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 2022/2023 Season

    Season tickets for the 2022-2023 season are ON SALE NOW!

    Purchase BSO Season Ticket/Memberships!

    A Texas Tribute
    presented by Capital Farm Credit

    Saturday, October 1, 2022 – 7:30 PM

    The Clarion at Brazosport College

    Celebrating the history of Texas and the 50th anniversary of the iconic Texas Country Reporter, this concert features Texas-themed music, film scores, classical works and more through stories told by TCR hosts Bob & Kelli Phillips.

    Beethoven Symphony No. 6

    Sunday, November 6, 2022 – 4:00 PM

    The Clarion at Brazosport College

    This concert features Beethoven’s beloved Pastoral Symphony and other classical favorites. Join us as we celebrate BSO’s 40th birthday!

    Christmas by the Fireside

    Sunday, December 18, 2022 – 4:00 PM 

    The Clarion at Brazosport College

    Featuring heartwarming and uplifting holiday family favorites!

    Fiesta de la Musica!

    Saturday, February 4, 2023 – 7:30 PM

    The Clarion at Brazosport College

    A tour of the colorful music of Mexico, Cuba, Spain, Puerto Rico, Brazil and more.

    Superheroes!

    Saturday, April 1, 2023 – 7:30 PM

    The Clarion at Brazosport College

    This concert will feature the 2023 winners of the Whit Phillips Memorial Young Artist Competition and themes from the feature films Superman, Gladiator and Batman.

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    Music for the Ages

    Saturday, May 6, 2023 – 7:30 PM

    The Clarion at Brazosport College

    BSO with Brazosport Choirs and premiering the inaugural public performance of the Brazosport Children’s Chorus, performing John Rutter’s Mass of the Children.

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    Our Programs

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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 2022)

    Enjoy an exciting season at The Center (and beyond) with memberships to each Partner Group with this “all in” membership! 
    Brazosport Fine Arts Council membership (voting level membership) + $50 donation to Center Operations
    Brazosport Art League membership
    5 adult Flex Tickets to Brazosport Center Stages 
    Brazosport Museum of Natural Science membership
    Brazosport Planetarium season pass 
    4 adult Flex Tickets to Brazosport Symphony Orchestra

    Full Circle Membership
    Brazosport-Symphony-Orchestra

    Brazosport Symphony Orchestra

    Membership Benefits (beginning September 2022)

    Adult Membership/Season Tickets (6 tickets total) – $180 each.
    Student Membership/Season Tickets (6 tickets total) – $96 each.

    Members have the option to choose the same seats as the 2021-2022 season, select new seats or make their membership Flex Tickets. Seat selections available through September 1, 2022.

    If you select Flex Tickets, you MUST reserve your seats prior to the night of 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.

    BSO Membership

    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

    The Whit Phillips Memorial Young Artists Competition

    2022-2023 Season 

    $1,000 Prize to the Young Artist of the Year 

    Prizes also awarded to category division winners. Open to Brazoria County music students grades K-12. Auditions on string, brass, wind, percussion, piano or voice. 

    Application deadline: Monday, January 16, 2023 

    Auditions: Sunday, January 29, 2023 

    The Clarion Choir Room at Brazosport College 

    Winners may be Invited to Perform with the BSO on April 1, 2023 

    Contest guidelines and applications are available here. 

    For additional information contact your Orchestra, Band, or Choir Director, or private lesson music teacher. 

    Brazosport Symphony Orchestra Special Events

    Perfectly Paired - An Evening with Bob & Kelli Phillips

    Join us for Perfectly Paired: An Evening with Bob & Kelli Phillips on Friday, September 30 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at The Center for the Arts & Sciences!

    Participate in a Meet & Greet with Bob & Kelli Phillips, hosts of Texas Country Reporter.

    Enjoy a food & wine tasting tour of Texas, catered by On the River, featuring delicious food paired with Texas wines.

    Participate in a silent auction to bid on some fantastic items including a guided fishing trip and purchase raffle tickets to win a cowboy hat stuffed with $1,000 in gift cards and certificates!

    Explore The Center and immerse yourself in Texas-themed programs and activities hosted by our Center partners, including Brazosport Art League, Brazosport Center Stages, Brazosport Museum of Natural Science and Brazosport Planetarium.

    Tickets are $75. Guests must over the age of 21.

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    Brazosport Symphony Orchestra Leadership
    Conductor & Music Director
    Brian Casey
    Concert Master
    Darren Tidwell
    President
    Paula Matzke
    President-elect
    Gary Rodgers
    Recording Secretary
    Rachel Cloeter
    Corresponding Secretary
    Linda Bartholome
    Treasurer
    Pat Quirk
    Vice President
    Susan Zollers
    Council Member
    Neldia Ahlquist
    Council Member
    Ron Bachman
    Council Member
    Wanda Buckner
    Council Member
    Linda Crummel
    Council Member
    Kathy Lee Davis
    Council Member
    Justin Garcia
    Council Member
    Jeri Gibbs
    Council Member
    Dr. Jonathan Grady
    Council Member
    Mingo Marquez
    Council Member
    Brianna Mitchell
    Council Member
    Betty Phillips
    Council Member
    Tere Sandlin
    Council Member
    Torry Tvedt
    Council Member
    Erica Steiner

    Our Programs

    Events Calendar

    Calendar of Events

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