Two of the UH’s musical ensembles have been chosen to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association’s annual convention in San Antonio this weekend.
The Moores Symphony Orchestra and the Moores Concert Chorale will share the stage with some of the most talented musicians in Texas on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center’s Lila Cockrell Theatre.
“There are only a handful of university music school orchestras considered for this TMEA task each year,” said Franz Krager, professor of conducting and director of orchestras.
This is the fourth year the chorale has been selected to perform at TMEA’s annual event.
“Most of the singers in Chorale are pretty experienced,” said Betsy Weber, director of choral studies. “Yes, we are all a bit nervous, but we know how to handle the nerves. If you have the right amount of nervousness, it gives you a bit of an edge in a good way.”
The orchestra recently performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. In May, the Moores Concert Chorale will head to the 13th annual International Chamber Choir Competition in Germany, one of only 10 choirs chosen world-wide for the exclusive event.
While the process is familiar, it is still rigorous.
“We submit three years of recordings,” Weber said. “They are listened to by a blind committee, who selects two college choirs. There are a number of college choirs who have never been selected to perform.”
Krager says he hopes he can take the musicians to a performance that lives up to the UH standards.
“What our students have that sets them apart is incredible talent, unrelenting commitment, the best training and unlimited passion for performing at the highest level,” Krager said.
Being selected for these events sets a pace for an even more promising future for the music department. The students’ talents will be at the disposal of more than 25,000 teachers, musicians and band directors at the TMEA event.
“A fine performance for an audience like this means great notoriety and enhanced reputations for all of us,” Krager said. “This certainly bodes well for all of our futures.”
