UH Concert Chorale Invited To City Hall Holiday Celebration, German Choir Competition

The holidays are around the corner, but the University of Houston’s Moores Concert Chorale already has reason to celebrate. On Friday, Nov. 30, the vocal ensemble will make its debut at the annual Mayor’s Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting. Adding to the group’s festive mood on Friday is the recent news that it has been selected for the 2013 International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany.

UH’s Moores Concert Chorale is the university’s premiere large choral ensemble consisting of mainly junior and senior music majors. In Houston, the group has a devoted following through its numerous performances on campus and in the community. It also has earned international acclaim following winning performances at festivals in Wales and France.

For its performance on Friday, the group will deliver a version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” and “The Last Christmas” (featured on NBC’s “Glee”). The Mayor’s Holiday Celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. in front of city hall. For more details on the event, see the City of Houston’s official release.

“We’re delighted to participate in this major event that will kick off the holidays in Houston,” said Betsy Cook Weber, director the Moores Concert Chorale. “We look forward to performing on a city stage and being part of a Houston tradition.”

The Concert Chorale delivers many performances throughout the Houston area and has expanded its musical reach into Europe. From May 17 – 22, it will participate in the 13th annual International Chamber Choir Competition in Germany. The ensemble is one of only 10 international choirs to be selected for this exclusive competition. Since its inception, the event has showcased more than 160 choirs from 36 countries in concerts and competitions. For more details on the event, visit its website.

The Concert Chorale’s appearance at this event complements previous international visits. In 2009, it participated in Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. At that festival, the group earned first place in the chamber choir competition. In 2011, the group was selected for Florilege Vocal de Tours in Tours, France. During that competition, the Concert Chorale earned second place in the mixed choirs competition and received honors for Best New Creation (for a performance of Moores School of Music director David Ashley White’s “I Cannot Live With You”).

 “I continue to be gratified by the international response to the Concert Chorale's performances,” Weber said. “It is an honor to be selected for international competition on three occasions. These invitations are highly coveted. To receive a single opportunity like this is wonderful … to receive three invitations is truly remarkable.”

The Moores Concert Chorale is among the ensembles based within the Moores School of Music. Other award-winning groups include the Moores School Symphony Orchestra, Moores Jazz Ensemble, Moores Opera Center, Concert Women's Chorus, Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble.

The Moores School of Music offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. It serves approximately 600 students annually. Areas of study include composition, conducting, performance, theory and musicology. Its faculty consists of internationally recognized performers, composers and scholars. A majority of the school's concerts are performed in the 800-seat Moores Opera House. For more details on the Moores School of Music, visit http://www.music.uh.edu/.

 

 

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