ANDRES OROZCO-ESTRADA TO CONDUCT HOUSTON SYMPHONY FOR THE FIRST TIME AS MUSIC DIRECTOR DESIGNATE

On October 17, 18, 19 and 20, the Houston Symphony's Music Director Designate Andrés Orozco-Estrada will return to Houston for the first time since his announcement on January 16 as the Symphony's next Music Director. Committed to engaging Symphony audiences, the Colombian-born and Vienna-trained conductor will lead a performance at Sugar Land Baptist Church as part of the Symphony's Sugar Land Series in addition to three concerts at Jones Hall, which include an ACCESS concert on Friday. In addition to the Symphony's performances of Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2, accomplished and unrivaled violinist Midori will dazzle audiences with Mendelssohn's virtuosic Violin Concerto at all four performances.

The third season of the Houston Symphony's Sugar Land Series, which includes performances of Midori Plays Mendelssohn, Handel's Messiah and Vivaldi's Four Seasons Featuring Frank Huang, reaches patrons in the vibrant community of Ft. Bend County and expands the geographic horizons of the Houston Symphony. All performances take place at Sugar Land Baptist Church.

During Friday's ACCESS concert at Jones Hall, which conveniently begins and ends earlier, NPR's Morning Edition music commentator Miles Hoffman will provide engaging commentary throughout the concert. Following the performance, audience members can stay and participate in a question-and-answer session with Orozco-Estrada, Hoffman and Midori on the Jones Hall stage.

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.