Now is the time to make your reservations for Young Texas Artists’ (YTA’s) 40th anniversary party, “The Stars at Night,” a better-than-ever Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue celebration. The evening features live dancing, barbecue, a live auction, and YTA’s Spring Art Show & Sale.
The festivities take place at YTA’s Grand Pavilion, which will be set up in front of Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main St. in the Downtown Conroe Cultural District.
Following the gala, guests can walk into the theater for the music competition’s Finalists’ Concert & Awards, followed by YTA’s After Party — the evening’s grand finale — back in the Grand Pavilion.
This year, gifts to YTA will go twice as far. In honor of its 40th season, YTA has announced a $50,000 Matching Challenge from long-time benefactors that will double every gift made to the organization, dollar for dollar, through Feb. 10, 2025.
Double the Opportunity
“Community support is our foundation, part of our legacy,” YTA President/CEO Susie Moore Pokorski said. “We’ve always welcomed donors and volunteers to join our efforts to encourage excellence in emerging classical musicians and inspire Texas audiences. Now, as we celebrate 40 years of competitions, people who want to support our mission can double their impact through this matching campaign.”
YTA’s goal is to raise $100,000 by the Feb. 10 deadline. Proceeds will support the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, along with audience expansion, performance opportunities, and career development services.
“Don’t miss this opportunity to capture tax benefits for this year and support classical music well into the future,” Pokorski said.
The YTA $50,000 Challenge Leadership Team includes Carol and Dr. Douglas Aycock, Nancy Dossey, Leland and Jeri Dushkin, Richard and Ann Griffin, Fahima and Christian Hart, Margaret Adams Madeley, Ann K. McAlpin, Charline Muller, Marla Myers, James A. Pokorski, Ken and Terri Sebek, and Sue and Joe Warren.
Pokorski announced the matching challenge during Classic Cabaret, a sold-out dinner concert that officially kicked off YTA’s 2024-2025 season. The evening, a magical affair, featured performances by renowned concert pianist James Dick and soprano Krista Renée Pape, YTA’s 2024 Gold Medalist in the Voice division — and now a 2025 Grammy Award nominee (see our article below for details).
Exciting Season Continues
Also this season, YTA is continuing its “Classical Music and Art Through the Centuries” lecture series for YTA Circle members, a group for YTA supporters. The series, facilitated by Joseph Staley, artistic director of YTA’s fine arts division, explores the connections between visual art and classical music.
The next presentation, “Music & the Human Experience, will be presented by Dr. Emelyne Bingham, YTA’s artistic director. It takes place 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at The Madeley Fine Art Gallery, 127 Simonton St. in downtown Conroe.
The wine and cheese lecture series continues at the same time and location with “Renaissance Art & Music,” on Sunday, Feb. 9, and “Baroque & Neo-Classical Art & Music” on Thursday, April 10.
YTA Circle members are also invited to attend YTA Circle’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner & Competition Preview on Sunday, Jan. 19, also featuring Bingham.
To reserve gala tickets, visit https://youngtexasartists.org/2025-bbb-reservations.
To join YTA Circle, visit https://youngtexasartists.org/yta-circle.