The Rothko Chapel is partnering with Ocean Music Action, a new nonprofit led by Houston Symphony Principal Harpist Megan Conley, to bring members of the Grammy-nominated chamber orchestra The Knights to Houston for a weekend of music and community service.

In observance of Earth Day, this program will feature live music performances, dance, and a visual art display, all inspired by the ocean. Music will include Toward the Sea by Toru Takemitsu and the Trio for Flute, Viola, and Harp by Claude Debussy. Four Knights musicians Colin Jacobsen, violin/viola; Megan Conley, harp; Shawn Conley, bass; and Alex Sopp, flute, will perform beside the Rothko Chapel reflecting pool as the sun sets. They will be joined by Brooklyn-based dancer and choreographer Maile Okamura, with artwork on display outdoors by local marine conservation artist Janavi Mahimtura Folmsbee.

The morning following the concert, Saturday April 23rd, attendees are invited to join the musicians and artists for a volunteer cleanup in downtown Houston through the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Participants will join together toward the common goal of cleaner waterways for all, helping to protect one of our city’s most valuable resources: water.

About The Knights The Knights are a collective of adventurous musicians dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audiences and music. Driven by an open-minded spirit of camaraderie and exploration, they inspire listeners with vibrant programs that encompass their roots in the classical tradition and their passion for artistic discovery. Described as “one of Brooklyn’s sterling cultural products…known for their relaxed virtuosity and expansive repertory” (The New Yorker), their roster boasts musicians of diverse talents who each bring a range of cultural influences to the group, from jazz and klezmer to pop and indie rock music. The orchestra has toured and recorded with renowned soloists including Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Béla Fleck, and Gil Shaham, and has appeared across the world’s most prestigious stages, including those at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, Ravinia, The Kennedy Center, the Elbphilharmonie, and the Vienna Musikverein.