The Houston Chamber Choir

presents

With One Accord podcast!

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Season 1


Episode 130: Education Spotlight | C. Paul Heins

C. Paul Heins is the associate conductor of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC and the founding director of their youth chorus, GenOUT, which is one of nine vocal ensembles for LGBTQ+ and allied youth in the country. GenOUT has welcomed over 100 students from more than four dozen schools around the DC area since its founding in January 2015.

Episode 129: Music Mondays | Earth Song

“Earth Song” was performed by the Houston Chamber Choir at the 2018-2019 season’s “This Is Why I Sing.” This performance was featured on the first episode of With One Accord on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Episode 128: Behind the Music | Dr. Andreea Muț

Get to know Houston Chamber Choir accompanist, Dr. Andreea Muţ! Andreea has been our piano master since 2015, and she played a significant role in our upcoming album Circlesong.

Enjoy Andreea’s curated playlist!

Episode 127: Music Mondays featuring the Treble Choir of Houston

“Circles of Motion,” composed by Bob Chilcott and text by Joy Harjo , was performed by the Treble Choir of Houston with accompanist Andreea Muţ. This was performed and recorded at South Main Baptist Church in March 2019 and will be included in the Houston Chamber Choir’s upcoming album Circlesong.

Episode 126: Behind the Music | Clipper Hamrick

Arts and culture expert St. John Flynn speaks to alto and educator Clipper Hamrick! Hamrick has been singing with the Houston Chamber Choir since 2016 and is also a passionate middle school choir teacher in Conroe ISD.

Enjoy Clipper’s curated playlist!

Episode 125: Music Mondays featuring Chanticleer

“Trade Winds,” composed by Zhou Tian (b. 1981), was performed by Chanticleer with soloists tenor Matthew Mazzola and countertenor Adam Ward. This was recorded live in concert at Mission Santa Clara, September 18, 2019, during the “Trade Winds” concert.

Episode 124: Behind the Music | Mark Buller

Get to know Houston-based composer, Mark Buller! Get a sneak peek at Mark's process in creating “The Passion of St. Cecilia,” his methods for getting creative this past year, and hear the story about what ultimately made him pursue music composition as a profession.

Episode 123: Music Mondays featuring the Young People’s Chorus of New York City

“So Much On My Soul,” composed by Ellen Reid and text by Adedayo, Ana, Brandon, Marcus, Ronan and Skye of the Young People's Chorus of New York City, was performed by the Young People's Chorus of New York City at National Sawdust on September 27, 2020.

Episode 122: Education Spotlight | Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles

Dr. Robles is a monumental community leader and advocate for diversity and inclusivity and shines with her ability to educate, motivate and inspire through choral music. Her vocal talents and passion for choral music performance and education have greatly benefited her Southern California community, as well as national and international audiences and students.

Episode 121: Music Mondays featuring the National Lutheran Choir

"Hold On!", text comes from a Negro Spiritual and arranged by Marques L.A. Garrett, was performed by the National Lutheran Choir and featured in their 2020 Virtual All Saints Program – “In Memoriam: We Remember.”

Episode 120: Behind the Music | Paul English

Get to know composer, pianist, producer and educator Paul English's favorite memories from Houston Chamber Choir concerts, his musical childhood, and his expansive career.

Episode 119: Music Mondays featuring the Boston Children’s Chorus

“Harriet Tubman,” composed by Walter Robinson and arranged by Kathleen McGuire, was performed by the Boston Children's Chorus at their 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert "She Persisted" at Boston Symphony Hall, and was conducted by Dr. Lynnel Joy Jenkins with Pieter Struyk on percussion.

Episode 118: Behind the Music | Michael Skarke

Get to know countertenor Michael Skarke as Michael discusses the interesting history of countertenors, how he found out his special talent, and what he is looking forward to in his future with the Houston Chamber Choir.

Visit and enjoy Michael’s curated playlist!

Episode 117: Music Mondays featuring The Crossing

“At Piece,” the last movement from “A Native Hill” (music by Gavin Bryars and words by Wendell Berry) was composed as a gift for The Crossing, dedicated to Cassia Bryars-Rockey, and in memoriam Julian Rockey. It was recorded on October 8-11, 2019 at St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley, Malvern, PA and included in A Native Hill by Navona Records.

Episode 116: Behind the Music | Jack Byrom

Learn more about tenor and board member Jack Byrom! Jack is a lover of libretto and legislation, balancing life as a full-time lawyer along with his roles with the Choir since 2014.

Don’t forget to visit Jack’s curated playlist after the show!

Episode 115: Music Mondays featuring Cantus

“Stars,” composed by Ēriks Ešenvalds, was recorded by Cantus on March 17, 2020 and is included in their album The COVID-19 Sessions.

Episode 114: Music Mondays featuring the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas

“Peace” (composed by Ruth Watson Henderson) and "Patapan" (arr. Roger Stratton, translation by Janine Cortell) were performed by the Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas and Mary Anna Salo, piano on December 1, 2019 at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.

Episode 113: Education Spotlight | Sonja Bruzauskas

Get to know musician and educator Sonja Bruzauskas. Sonja is the Founder and Director of the pARTnerschools, an arts education non-profit dedicated to bringing the joy of music and art to all children, especially in our underserved communities. She also has a rich history with Houston Chamber Choir, formerly serving as a board member, choir member and instructor for the Rise Up Singing! educational program.

Episode 112: Music Mondays | Nostalgia World

“Nostalgia World” composed by Anders Edenroth was performed virtually in “A Time to Give Thanks,” the first concert of our 2020-2021 season To Everything A Season.

Episode 111: Behind the Music | One-Year Celebration of With One Accord

Learn more about the podcast straight from the creators: how we came up with the idea, the ins and outs of post-production, and how we've raised the podcast to where it is today!

Episode 110: Music Mondays | Gloria

“Gloria” was performed by the Houston Chamber Choir at the 2016-2017 season’s “Mass in B Minor.”
Concertists: Kelli Lawless, Lauren Pastorek, Matthew Mazzola and Rameen Chaharbaghi

Episode 109: Behind the Music | Marc Garvin

Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of the guitar as classical guitarist Marc Garvin showcases his talent and shares his musical journey in this episode. Marc is our collaborator in 2020-2021 season’s “A Time to Journey Inward.”

Don’t forget to visit Marc’s playlist!

Episode 108: Music Mondays featuring Volti

“Cæli enarrant,” composed by Robin Estrada, was performed by Volti with soloists Celeste Winant, Philip Saunders, Nica Claire Dennis, and Andrea Mich at their premiere on March 23, 2017.

Episode 107: Behind the Music | Rebecca Castillo

Soprano and educator Rebecca Castillo shares with arts and culture expert St. John Flynn highlights of her journey with the Houston Chamber Choir, her love for music since she was young, and her passion for igniting choral joy in every student she teaches.

Explore her musical world with her special playlist!

Episode 106: Music Mondays featuring Anima - Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus

“Stars Do Tell,” composed by Imant Raminsh and text by Okanagan First Nation poet Ben Abel, was performed by Anima - Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus and accompanied by William Buhrat on July 2012 at Glinka Cappella at St. Petersburg, Russia.

Episode 105: Education Spotlight | Greg Fernandes

Get to know Boston Children’s Chorus Assistant Conductor and The Rose Conservatory’s President Greg Fernandes' story as a passionate and dedicated leader in his community, who strives to help children of all backgrounds harness their potential and creativity positively through the power of music and shared experience.

Episode 104: Music Mondays featuring the Elmer Iseler Singers

“Ave Verum” composed by Peter Togni was performed by Elmer Iseler Singers at the Église du Gesu in Montreal on April 27th, 2019.

Episode 103: Music Mondays featuring Cappella SF

“V. The Book of Matthew” from Sirens by Mason Bates was performed by Cappella SF in March 2018.

Episode 102: Behind the Music | Rameen Chaharbaghi

Explore bass and educator Rameen Chaharbaghi’s favorite choral moments with the Houston Chamber Choir, how he fell in love with music, and the current projects he's been working on.

Don’t forget to listen to Chaharbaghi’s playlist!

Episode 101: Music Mondays | Give Me Strength

“Give Me Strength” was performed by the Houston Chamber Choir and the Treble Choir of Houston at the 2019-2020 season’s “Circlesong” and will be featured in their upcoming album to be released by Signum Classics.

Episode 100: Behind the Music | Dr. Carey Cannon

For this very special 100th episode, we're inviting one of the Houston Chamber Choir's dearest longtime friends, Dr. Carey Cannon, Minister of Music at South Main Baptist Church! Listen to his stories about his longtime friendship with the Houston Chamber Choir, how he found his passion for singing and conducting, and his amazing music works at South Main Baptist Church.

Visit Dr. Cannon’s playlist.

Episode 99: Music Mondays featuring Houston Boychoir

“Psalm 150, Op. 67,” composed by Benjamin Britten and conducted by John Markert, was performed by Houston Boychoir during their spring concert on May 20, 2018.

Episode 98: Education Spotlight | Dr. Dawn Neely

We welcome University of West Georgia’s Dr. Dawn Neely, Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera Workshop. Dr. Neely has taken an extremely inventive approach to vocal training, incorporating yoga and other meditative exercise for a fuller, more mindful music experience.

Episode 97: Music Mondays featuring the Dallas Chamber Choir

“Flight Song,” composed by Kim André Arnesen and text by Euan Tait, was performed by the Dallas Chamber Choir

Episode 96: Behind the Music | Special Feature: Creating “A Time to Lift Up”

Choral Conducting Intern Emily Jenkins and Manager of Operations April Harris discuss the message behind “A Time to Lift Up” and the importance of presenting a moment of choral joy especially for educators.

Get some choral joy with a special playlist performed by some of the best school choirs in Texas!

Episode 95: Music Mondays | A Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

We’re paying tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. with a beautiful performance by Exigence! “Lift Every Voice” was performed and recorded virtually by Exigence and arranged by Joel Thompson.

Episode 94: Behind the Music | Ryan Stickney

Get to know more about alto, arranger and composer Ryan Stickney as she chats with arts and culture expert St. John Flynn about her love for music in childhood, her musical journey in college and with the Houston Chamber Choir, and her other talents offstage!

Enjoy her favorite songs with her playlist!

Episode 93: Music Mondays featuring the Salt Lake Vocal Artists

“Stars,” composed by Ēriks Ešenvalds and text by Sara Teasdale, was commissioned for the Salt Lake Vocal Artists in 2011. “Stars” was premiered by the Salt Lake Vocal Artists at Libby Gardner Concert Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 26, 2011.

Episode 92: Education Spotlight | Emily Jenkins

Enjoy this episode as arts education enthusiast April Harris speaks with Emily Jenkins, Houston Chamber Choir Choral Conducting Intern, about her extensive career as an educator of all ages, fascinating discoveries in her doctoral studies, and future plans to contribute to the choral music world.

Episode 91: Music Mondays featuring Bella Voce

Cum sancto spiritu from Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 composed by J.S. Bach.

Happy New Year 2021!

A message from our Education Spotlight host, April Harris!

Episode 90: Music Mondays | My Lord Has Come

“My Lord Has Come” was performed by the Houston Chamber Choir at their 2017-2018 season’s “Christmas at the Villa” concert and is featured in the album “Behold the Star!” released in 2018.

Episode 89: Music Mondays | Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King

“Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King” was performed by tenor L. Wayne Ashley and the Houston Chamber Choir at their 2018-2019 season’s “Christmas at the Villa” concert and is featured in the album “Behold the Star!” released in 2018.

Episode 88: Behind the Music | Jeff Grass

Get to know Jeff Grass, our official photographer yet also an active trumpet player, as he chats on his professional musical journey with the Paragon Brass Ensemble, establishing himself as a photographer, and his longtime friendship with the Houston Chamber Choir!

Don’t forget to visit his playlist!

Episode 87: Music Mondays | Thou Shalt Know Him

“Thou Shalt Know Him” was performed by the Houston Chamber Choir at their 2017-2018 season’s “Christmas at the Villa” concert and is featured in the album “Behold the Star!” released in 2018.

Episode 86: Behind the Music | Stacey Franklin

Explore soprano and harpist Stacey Franklin's musical life as she chats with arts and culture expert St. John Flynn about her journey with the Houston Chamber Choir, how her love for the harp and opera blossomed during her childhood and high school years, and how she beat the odds to come back with a more beautiful voice.

Don’t forget to visit Franklin’s playlist after watching this episode!

Episode 85: Music Mondays | I Saw a Maiden

“I Saw a Maiden” (Basque Noël, 15th century; arr. Edgar Pettman) was performed by the Houston Chamber Choir at their 2016-2017 season’s “Christmas at the Villa” concert and is featured in the album Behold the Star! released in 2018.

Episode 84: Education Spotlight | Casulana Women's Choir of Houston

Join arts education enthusiast April Harris as she chats with one of Casulana’s co-Artistic Directors, Janwin Overstreet-Goode, and Janwin’s mentee and Casulana choir member, Kylee Hill. Hear all about the ensemble’s powerful eponym, Janwin and Kylee’s inspiring choral journeys in friendship and mentorship, and plans for the future of Casulana.

Episode 83: Music Mondays featuring Seraphic Fire

“Sicut Cervus”, composed by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, recorded and produced at home by Seraphic Fire.

RERUN: Behind the Music | Daniel J. Knaggs

Arts and culture expert St. John Flynn chats with Daniel about his exciting musical journey, his friendship with the Houston Chamber Choir, his venture into music composition while at college, and his passion for teaching.

Visit Daniel’s playlist!