On December 13, 2007, Fidelity Investments and the Houston Symphony unveiled Fidelity FutureStage, a new music education initiative designed to support and strengthen music programs in Houston schools that provides a unique opportunity for underserved student musicians to explore and develop their individual talents.

To celebrate the launch of the new program, Fidelity and the Houston Symphony presented gifts to more than 200 students of Marshall Middle School and Sharpstown High School in the Houston Independent School District, surprising the students with brand-new instruments valued at more than $50,000.

Music students from the two schools gathered at Sharpstown High for a special assembly to hear Houston Symphony musicians perform with the Sharpstown’s own Apollo Band. At the conclusion of the event, more than 40 instruments were presented to the music directors and students of the two schools, including saxophones, trumpets, baritones, clarinets, flutes, french horns, marimbas and percussion kits. To identify the instrument requirements of the two school programs, Fidelity and the Houston Symphony worked with The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that furnishes musical instruments to underserved schools.

In its inaugural year, Fidelity FutureStage will give these students an opportunity to work with Houston Symphony musicians who donate their time to the musician residency programs at Sharpstown and Marshall. The musicians will offer one-on-one and group instruction over the course of 18 weeks, sharing their expertise in instrumental technique and ensemble playing. The program will also arrange field trips for students to attend rehearsals and concerts at Jones Hall. For many of the students, this will be their first opportunity to hear a live orchestral performance.