The Vision

Joy and the Symphony is a premier symphonic performance production featuring powerhouse contralto Joy Norwood with a curated ensemble of elite musicians, led by legendary band director Manny Gonzalez.

We deliver world-class orchestral performances for corporate events, weddings, concerts, and special occasions—bringing the grandeur of symphonic music to moments that matter.

From intimate 12-piece ensembles to full 70-piece orchestras, every performance is crafted with artistic excellence and flawless execution.

 

Joy Norwood | Artistic Director

Joy Norwood is a powerhouse contralto with a rich, commanding vocal range. Extensively trained in classical and contemporary styles, she has performed at venues across Texas, earning recognition for her technical precision, emotional depth, and commanding stage presence.

Beyond performance, Joy is an accomplished entrepreneur and strategic business consultant. Her vision for Joy and the Symphony emerged from a lifelong dream: to perform with a full orchestra, bringing symphonic vocal artistry to audiences who crave something extraordinary.

 

Manny Gonzalez | Music Director & Conductor

Manny Gonzalez brings over 30 years of music education and performance leadership to Joy and the Symphony. As the former band director at Alief Elsik High School, Manny mentored thousands of students—including Grammy-winning artist Lizzo.

Upon retirement, Manny chose to dedicate his expertise to Joy and the Symphony. As Music Director, he creates orchestral arrangements, recruits the ensemble, and conducts all performances.

 

The Symphony

Our ensemble is drawn from Houston's finest musicians—university programs, professional orchestras, and seasoned session players. Every musician is vetted for technical excellence and professionalism.

We scale from 12-piece chamber groups to 70-piece symphonic orchestras, depending on your event needs.

 

Interested in joining our roster? Visit our [Roster page]

 

What Makes Us Different

* Symphonic Scale, Tailored to Your Event - We customize ensemble size and repertoire to fit your vision and venue.

 

* Original + Curated Repertoire - Original arrangements alongside classical, contemporary, and crossover selections.

 

* Flawless Execution - Professional, seamless experience from consultation to final note.

 

* More Than Entertainment - We create moments your guests will remember for years.

Joy and the Symphony is a premier symphonic performance production featuring powerhouse contralto Joy Norwood with a curated ensemble of elite musicians, led by legendary band director Manny Gonzalez (30+ years, mentor to Grammy-winner Lizzo). We provide scalable orchestral performances for corporate events, weddings, concerts, and special occasions in the Houston market and beyond.