Photography by E.F. Marton Productions
Something new is taking shape in San Antonio, built around a simple idea: extraordinary musicians deserve a place to thrive, and a great city deserves extraordinary music.
Harmonium of Texas is a new professional orchestra created to bring world-class performances, meaningful educational opportunities, and artistic collaboration to San Antonio. Its beginnings were not the vision of any one person. Harmonium grew from conversations among Artistic Director Jeffrey Kahane and local music lovers and philanthropists who shared a belief in the remarkable musical talent already here and the community’s desire for great music-making.
“Harmonium of Texas came into being out of two inextricably intertwined impulses: a strong feeling that the superb musical talent that exists here deserves an opportunity to perform on a regular basis on a stable foundation, and an equally strong awareness that there is a powerful hunger among music-lovers in this city for a steady diet of great music and great music-making,” Kahane says.
That commitment begins here in San Antonio. Harmonium’s orchestra is made up overwhelmingly of professional musicians who live, work, perform, and teach in San Antonio and the surrounding region. Many are educators and mentors to the next generation, so supporting Harmonium also strengthens the musicians who contribute to San Antonio’s cultural life every day and its future.
The name Harmonium reflects the organization’s larger purpose. A harmonium is a small keyboard instrument designed primarily to create harmony.
“We liked the idea of thinking of the orchestra as having been created specifically for the purpose of fostering harmony, to bring musicians and music-lovers together with a deeply shared sense of community and purpose,” Kahane explains.
That spirit extends beyond the orchestra. Harmonium is collaborating across San Antonio’s artistic and educational community with organizations including Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, San Antonio Mastersingers, Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, San Antonio Chamber Choir, UT San Antonio Chamber Singers and San Antonio Youth Ballet.
Education is equally central to the mission. This season, young musicians from YOSA will perform side-by-side with Harmonium and internationally celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma, providing an extraordinary opportunity to learn alongside one of the world’s most renowned musicians. Harmonium also seeks to engage young audiences and adults who want to deepen their understanding of music.
Artistically, Harmonium’s programming reaches beyond the traditional classical canon while bringing celebrated artists to San Antonio and creating opportunities for local musicians to perform alongside them. The inaugural season begins October 2 with Carmina Burana and continues with artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell and Emanuel Ax.
“We want this cultural treasure to be easily accessible to anyone and everyone,” Kahane says. “We firmly believe that with a measured and sustainable approach, over time Harmonium will not only be nationally recognized but will become a potent symbol of San Antonio’s magnificent cultural tapestry.”
For Harmonium, that future starts here, with San Antonio’s musicians, its audiences, and a community united by the belief that harmony can create something greater than any single voice could accomplish alone.
For more information, visit www.harmoniumoftexas.org
