Houston Symphony to Present PIXAR IN CONCERT, 7/19-20

On July 19 and 20, for the first time ever, the Houston Symphony will present Pixar in Concert, a performance of music and movie clips from Pixar's award winning animated films. Leading the trip down memory lane, guest conductor Thomas Wilkins will guide audiences through the memorable music as stunning clips are projected on the big screen above the orchestra. Sure to captivate and ignite the imagination of audience members of all ages, the concert will feature music from all 13 iconic Pixar films including the Toy Story trilogy, UP, Wall-E,Brave, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, A Bug's Life, Cars 1 and 2, Monsters, Inc. and The Incredibles. Tickets begin at $15.

During Pixar in Concert, audiences in Jones Hall will have the opportunity to enjoy the classic and timeless film scores in real time performance as they are paired with clips and scenes from corresponding films. From meeting Andy's favorite toys, Woody and Buzz, for the first time in Toy Story to following the quest of a princess who wanted to defy the odds in Brave to learning the power of friendship, honor and love in UP, Pixar's films and their characters have had a lifelong impact and importance on audiences in cinemas across the world.

Conductor Thomas Wilkins has been Music Director of the Omaha Symphony since 2005 and also holds the positions of Principal Guest Conductor with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Germeshausen Family and Youth Concert Conductor chair with the Boston Symphony. Past positions have included Resident Conductor of the Detroit Symphony, the Florida Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the Richmond Symphony. Wilkins also has served on the music faculties of North Park University in Chicago, the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

During his conducting career, Wilkins has led orchestras throughout the United States, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Houston Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony, Utah Symphony and National Symphony in Washington, D.C..

Wilkins' commitment to community has been demonstrated by his participation on several Boards of Directors, including the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Charles Drew Health Center in Omaha, Center Against Spouse Abuse in Tampa Bay, and Museum of Fine Arts and Academy Preparatory Center, both in St. Petersburg, FL. Currently, Wilkins serves as chairman of the board for the Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund and as National Ambassador for the non-profit World Pediatric Project, headquartered in Richmond, VA, which provides children throughout Central America and the Caribbean with critical surgical and diagnostic care.

A native of Norfolk, VA, Thomas Wilkins is a graduate of the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He resides with his wife Sheri-Lee in Omaha. They are the proud parents of twin daughters, Erica and Nicole.

During the 2013-14 Season, the Houston Symphony celebrates its 100th year as one of America's leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. The Houston Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas whose inaugural performance was held at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston on June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $30.4 million, the full-time ensemble of 87 professional musicians is the largest performing arts organization in Houston, presenting more than 280 concerts for 280,000 people, including 84,000 children, annually. For tickets and more information, please visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.

Photo Courtesy of DisneyPixar

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