The Anniversary Concert program is highlighted by Beethoven's Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80. Popularly known as the Choral Fantasy, it was written in 1808 to supply a brilliant ending to an all-Beethoven program that included the premieres of both the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies.

An opening piano solo, first improvised by Beethoven and later written down, will be performed by special guest pianist Timothy Hester of  University of Houston. The performance also marks the Houston Youth Symphony's first collaboration with the Houston Masterworks Chorus.

Led by artistic director and conductor Michael Webster, the Houston Youth Symphony is a full orchestra of 94 musicians between the ages of 12 and 19 coming together from almost 50 different area schools.