GRAMMY® AWARD WINNING HOUSTON CHAMBER CHOIR ANNOUNCES NEW, INSPIRATIONAL 2020-2021 VIRTUAL SEASON, TO EVERYTHING A SEASON
Houston, November 16, 2020 – The Grammy® Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir, under the direction of Founder and Artistic Director Robert Simpson, is proud to announce its new, inspirational 2020-2021 virtual season, To Everything a Season. The Houston Chamber Choir Digital Stage kicks off Nov. 22 and includes five customized and heartfelt concert videos created to remind audiences that even in difficult times like these, beauty and joy can be found throughout the changing seasons of our lives.
"The unprecedented challenges of these times have sparked an incredible creativity within our organization,” says Robert Simpson, Founder and Artistic Director. “The Houston Chamber Choir can now sing to the entire world thanks to our innovative virtual stage. I have never been more energized by the artistry of our musicians or the resourcefulness of our staff led by Mariam Khalili, Managing Director.
The Houston Chamber Choir Digital Stage offers world-class performances to music aficionados across the globe. People on every continent can access inspiring concerts, dynamic original programming with behind-the-scenes footage, favorites from the archive and the popular podcast, With One Accord from a Grammy® Award winning professional choir. Beautiful music is at one’s fingertips with a wi-fi connection.
The Houston Chamber Choir 2020-2021 concert line-up is:
I. A Time to Give Thanks Sunday, Nov. 22
The thought of singing for audiences again fills the Choir with gratitude and anticipation, two feelings often associated with thanksgiving. In this concert, two new performances will be introduced, along with personal reflections, excerpts from past performances, a sing-along and a special virtual choir project, a feast for eyes and ears. Come and experience this joyful season concert kick-off.
II. A Time to Bring Hope Sunday, Dec. 20
The Houston Chamber Choir’s annual tradition of coming together to celebrate the promise of hope and peace at Christmas continues. The company offers joyous new performances and reflections from seasons past at the beloved Villa de Matel. Singing is at the very heart of the holiday season, and the Choir is eager to share favorite carols and new material from around the world.
III. A Time to Lift Up Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021
There is nothing new in the notion that teachers are essential. However, the realization of just how resilient and fearless these professionals are has lifted them to hero status over the last several months. Tribute is paid to the indomitable spirit of music educators, and their students, with favorite sights and sounds from past Hear the Future Annual Choral Invitational festivals.
IV. A Time to Journey Inward Sunday, Mar. 21, 2021
The revered Chinese choral conductor, Dr. Ma Geshun, offered one piece of advice to students seeking to improve – “Go deeper.” This wisdom also applies to those wishing to experience the power of sacred choral masterpieces. Join the Houston Chamber Choir on a journey inward to experience this treasured repertoire.
V. A Time to Draw Closer Sunday, May 9, 2021 (Mother’s Day)
The season finale combines the exhilaration of a festival concert with the down-home welcome of a family reunion. Recent experiences have shown how important community is and how much people rely on the arts to lift their spirits and enrich their lives. This concert is especially notable since it is the world premiere of a commissioned work by noted Houston composer Mark Buller.
“As they say on Broadway, ‘the show must go on,’ and our dedicated supporters are making sure that happens with Houston Chamber Choir,” says Mariam Khalili, Managing Director. “We started the year on top of the world with our Grammy® win in January, and then the pandemic drastically altered the course of our 2019-2020 season.”
“However, the creative drive never wavered, and we adapted our model to bring beautiful music to our audiences through our With One Accord podcast,” Khalili continues. “We are humbled and ever-grateful to our audience and our donors for their inspiration and continued support. And finally, I salute Robert Simpson, our Choir members and the amazing staff who have worked tirelessly to bring this exquisite new season to fruition.”
To Everything a Season will be available online, accessible from any location in the world. All five concerts can be viewed by visiting HoustonChamberChoir.org on your computer or smart device.
An annual subscription for the entire season can be purchased for $40 with a 50 percent introductory coupon, providing unlimited viewing of five concerts on the Houston Chamber Choir Digital Stage, in addition to access to curated content and extras. A rental option is available for $9.99, with individual access to the concert of your choosing for three days. Watch the concert as many times as you like during the three-day rental period. Alternately, one can purchase unlimited access to their preferred concert from the Houston Chamber Choir Digital Sound Stage for $24.99 or choose the option to “set your own price.”
The Choir continues its successful podcast series With One Accord every Monday and Friday at noon CT, described as a “one-stop shop for choral joy.” Join in for “Music Mondays” with Robert Simpson as he presents performances by the Houston Chamber Choir and choral ensembles around the nation, get a glimpse into the personalities of the Houston Chamber Choir on “Behind the Music” with arts and culture expert St. John Flynn, and take a look at the choral world’s rising stars on “Education Spotlight” with arts education enthusiast April Harris.
It is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, Anchor, YouTube and the Houston Chamber Choir’s Digital Stage. For more information on the Houston Chamber Choir season go to houstonchamberchoir.org/2020- 2021-season-schedule or call 713-224-5566.
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Link to photos here.
Photo caption: The Grammy® Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir is proud to announce its new 2020-2021 virtual season, To Everything a Season, under the Houston Chamber Choir Digital Stage, kicking off on Nov. 22. Photo credit: Jeff Grass Photography
About Houston Chamber Choir
The Grammy® Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir has established itself as one of the premier professional choirs in the United States, serving Houston through concerts and educational initiatives that enlighten, entertain, and educate people of all ages. The Chamber Choir released its fifth CD, “Duruflé: Complete Choral Works,” with organist Ken Cowan in April 2019, which won a Grammy® Award in the category of “Best Choral Performance” at the 62nd Annual Grammy® Awards in January 2020.
Winner of Chorus America’s 2018 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the Choir has been described by The Tallis Scholars founder Peter Phillips as “one of this country’s leading ensembles.” It also received The American Prize for best choral performance in the country and its Artistic Director Robert Simpson received the award in the conducting category in 2015. Additionally, Houston Chamber Choir was selected as one of 24 choirs to participate in the prestigious World Symposium on Choral Music in Auckland, New Zealand, which has now been canceled by the organizers due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
Led by Artistic Director Robert Simpson, the Houston Chamber Choir is composed of 25 professional singers, most of whom have studied at the top music schools and conservatories in the United States including Julliard, New England Conservatory, University of Houston, and the University of Texas. These musicians are selected through rigorous auditions from the finest singers in our region and are compensated for all rehearsals and performances. Simpson was honored by Chorus America with the Michael Korn Founders Award in 2015 for his contributions to developing the professional choral art.