This year, February 14, 2025, marked the 40th anniversary of Whitney Houston’s iconic career within music and entertainment. The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and its partner, Primary Wave Music, along with Park Avenue Artists, are set to debut a never-before-seen concert experience: The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration. This one-of-a-kind performance will feature remastered recordings paired with full symphonic arrangements that offer fans a chance to hear Whitney’s greatest hits in a stunning new way. The show will also feature unseen video footage of Whitney, interviews, and historic performances.
The concert’s next stop lands in Music City on Wednesday, June 25, when the Nashville Symphony, conducted by Sean Mayes, takes the stage at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The North American tour officially kicks off this fall, with stops including the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra in September and additional dates planned through 2026.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister and executor of her estate, to gain insight into the upcoming performance.
When asked how this collaboration with the Nashville Symphony came to be Houston shared:
“Once an artist is not here anymore, you’re always looking for ways to commemorate and continue to build a legacy. Everybody fell in love with Whitney Houston, and it was a no-brainer, given the mark she has left globally. When Whitney was with us, a symphony and orchestra was always a beautiful platform for her. So when the opportunity came up, we thought about it, and here we are. We couldn’t have chosen a better partner to collaborate with to make this happen.”
The show is more than just a performance, rather, an immersive tribute designed to feel as though Whitney herself is guiding the experience. When asked if she could share insight into any special guests expected at the Nashville performance, Houston said:
“Her brother Gary will definitely be there. Gary performed with Whitney for more than 30 years and is certainly still a part of her legacy. To me, the special guest is Whitney Houston, along with the symphony, because she is narrating the show herself with never-before-seen footage. To see Whitney on screen speaking about her music and her career. It’s so beautifully done. But they will have to be surprised by what they see.”
When asked if Whitney had any special connection to Nashville, Houston added:
“Yes, of course, and that ties into the other special guests who might possibly be there. She had a great relationship with CeCe Winans. There is a piece within the program that evening of Whitney and CeCe singing ‘Count on Me’ with the orchestra.”
For more information and updates on The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration North America Tour and Whitney Houston’s Historic 40th Anniversary, please visit the website and follow Houston’s social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.