GPAC: A Game Changer For Huntsville, TX

By Cheval John

The Houston Symphony is one of the most recognizable orchestra in America and the world.

Every year, they perform concerts for thousands of people in the Houston area.

In their 100th year of operation, the Houston Symphony is getting better than ever.*

Recently, they held a concert in Huntsville, Texas.

You are reading that right, Huntsville, a small city located an hour north of Houston and has a population of close to 40,000.

You might be wondering: “Why on earth would they travel north to give a concert in Huntsville?”

The main reason is because of the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center (GPAC), located on the campus of Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in Huntsville.

James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center (GPAC)

James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center (GPAC)

Opened in 2010, the GPAC is an 100,000 square foot building that houses the 800-seat David and Grettle Payne Concert Hall, where the Symphony performed, the 175-seat Recital Hall and the 160-seat Dance Theater.

Emily Binetti, Marketing Coordinator for SHSU’s College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication, says that the GPAC is a game-changer for the School of Music and the city of Huntsville.

“I think the School of Music is able to bring in more world-class guest artist like the Houston Symphony because of the beautiful Gaertner Performing Arts Center facility that we now have,” Binetti said. “The event that they just performed here, is an example of the kind of cultural offerings that we’re able to bring to the Huntsville community here at Sam Houston.”

The residents of Huntsville and the university community got an opportunity to hear the Symphony’s rendition of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” a 1723 violin concertos that is the most recognizable piece in the world.

The concert was led by violin soloist, Frank Huang.

Huang, a faculty member at Rice University, has performed around the world with orchestras that includes: the Cleveland and Genoa Orchestras, the NDR Radio Philharmonic of Hannover, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Saint Paul and Amadeus! Chamber Orchestras and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.*

In addition, Huang made national appearance on NPR’s Performance Today, Good Morning America and CNN’s American Morning.

You would even be more surprised to find out that it was the Houston Symphony’s third time to perform in Huntsville in the last four years.

My guess is that they love the quality sound of GPAC’s concert hall.

GPAC's David and Grettle Payne Concert Hall

GPAC’s David and Grettle Payne Concert Hall

One thing is certain: It’s a huge benefit for Huntsville residents because they get a quality performance from one of the most recognizable orchestras in the world at nearly half the price.

It also elevates Huntsville as a hidden treasure for the performing arts.

“In the past 20 years, Huntsville’s arts scene has grown tremendously, especially for a small community like we have,” Binetti said. “The Houston Symphony concert is a good example of the events that Huntsville wants more of and that the School of Music is able to provide.”

*Both videos are courtesy of Houston Symphony Orchestra

About Cheval John

Cheval John is the Founder and CEO of Vallano Media, LLC, a marketing agency which helps small to mid-sized businesses use social media correctly to build a loyal following and in the process become more profitable. Cheval is also the host of "What's The Word?" a podcast about finding out what inspires people to choose their respective careers and how social media impacted their lives and business. He is the author of two books including the Amazon Best-Seller, "8 Lessons Every Podcaster Needs To Learn." He has spoken at Social Media Week Lima in Ohio and at Social Media Day Houston 2017 about topics around live streaming and podcasting. Cheval has been featured in media outlets including Ebony Magazine, Social Media Today and Forbes. He was named a Houston Top 25 Social Media Power Influencer (2016 and 2017) and a Twitter Top 50 Influencer by Onalytica in 2018.

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