Friends of Moores at the Moores School of Music in the University of Houston Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts proudly announces the success of its recent luncheon, held on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Moores Opera House. The event celebrated the launch of the new Music Therapy program and honored J. Todd Fraizier and our partnership with The Center for Performing Arts Medicine at Houston Methodist.
The event featured performances from the internationally recognized Moores School of Music Concert Chorale led by Dr. Anthony Maglione, faculty member and affiliate artist in guitar, Jeremy Garcia, and recent winners of the Moores School of Music Concerto Competition, Ashley Wang, Cello, and Grace Roman, Soprano.
Thanks to the generosity of attendees and donors, the luncheon raised almost $70,000 that directly supports the Moores School of Music, which welcomed its inaugural undergraduate Music Therapy cohort in Fall 2025. This groundbreaking program is the first of its kind in the city of Houston and is made possible with a partnership with the Fertitta Family College of Medicine.
“We were honored to welcome our valued Friends of the Moores School of Music and to celebrate the launch of this innovative Music Therapy Program. This collaboration with Houston Methodist, the Fertitta Family College of Medicine, and the broader Texas Medical Center is unique and exciting as we establish a new research center in arts and medicine and offer professional training in Music Therapy,” said Brian Kai Chin, DMA, director of the Moores School of Music and Margaret M. Alkek & Margaret Alkek Williams Endowed Chair. “Our new hire, Dr. Ed Roth, is a nationally recognized leader in research and pedagogy in this field, and there is no doubt in my mind that this will quickly become one of the preeminent Music Therapy programs in the world.”
Friends of Moores remains committed to ensuring that each student in the Moores School of Music has access to high-quality music education, regardless of background. The funds will support the education of the next generation of musicians and music therapists, extending music’s healing potential to countless individuals and families.