08.09.11 at 1:19 p.m.
Maura Hughes

Idina, RachFest, Ode to Joy, oh my!

Can I make a confession? I got very overwhelmed this week when it came down to write my blog post. When I heard the Houston Symphony had started selling individual tickets for their season, I knew it'd be a great story because I didn't know what the symphony had in store so I thought maybe you didn't either. Well, then I got to researching what the Symphony had in store for us, I was amazed. There is so much! Seriously, they're offering something for everyone!

And then I started to panic. How in the world was I going to get all of this information squeezed into one little blog post? It just didn't seem possible. There was too much. But what was I going to do? You all deserve to know what's going on at the Symphony and with the season it's putting on, the Symphony deserves to be blogged about!

So I did what any professional would do -- had a minor freak out and then started again.

And this is the conclusion I have come to, I am not talented or skilled enough to give you an in-depth synopsis of every performance this season. But I can give you an overview and tell you what show I'm excited to see. And I can also send you straight to the Houston Symphony website so you can go see for yourself all of the awesome stuff they have in store for you! You can do that right here.

The Symphony has kindly divided their season up into four seasons: classical, pops, family and special events. See? I told you there really is something for everyone!

If you're a classical fan, then you probably have already been to the Houston Symphony website and seen what's planned. But I don't care. I'm going to give you a glimpse anyway. In September, the Symphony will be performing Brahms' Violin Concerto. At these performance there will also be a special new piece commemorating the ten year anniversary of 9/11.  In January, there will be a special 3 week festival called RachFest, which will honor the Russian compose, Rachmninoff. And in May, there will be a night of Mozart at Totally Mozart.

And if you're not a classical fan, that is OK because there's the pops season! The one and only Idina Menzel will be performing with the Symphony in October, performing songs from her hit Broadway shows RENT! and Wicked, as well as, from her album, I Stand. If there are any movie buffs out there, make sure you check out The Best of Spielberg and Williams. This performance will honor the Hollywood powerhouse Steven Speilberg and John Williams and feature music from hit movies such as E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark and Saving Private Ryan. And in April, Jim Curry will join the Symphony in a tribute night to the timeless music of John Denver. And don't forget the beloved Very Merry Pops show in December!

And if you've got kids but can't make it to Very Merry Pops? No worries. The Symphony has got some shows for you too! Feel like royalty and come out to Once Upon a Dream: Princes and Princesses. Dress up in your best fairy tale costume and bring the kids to hear the music from the fairytales you love such as Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Aladdin. Or, root root for the home team in April at Perfect Pitch: Music of Baseball where you'll hear the best music of the ballpark and hear Astros' announced, Milo Hamilton narrate "Casey at the Bat."

I like to think every Symphony show is special but there are some that are just a little extra special, I guess. Opening night of the Symphony kicks off in September with a bang with Beethoven's Ode to Joy. Superstar Linda Eder joins the Symphony in December for a night of classic holiday songs. And Earth, Wind and Fire will grace Jones Hall stage to bring their favorites like "Boogie Wonderland" and "Let's Groove" to Houston.

Whew, are you still with me?! I told you it was a lot because I didn't even really scratch the surface! I wish I could have! So do yourself a favor and go the Houston Symphony website to see the full schedule of events! Don't miss out on a show you'll love because I got too overwhelmed and couldn't explain it all! Get on there and buy your tickets today.

And if anyone will be at Once Upon a Dream: Princes and Princesses, I'll be the adult woman dressed as Belle! Justkidding :)

What Houston Symphony performance are you most excited about?

Houston Symphony, Jones Hall