Navy Man Honored in a Touching River Oaks Moment

What: River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) post-concert dinner

Where: River Oaks Country Club

PC Moment: Following the opening season concert, not all of the musicians set aside their instruments for dinner. Four members of ROCO’s brass section performed a rendition of “The Navy Hymn” in memory of honoree Evelyn Howell’s late husband, Paul Howell, who served in the Navy. The Howells have been long-term supporters of the 40-piece professional chamber orchestra almost since its founding in 2005 by Alecia Lawyer, a Julliard trained musician. Lawyer serves as artistic director and principal oboe.

The goal of the orchestra is “to present unexpected classics, original compositions and delightful performances that dissolve the barriers between audience and orchestra.” As such, each table in the country club ballroom included a musician who could share the musical love with dinner guests.

Who: Chairs Cora Bess Meyer and Lucy and Vic Kormeier; ROCO managing director Amy Gibbs, guest conductor Victor Yampolsky, guest composer Paul Lansky percussion soloist Matt McClung, concertmaster Scott St. John plus guests including John Bradshaw Jr., Leslie and Jack Blanton, Ginger Blanton, Regina Rogers, Patte and Paul Comstock, Sarah and Doug McMurrey Jr., Leslye and David Weaver, Melissa and Mark Hobbs, Kerry Lynch and Dean Slocum, Mimi Loyd, and Helen and Chris Ross.