UH Concert Chorale, Fall 2023
The world-renowned Moores School Concert Chorale at the University of Houston has been named one of the “20 Most Impressive College Choirs” in the country by College Rank, coming in at No. 10 on the list.
“Being recognized as one of the most impressive college choirs is a testament to the dedication, talent and passion of our singers,” said Betsy Cook Weber, professor of choral studies and director of the Concert Chorale. “This is further validation for what we do, all of the hard work we put in and the pride we take bringing our best every day.”
According to College Rank, the choirs were selected based on competition results, world rankings, touring, historical significance, performance schedule and audition competitiveness. Mount San Antonio College in California was ranked No. 1, followed by Pacific Lutheran University in Washington and Saint Olaf College in Minnesota.
“When people think about the best choirs, we are on their list and they are talking about us,” Weber said. “That helps a lot with recruiting both the undergraduate and graduate-level students, and it helps with community support as well.”
The UH Concert Chorale features approximately 48 singers who undergo a rigorous audition process each year. It is mostly made up of sophomore, junior and senior music majors, and all auditionees must have spent at least one semester performing with one of the Moores School of Music’s other vocal ensembles.
In addition to performing several times per year on campus, the Concert Chorale is in high demand as featured performers at conferences across the country. The choir is also a staple on the global competition stage, having won or taken second or third place in every competition they have entered, including wins at the Grand Prix of Nations in Germany and the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition in Hungary, and multiple gold, silver and bronze medals at the famed Eisteddfod in Wales.
“This summer, we are going to the Ave Verum competition near Vienna, Austria, where we will be the only U.S. choir competing,” Weber said.
But it’s an upcoming concert with the entire Moores School choral program on April 29 that will be most meaningful for Weber, her swan song so to speak, as she plans to leave UH after more than two decades to join the Houston Chamber Choir as artistic director and conductor.
“For the past few years, I’ve been thinking about when the best time for me to step down might be, and that time is now,” Weber said. “But I know my successor will be someone really good, who really wants to be at the University of Houston, and they’ll inherit an outstanding program with wonderful students.”