Choirs - University of Houston
Skip to main content

 

Kaitlin DeSpain
Associate Director of Choral Studies
kedespai@CougarNet.UH.EDU
 

Receive first-class instruction in one of the world's most culturally rich cities! With five large choral ensembles complemented by five student-led cappella groups, there is a musical home at UH for every interested choral singer.  Our faculty, facilities and high standards can make performing in a UH Choir a highlight of your college career.  If you are interested in learning more, connect with our Moores Student Ambassadors to sit in on a choral rehearsal, music history or theory class and possibly audit a voice studio class!

Thank you for visiting our UH Choirs page!  We welcome singers from all majors and at all levels of skill and talent.  In short, if you are interested in singing with us, there is a UH choir for you!
 

Faculty

kaitlin-despain-ls

Kaitlin DeSpain
Associate Director of Choral Studies
kedespai@CougarNet.UH.EDU

Large Choral Ensembles

The Moores School of Music is the home to some of the best collegiate vocal ensembles anywhere. Concert Chorale is world-renowned, having won several competitions across Europe. In 2017 alone, they sang at three important conferences. Our other auditioned choirs, Soundscape and Resonance, compare favorably to most universities' top choirs.

ensemble1

Concert Chorale

The internationally acclaimed Moores School Concert Chorale is the University of Houston’s premier large mixed-voice choral ensemble. In addition to a full calendar of concerts in and around the Houston area, Chorale is frequently featured at state and national conventions. Also, members routinely compete internationally. When Chorale travels, the university pays all tour expenses. To audition for Chorale, singers must pass an audition and must have sung for at least one previous semester with either Soundscape or Resonance. Upon placement in this ensemble, students must register for UH course credit; registration through the Community Arts Academy is not possible.

opera

Soundscape

Specializing in the performance of advanced treble repertoire from across a broad musical spectrum, Soundscape regularly commissions new works for treble chorus. It hosts the Women’s Chorus Festival Concert each spring. All treble singers, regardless of major, are welcome to audition for membership in Soundscape. Available to soprano and alto singers, participation requires an audition. After a successful audition, a singer may register for University credit or through Community Arts Academy.

event3

Resonance

Resonance consists of both music and non-music majors committed to choral excellence. The ensemble, which was founded in 2013, performs a wide range of tenor/bass repertoire from across musical eras and styles. Its varied performance schedule includes traditional choral concerts, singing the national anthem at sporting events and participating in the annual Oratorio Concert in conjunction with the Moores School Symphony Orchestra, Concert Chorale and Soundscape. Part of the ensemble’s mission is to encourage the creation of quality tenor/bass music. To that end, it regularly commissions new works for tenor/bass chorus, including recent music from David Ashley White, Thomas Juneau and Carlos Cordero. After a successful audition, a singer may register for University credit or through the Community Arts Academy.

University Chorus

Singers who are new to choral singing, including those who cannot read music or those who simply desire a less rigorous choral experience, may register for these choirs with no audition required. Local community members may register through the Community Arts Academy and do not have to audition.

event4

Auditions

UH singers who wish to be considered for one of our three premier ensembles must audition. The audition will consist of two portions: vocalizing and sight-reading. Details for completing these components of the audition can be found HERE.

Student Led A cappella Ensembles

feature

Voice Division 

Singers who are accepted into the voice program at the Moores School of Music study with internationally acclaimed performing artists who have decades of stage and teaching experience. In addition to our faculty’s impressive singing careers, they are excellent pedagogues. Students in our program leave UH with extraordinary skills and training as singers.

feature

Music Education Division

Many singers aspire to become choral conductors or elementary music teachers. MSM boasts a renowned music education faculty. Our vocal Music Education graduates enjoy a 100% job placement rate.

opera

Moores Opera Center

Performed with the orchestra ensemble in our Moores Opera House the center holds four fully staged opera productions each season. Students learn their craft through four fully-staged productions with orchestra per season, including one opera written in the last twenty years. Auditions in April and August of each year are open to all students. Many of our Moores School of Music choral singers also participate on stage in opera productions during their time at UH.

feature

“Through my four years in UH Choirs, I experienced a whirlwind of great music, created lifelong friendships, met people from all over the world and got to work with amazing teachers and conductors. I had the opportunity to sing in Europe twice and performed amazing major works like Alexander Nevsky and Carmina Burana. The UH Choral area also supports five student-led ensembles, one of which I had the privilege of directing. I feel well prepared for my career as a choral director through the education and experiences I received at the Moores School of Music.” Marissa Suazo (‘20)