clarion comes to our language through Middle English and Old French from the Latin clarus, meaning clear.

More information about The Clarion and its season can be found by going to the following website: https://brazosport.edu/business-community/clarion/

Education

Summer at The Center

Summer at the CenterRegistration for Summer at The Center programs is OPEN NOW! Get more info. & register at the main Summer at The Center page!

The Instrument Lab

Meet a new instrument family each day: brass, woodwinds, strings & percussion!

June 29 – July 2 

10:00 AM – 11:15 AM

Ages: 2nd – 5th grade

Class Fee: $40

*Students must be entering the grades listed in the fall.

Whit Phillips Memorial Young Artist Competition

The annual Whit Phillips Memorial Young Artist Competition serves as a showcase for talented young musicians in our community. Junior high and high school students participate in an application and audition process before winners are selected. The winners are then invited to play solos with the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra during a spring concert and finalists are invited to sit in and play with the orchestra.

The competition is sponsored by Whit’s parents, Betty and Howard Phillips, in his memory. It is their hope that the Young Artist Competition encourages more young people to pursue their musical interests and that by doing so, they share the joy and pleasure of their talents through future performances.

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 winners:

Overall Winner – Artist of the Year: William Spencer

Senior Division Winner: Nicolas Ballew

Finalists: Rebecca Cassidy, Celeste Chavez, Ruby Huynh, Blyss Mafo, Jesus Meza, Elliott Spencer, Bennett Tep

Student Melody Challenge

More info. to come…

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 winners:

“The Ups and Downs of Life” by Julia Ruth
6th Grade, Grady Rasco Middle School
Music Teacher ~ Darren Tidwell

“Soaring” by Gwendolyn Luce
5th Grade, Grady Rasco Middle School
Music Teacher ~ Billy Connor

“Jack Rabbit” by Jack Lewno
5th Grade, Clute Intermediate School
Music Teacher ~ Benji Leal

Presented as “Symphonic Strands” by composer & educator Ryan Lindveit

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra Special Events

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra Composition Competition

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra’s Composition Contest started in 2011. With a rich history of nurturing talent and promoting musical excellence, Brazosport Symphony is dedicated to discovering fresh and innovative compositions that will captivate audiences. Student and amateur composers, both domestic and international, have the opportunity to showcase their skills and creativity, as well as gain exposure through performances by Brazosport Symphony Orchestra.

Aspiring artists, both emerging and established, are encouraged to participate and explore the possibilities of creating music that pushes boundaries and evokes emotions. The Composition Contest promises to be a platform for artistic exploration, where composers can contribute to the growth and vitality of classical music.

Congratulations to Samuel Durand, the 2025-2026 winner of the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra composition contest! The Brazosport Symphony Orchestra performed the composer’s work, Blurred Lights, at BSO’s concert on May 2, 2026.

Stay tuned for information about the next season’s competition! 

BRAZOSPORT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Composition Contest Winners

2025-2026: Samuel Durand https://samueldurand.com/, Blurred Lights

2024-2025: Paul Safar https://paulvsafar.wordpress.com/, Refugium: Snapshots of Denali

2023-2024: Jordan Jinosko https://www.jordanjinosko.com, Three Sketches of Unblemished Earth

2022-2023: Jacob Evarts, Courage

2021-2022: Gabriele Cardinelli https://cardinaligabriele.wordpress.com, Cinderella

2020-2021: Brandon Walker https://musicbybrandonwalker.com, Lindy Suite

2019-2020: Jia Jie Chen, Pharm Pharaoh

2018-2019: Jack Frerer https://www.jackfrerer.com, On Again, Off Again

2017-2018: Christopher Lowry https://christopherlowrymusic.com, A Cypress Prelude

2016-2017: Holland Albright https://www.hollandalbright.com, Abandoned City

2015-2016: Tony Manfredonia https://www.manfredoniamusic.com, Through the Tunnels and Back

2014-2015: Daniel Muck https://danielmuck.jimdofree.com/english/biography, Bran

2013-2014: Michael Kikulka, Krikkit Variations

2012-2013: Keith van Kirk https://www.keithvankirk.com/, Passacaglia

2011-2012: Lucas Floyd https://lucasfloyd.com, Suite for Orchestra

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra Leadership: 2024-2025
Conductor & Music Director
Brian Casey
Concert Master
Darren Tidwell
President
Neldia Ahlquist
President-elect
Ron Bachman
Recording Secretary
Michael Baker
Corresponding Secretary
Margaret Bachman
Treasurer
Howard Phillips
Vice President
Ken Marshall
Parliamentarian
Brianna Tegeler
Business Manager
Rachel Cloeter
Council Member
Marsha Albert
Council Member
Wanda Buckner
Council Member
Beth Dauer
Council Member
Daniel Griffin
Council Member
Harold Johnstone
Council Member
Mingo Marquez
Council Member
Sarah Parsons
Council Member
Narlene Plank
Council Member
Dorothy Thomas

Our Programs

Events Calendar

Calendar of Events

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