The Moores School of Music’s new series Fridays at Moores continues with “Murder Mystery: Murder in the MOH — Whodunit?” by AURA Contemporary Ensemble on March 2. Blending chamber music with live theatre, the performance delivers an entertaining evening of murder, mystery and intrigue.

“I’m always seeking interesting themes for AURA concerts,” says the ensemble’s director Rob Smith. Past concerts have explored ideas ranging from metamorphosis and change to traveling road shows, with each new theme presenting unique challenges and possibilities.

Inspired by the work “Murder Ballades,” a seven-movement piece by The National’s Bryce Dessner that draws on 19th-century folk songs, AURA’s “Murder Mystery: Murder in the MOH — Whodunit?” incorporates text from the original source material into the concert.

“I decided to pair each movement with text from the song or idea it was based on,” explains Smith. He also invited Susan Koozin, a Houston actor known for her “admirable versatility,” to add an interdisciplinary dimension to the performance.

“Susan was the perfect choice,” says Smith, pointing to Koozin’s wealth of experience as an actor and director. “She has the ability to perform everything from serious drama to slapstick comedy.” 

As Koozin delivers dynamic monologues and, later, even takes on the role of detective, the performance explores murder mysteries from the perspective of murderer, victim, suspect and sleuth.

“Murder Mystery: Murder in the MOH — Whodunit?” is sponsored in part by the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. Get tickets at uh.edu/artstickets and watch a sneak peek of the performance below!