Education, Entertainment at Heart of UH Texas Music Festival

Traditions run deep in the Lone Star State, and one that continues to entertain music enthusiasts and educate student musicians is the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival (TMF).

Since 1990, the University of Houston's Moores School of Music has presented this four-week extravaganza that attracts some of the world's finest musicians to the city for concerts, clinics and master classes. This year's festival runs June 2 - July 3 and includes performances from guest artists such as pianist Janina Fialkowska, violinist Lucie Robert, pianist Jeffery Cohen, violinist Kyung Sun Lee and cellist Edward Arron. The event also features performances from the TMF Orchestra and TMF Jazz Project.

"While the festival remains a unique Texas treasure, its reputation extends throughout the country and around the globe," said David Ashley White, director of MSM. "We're pleased to see this event grow with each passing year, and even more delighted to see its impact on young musicians."

Immanuel and Helen Olshan founded the festival as a four-week orchestral fellowship program dedicated to developing the talents of student musicians. Since then, TMF has attracted students from around the globe and entertained local audiences with performances ranging from chamber music to jazz.

Distinguished MSM faculty members are among the professionals overseeing TMF's clinics and master classes. Other participants include members of the Houston Symphony and visiting artists. Students are accepted to the festival based on live and taped auditions.

Ticket prices for performances vary, and some are free for the public. For ticket information, call the Moores box office at (713) 743-3313.

WHAT: 2008 Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival
WHEN: Concerts will be performed June 2 - July 3. For a detailed list of times, dates and locations, visit http://www.class.uh.edu/music/texasmusicfestival/seasonschedule.asp or call (713) 743-3167.
WHERE: Moores School of Music
University of Houston - Entrance 16
WHO: University of Houston/Moores School of Music


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