ROCO - Houston Chamber Orchestra

ROCO is a dynamic and innovative professional chamber orchestra, comprising between 1 to 40 musicians from across the US and Canada, and featuring guest conductors from around the world. Having premiered over 130 new works, ROCO stands as one of the most prolific commissioning organizations in the United States. We are proud to say that the ROCO is part of the Symphony.live family of orchestras.

Learn more about ROCO below ⇓

About ROCO

Known as “the most fun you can have with serious music,” ROCO was founded in 2005 at The Church of St. John the Divine by oboist and Juilliard graduate Alecia Lawyer. Drawing on her experiences with other musical start-ups, she recognized the need for a sustainable and thriving model that would foster genuine connections between musicians and audiences. Her approach, termed “Wildcatting in the Arts,” has flourished through a vibrant and multi-talented team, establishing ROCO’s reputation for its commitment to living and diverse composers, multigenerational audiences, and free access to classical music.

A 2019 study by the Institute for Composer Diversity found that ROCO ranked #1 in the US for performing works by women and #2 for works by composers of color. ROCO’s debut album, "Visions Take Flight," earned a GRAMMY® Award for Producer of the Year, Blanton Alspaugh.

ROCO is renowned for shaping the future of classical music, often described as an “arts disruptor” and “trailblazer.” Emphasizing access as its highest value, ROCO offers many concert tickets on a Pay-What-You-Wish basis and performs in multiple venues to take audiences on a musical tour of Houston. ROCO began free worldwide livestreaming in 2013, maintaining a full season of programming during the COVID-19 pandemic, which garnered over 250,000 views. Live audio recordings from concerts are regularly broadcast nationally on American Public Media’s “Performance Today” and are available for free listening in ROCO’s Listening Room and on popular music streaming services.

The innovative ROCO on the Go! initiative integrates music into the community with QR codes on signs in parks, hospitals, and schools throughout Houston, linking to recordings from a vast library of past performances. With over 35,000 scans, this initiative ensures broad access to music. To cultivate a multigenerational audience, the ROCOrooters music education and childcare program offers music and a date night for caregivers. Additionally, "The Nightingale," ROCO’s newly published children’s book, uniquely delivers interactive music and narration via QR codes.

You can find their content shared on their YouTube channel, Facebook, Instagram

Go to the ROCO website

Go to the ROCO performances