Montgomery County celebrated the season with two unforgettable musical events at the First Methodist Church in Conroe. The Conroe Symphony Orchestra’s "Christmas Around the World" concert and the Montgomery County Choral Society’s performance of "Gloria!" brought festive cheer and showcased the area’s rich musical talent.
Conroe's festive spirit came alive in December as the Montgomery County Choral Society (MCCS) and the Conroe Symphony Orchestra (CSO) presented their extraordinary skills in separate events at the First Methodist Church. These performances brought Montgomery County's rich cultural vitality via music front and center.
The CSO thrilled listeners with its "Christmas Around the World" concert on December 14. Featuring carols from other countries like Ireland, Italy and Austria, the concert gave traditional holiday music fresh insights. The evening gained character and depth from vocalists Sonja Bruzaukas, Annie Voorhees, Steven Bogard, and tubist Roberto Gaitan. Highlights were Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" and "Silent Night," presented in several languages, including a magnificent harp solo by Hannah Rother.
Under Jim Kritikos, the new Artistic Director, the Montgomery County Choral Society presented "The Sacred Music of Sir John Rutter: Gloria!" on December 6. Working with The Woodlands Jazz Knights, the choir produced a harmonic mix of instrumentation and vocals. The evening's focal point, Rutter's "Gloria," highlighted the ensemble's ability and Kritikos' leadership.
Both presentations displayed the value of excellent musical artistry in the community and received great applause for the exceptional display of talents.
Looking ahead, the MCCS presents "Ties That Bind" on February 28; the CSO will do "Great Expectations" on February 8. Attend their events or donate via their websites, conroesymphony.org and Mcchoral.org, to help these groups.
A Montgomery County man, Ramon Figueroa Jr., 22, has been sentenced to life in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and 20 years for Online Solicitation of a Minor. The sentencing follows a detailed investigation revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior using social media to target minor.
Conroe ISD is inviting community feedback on the 2025-26 spring break dates following concerns about alignment with Lone Star College and other institutions. A final decision will be discussed in January.