CHOIRS

Concert Chorale

Few collegiate choirs have achieved the record of excellence enjoyed by the University of Houston Concert Chorale. Under the direction of renowned Director Emeritus Betsy Cook Weber from 2002-2024, Chorale has performed at four TMEA conventions, two national ACDA conventions (Miami and Minneapolis), and one national NCCO convention as the featured choir (Baton Rouge). They have competed in eight prestigious international choral competitions, the Eisteddfod in Wales, the Florilége in France, Marktoberdorf International Choir Competition in Germany, the World Grand Prix in Magdeburg, Germany, the Bela Bartok in Hungary, the European Grand Prix in Italy, the Grieg in Norway and Cantarode in the Netherlands. They have won or placed in every competition in which they have participated. In 2015, Musica Mundi, which keeps a list of the world's top 1,000 choirs, listed the UH Concert Chorale first in Youth Choirs (under the age of 25) and third among all choirs. Chorale actively performs in venues around Houston, including, of course our own Moores Opera House, and with groups like Houston Chamber Choir, Ars Lyrica Houston, Houston Symphony, and Mercury Houston.

Soundscape

Soundscape is the premiere Treble Ensemble at the Moores School of Music. A stellar ensemble of exceptional musicians, Soundscape deftly navigates music from major choral orchestral works to carefully crafted programmatic concerts. Soundscape (formerly known as Concert Women’s Chorus) has performed at prestigious conferences such as Southwest ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) and TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association). Soundscape has most recently collaborated with composers such as Jeff Derus (2023 ACDA Brock Prize for Professional Composers, winner), and Hunter t. Johnson for their concert; New Voices. They frequently collaborate with the award-winning University of Houston Concert Chorale, Resonance (Tenor/Bass ensemble), and the Moores School Symphony Orchestra. may register for this ensemble either for college credit or through the UH Community Arts Academy. 

Resonance

Resonance is the premiere Tenor/Bass ensemble at the Moores School of Music. A raucously tenacious group of singers, Resonance is known for their enthusiastic and powerful performances. In 2020, Resonance (then known as ManCorps) was invited to perform for Southwest ACDA (American Choral Directors Association). Resonance has most recently collaborated with composers such as Jeff Derus (2023 ACDA Brock Prize for Professional Composers, winner), and Hunter t. Johnson for their concert; New Voices. Resonance appears frequently in concert alongside MSM’s Concert Chorale, Soundscape and Symphony Orchestra. Students may register for this ensemble either for college credit or through the UH Community Arts Academy. 

University Chorus

The University Chorus is open to students and community members without audition. The ensemble rehearses three hours a week and performs in two concerts per semester. Singers new to choral singing, including those who cannot read music or who simply desire a less rigorous choral experience, may register for this ensemble for college credit or through the UH Community Arts Academy.

Acabellas

The University of Houston Acabellas is a student-led treble a cappella group with a pop twist. Any treble singer enrolled in one of UH's large choral ensembles is eligible to audition for this ensemble, which rehearses 1.5 hours a week. Acabellas performs pop music, musical theatre, Disney songs and even some throwbacks. Their main goal is to have a close-knit group that performs high-level music for fun. They showcase their work throughout the semester at university choral concerts in addition to a dedicated small group concert at the end of each semester. 

Ardore

Ardore is a student-led a cappella chamber choir comprised of Concert Chorale members. The ensemble provides students with valuable leadership opportunities and an outlet for high-level chamber music performance. Student conductors select repertoire, lead rehearsals and organize outreach performances and concerts, consisting of a broad range of musical styles and periods, including the music of emerging Houston composers. This unique ensemble provides a collaborative musical environment where students build bonds of professionalism and friendship with their peers while growing as musicians and leaders. 

Floreat

In addition to developing friendships, building professional relationships, and training their musical skills, members of the select chamber choir, Floreat, sing a wide range of traditional mixed choral repertoire. Often featured at UH choral concerts, Floreat also gives regular outreach performances in the greater Houston area. The ensemble draws its membership from all UH large choral ensembles except Concert Chorale. Floreat holds auditions at the beginning of each semester and rehearses approximately 1.5 hours a week.

Maestre of Moores

Maestre of Moores (MoM) is a tenor-bass a cappella ensemble. The group performs a variety of pop and choral music and has released two singles and one full-length album, all of which are available on iTunes and Spotify. In addition to performing regularly in concerts on campus, MoM also performs off-campus for schools, weddings, corporate events, etc. Members come from any of UH's large choral ensembles. The ensemble holds auditions at the beginning of each semester and rehearses approximately 1.5 hours a week. 

Rhapsody

Rhapsody is the University of Houston's mixed-voice pop a cappella ensemble performing regularly at concerts and events both on-campus and in the greater Houston area. They have been featured by the Houston Astros, Houston Dynamo, Uber Houston, and the University of Houston Alumni Organization. This ensemble rehearses 1.5 hours a week, and anyone enrolled in a UH large choral ensemble is eligible to audition. Auditions take place at the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters.

• Kaitlin DeSpain, Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Choral Studies
• Anthony Maglione, Associate Professor and Director of Choral Studies