The Houston Symphony’s classical subscription series concerts Sept. 27 and 28 marked an early highlight for the Shepherd School of Music’s newest faculty, whose performances drew standing ovations from the audience.
Harpist Allegra Lilly, associate professor of harp, joined flutist Jasmine Choi in a performance of Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp. It marked her solo debut with the symphony after joining as principal harp in February 2023. Violinist David Chan, who recently began his role as professor of violin at the Shepherd School after 25 years as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, appeared as guest concertmaster for the program. His collaboration with the symphony continued across the next two subscription series weekends, further strengthening the long-standing ties between the Houston Symphony and the Shepherd School.
Thirty-one musicians in the Houston Symphony hold Shepherd School degrees, and students often perform with the orchestra as substitutes. The two institutions partner through the Brown Foundation Community-Embedded Fellowship program in which symphony musicians mentor graduate students, and several current faculty members also perform with the symphony, extending a long tradition of collaboration.