The Moores School of Music will host "Hail Britannia," a concert featuring works by British composers such as Thomas Morley, George Herbert, and Gilbert and Sullivan starting at 7:30 tonight at Moores Opera House.
The University Women’s Chorus, University Men’s Chorus, Floreat, Concert Women’s Chorus and Concert Chorale will perform these pieces, which were popularized in the early Renaissance period.
"Great Britain has a long, illustrious connection with choral music. Many of their choirs are among the most famous in the world," said Betsy Weber, Concert Chorale and University Women’s Chorus director. "Composers tend to be inspired by specific performers, and, in Britain, the excellence and tradition of the choirs have been inspired to write outstanding compositions."
The songs were chosen based on their educational value for the Moores School of Music singers as well as the repertoire’s general appeal to audiences.
The concert will have much to offer for those that attend. The Floreat ensemble, under the direction of Music Education senior Jennette Roesner, will open up the program with a set of a cappella pieces composed by British composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and Thomas Morley. "The song Sweet Day was chosen because I have a deep respect for the music of Vaughan Williams. That’s why I decided to research his music for a possible song to use in the concert," Roesner said. "I found the piece Sweet Day’ and I loved the melody and harmonic structure as well as the poem, which was authored by George Herber."
Concert Chorale will perform the difficult piece by Benjamin Britten titled "Hymn to St. Cecilia" while closing their set with the song "Blackbird" by The Beatles.
Concert Women’s Chorus will perform a set of songs accompanied by guest harpist Laura Smith, as well as the Baroque piece titled "Sound the Trumpet." After intermission, the University choruses will team up to perform an abridged variation of "HMS Pinafore" by Gilbert and Sullivan.†"HMS Pinafore" will include solos by many of Moores School of Music students, including music education and vocal performance senior Briana Kruse and vocal performance senior Frankie Espinoza.
"Everyone will leave this concert smiling and humming the tunes they hear," Weber said.
Admission to the concert is $10 for general admission, $5 for students, senior citizens, and UH faculty and staff.
