A lecia Lawyer doesn’t just play the oboe. She plays with expectations. The Houston-based musician and founder of River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) has built an orchestra known as much for its daring spirit as its musical excellence. Now, she’s leading ROCO into its 21st season with a new honor that underscores her impact on Texas’s cultural landscape.

The Texas State Legislature, in partnership with the Texas Commission on the Arts, named Lawyer the inaugural 2025 Texas State Musician–Classical. The new category recognizes Texas luminaries in classical music, including the renowned soprano and Shepherd School of Music professor Ana Maria Martinez , who will hold the title in 2026.

A Real Texas Honor

Alecia Lawyer’s roots in Texas music run deep. In 2009, she was a finalist for Tex

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