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The University of Houston's Moores School Concert Chorale has been recognized as one of the "20 Most Impressive College Choirs" in the United States. College Rank, a reputable source for rankings, placed the UH Concert Chorale at No. 10 on the list.
Professor Betsy Cook Weber, the director of the Concert Chorale, expressed her pride in the achievement, stating, "Being recognized as one of the most impressive college choirs is a testament to the dedication, talent, and passion of our singers. This is further validation for what we do, all of the hard work we put in, and the pride we take in bringing our best every day."
College Rank selected the choirs based on various criteria such as competition results, world rankings, touring, historical significance, performance schedule, and audition competitiveness. The top three choirs on the list were Mount San Antonio College in California, Pacific Lutheran University in Washington, and Saint Olaf College in Minnesota.
Weber emphasized the positive impact of this recognition on the choir's reputation and the University of Houston as a whole, stating, "When people think about the best choirs, we are on their list and they are talking about us. That helps a lot with recruiting both undergraduate and graduate-level students, and it helps with community support as well."
The UH Concert Chorale is comprised of approximately 48 singers who undergo a rigorous audition process each year. Most members are 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 regular performances on campus, the Concert Chorale is highly sought after as featured performers at conferences across the country. The choir has also made a name for itself on the global competition stage, with wins or high placements in various competitions, including the Grand Prix of Nations in Germany, the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition in Hungary, and the Eisteddfod in Wales.
Looking ahead, the Concert Chorale is preparing for the Ave Verum competition near Vienna, Austria, where they will be the sole U.S. representative. However, there is also an upcoming concert on April 29 that holds particular significance. This concert will showcase the entire Moores School choral program and will serve as Professor Weber's farewell as she plans to leave UH after more than two decades. She will be joining the Houston Chamber Choir as their new artistic director and conductor.
Reflecting on her decision to step down, Weber shared, "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. 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."
With their well-deserved recognition as one of the most impressive college choirs in the country, the UH Concert Chorale continues to showcase the talent and dedication of its singers.