Concert Chorale
Dr. Betsy Cook Weber, director

The Moores School Concert Chorale is the University of Houston’s premiere large choral ensemble. The group has been under the direction of Betsy Cook Weber since 2002. Since that time the group has appeared as an invited choir before the 2004 national convention of the American Musicological Society, the 2005 and 2008 Texas Music Educators Association conventions, and the 2007 American Choral Directors Association national convention in Miami. The choralnet.org blog described their Miami performances as “absolutely outstanding” and “stunning.” Chorale members traveled to compete at the Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales this past summer, and were invited to represent the United States at this prestigious festival's opening night concert. At that world-reknowned festival, Chorale won or placed in every category in which they entered, including a first price in the most coveted category of all, Chamber Choir.

The goal of the Moores School of Music is to prepare singers who are strong musicians possessed of a secure vocal technique that will enable them to succeed wherever vocal opportunity presents itself. Recently, in addition to numerous concerts of standard choral repertoire, Chorale members have sung in productions of The Saint of Bleecker Street (Menotti), The Ghost of Versailles (Corigliano), Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach), and Grapes of Wrath Gordon), Carmina Burana, Verdi's Requiem, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection). They have sung in masterclass with Joseph Flummerfelt, Charles Bruffy, and for the men’s vocal ensemble, Cantus. A number of singers were featured in the NBC television show Clash of the Choirs, filmed in New York City December, 2007, and Chorale members were featured at the Latiin Grammys Lifetime Achievement Awards in November, 2008. Because of the school’s enviable location in one of the country’s most active musical and cultural centers, these students are active as paid soloists, section leaders, and directors of church choirs, and they often teach voice privately in the public schools. When schedules permit, they may be seen singing with the Mercury Baroque, Cantare, the Houston Symphony Chorus, and the Houston Chamber Choir.

Concert Chorale, Spring 2007

Chorale Section Leaders, 2009

Comments from ACDA audience members:

“Your performance with the Concert Chorale at the ACDA Convention in Miami was superb! Everyone I know who attended the convention and heard your Chorale (including colleagues from Michigan, Texas, New England, and current students at Rhode Island College) listed them as one of their favorite performing ensembles at the convention. I was blown away!..." --Teresa S. Coffman, DMA, Associate Professor of Music, Rhode Island College

From www.choralnet.org blog: ACDA Report: University of Houston Simply Outstanding "I heard the University of Houston Concert Choir (sic) today and I want to 'tell the world' that they were absolutely stunning… In my opinion, they had it all: Balanced, rounded program, superb technique, musically interpreted, emotionally moving… If you ever have the opportunity, take a listen to Houston 's Concert Choir conducted by Betsy Cook Weber. It was my first time to meet her and hear the group sing. I hope it isn't my last." --posted by Philip L. Copeland, DMA, Director of Choral Activities, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Additional information: course no. MUSI 1121 | large ensemble credit for music majors | Fine Arts CORE credit for non-majors Meets: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 1:00–2:30, in the Choral Rehearsal Hall. Auditions are held by appointment; contact Dr. Weber at 713 743 3194 or by email. Information on audition dates will be posted on the choral ensembles home page.