Texas Medical Center Orchestra was founded in 2000, and is one of the few community orchestras in the United States to be based in the medical community. Each year, TMCO performs concerts in the Grain Garden Lobby of Houston Methodist Hospital and various locations within the Texas Medical Center.

The mission of the orchestra is to provide health care professionals with a high-quality outlet for creative expression through the world of symphonic music; perform regularly at affordable concerts that are open to the public and in an accessible venue; attract a diverse audience by commitments to select popular programming reflecting Houston’s diversity; and bring public attention to, and provide programmatic support for, medically related and/or educational charities.

We are pleased to announce that the Texas Medical Center Orchestra (TMCO) has been awarded The American Prize as the best community based orchestra in the United States for the 2016-2017 season.  Recently, TMCO won Third Place in The American Prize ERNST BACON MEMORIAL AWARD in the Performance of American Music, community division 2016. This award was for their performances of Bernstein - Candide Overture, Ron Nelson – Savannah River Holiday and Grofe –Mississippi Suite.

The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit national competitions in the performing artsproviding cash awards, professional adjudication and regional, national and international recognition for the best recorded performances by ensembles and individuals each year in the United States at the professional, college/university, church, community and secondary school levels. Administered by Hat City Music Theater, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Danbury, Connecticut, The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually. The competitions of The American Prize are open to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others currently living, working and/or studying in the United States of America, its protectorates and territories.  

Established in November 2000, Texas Medical Center Orchestra (TMCO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is one of very few community orchestras in the United States and the world with its origin in the health professions. It includes physicians, dentists, nurses, medical students, biomedical scientists, social workers and other allied health professionals who are dedicated to making music.  The Orchestra currently has 87 members.

The Mission of the orchestra is to provide health care professionals with a high-quality outlet for creative expression through the world of symphonic music; perform regularly at affordable concerts that are open to the public and in an accessible venue; attract a diverse audience by commitments to select popular programming reflecting Houston’s diversity; and bring public attention to, and provide programmatic support for, medically related and/or educational charities. 

Russian-born conductor Libi Lebel, founder and artistic director of TMCO, has a strong and growing reputation in the music world. Ms. Lebel has been listed as one of the 50 most influential women in Houston. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Julliard School of Music and Westminster Choir College, in piano performance and conducting. Conducting appearances in New Jersey, New York, Texas, Russia and Romania have been met with high praise. In 2013, conductor Lebel led the TMCO in a well-received program at Carnegie Hall.

For information on upcoming concerts, please visit our website.

Ken Sebek, President – tmco.ksebek@gmail.com
www.tmcorchestra.org