Sing! A Season with the Houston Symphony Chorus

From Harry Potter to Carmina Burana, from Mahler to Messiah: the 2018–19 Season challenged Houston Symphony Chorus and made for a memorable year. Houston Symphony Chorus Director Betsy Cook Weber and Chorus Manager Anna Diemer share their favorite moments from last season, with a look ahead to what’s coming up next—including auditions open to all interested singers on Friday, August 9! Learn more here.

POPS Fun
In June 2018, the Chorus joined the orchestra to perform the live soundtrack of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. This was alto Jennifer Breneman’s first concert with HSC, and she was “blown away by how quickly it was up and ready to go! We went from first read to performance in just four days!” Later that summer, the Chorus sang hits from the Final Fantasy video games as well as the world premiere of the live Apollo 13 soundtrack.
Mahler’s Resurrection
With Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada, the Chorus performed Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, and Dvořák’s Stabat Mater in September 2018. Our singers reminisced about the high level of music-making, talented soloists, and Andrés’ expert guidance through the emotional journey of each piece. The power of Mahler’s orchestration also came as a revelation to many singers, as alto Julia FitzGerald recalled: “At the first orchestra rehearsal for Mahler 2, the women in the front row watched with trepidation as one of the percussionists approached the biggest gong on stage with a large mallet like one the coyote would use in a Road Runner cartoon. He turned to us with a wink and said, ‘Sorry about this!’ Then he hit that gong with all he had! During performances, its force would make our dresses flutter. Awesome!”
Some of the Houston Symphony’s most popular concerts of the year are for the holidays! The Chorus performs Very Merry Pops and Handel’s Messiah in the 2019–20 Season, too.
Hallelujah for Messiah
Many Chorus members cited our December performances of Messiah, conducted from memory by Dr. Jane Glover, as their favorite of the season. Bass Gary Scullin appreciated the “line of the storytelling Dr. Glover brought out of the work—a light touch, not forcing anything, but making everything connect in an organic way.”
Spring Features
The spring of 2019 brought performances of Carmina Burana, Rachmaninoff ’s The Bells, and The Best of Broadway POPS revue. We rehearsed The Bells especially diligently, as the Russian language and music were a challenge to many of us. Alto Susan Hall was “firmly convinced I would never get it, and then, the week before the concerts, the light finally went on!” Four members of the Chorus were featured as soloists in The Best of Broadway: Nikki Colby, Anna Diemer, Tim Joya, and Sean Holshouser. It was a special treat to cheer them on and have them represent the level of talent within the Chorus.
In June 2019, Betsy Cook Weber and the Houston Symphony Chamber Singers performed Handel’s Messiah in Walbrzych, Poland. Photo courtesy of the Filharmonia Sudecka
A European Trip
Our busy season culminated with a European tour for the Houston Symphony Chamber Singers, an ensemble of 40 that performs both with Mercury Houston and on its own. The Chamber Singers presented two performances of Messiah in Poland with the Filharmonia Sudecka, followed by two programs of a cappella American works in Poland and Germany. The highlight of the tour was performing Bach’s Cantata BWV 116 and Copland’s In the Beginning in Bach’s own Thomaskirche for the 2019 Bach Festival in Lepizig, Houston’s sister city. We were honored to represent the Houston Symphony as musical and cultural ambassadors. Check out Anna’s recap of the unforgettable trip.
Looking Ahead: Auditions and the 2019–20 Season
Houston Symphony Chorus is made up of dedicated volunteers. We’re looking forward to welcoming new singers who wish to audition on Friday, August 9, at Trinity Downtown, which is located at 800 Houston Avenue. Audition information is here. Watch below to hear from some of our amazing Chorus members!

After a restful summer, we are excited to return to Jones Hall and join Andrés Orozco-Estrada for performances of Mendelssohn’s Die erste Walpurgisnacht and Mahler’s Das klagende Lied on October 4, 5, and 6. Hope to see you in the fall!