From Startup to Standout
Artistic Director | Robert Simpson
Artistic Director Designate | Betsy Cook Weber
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from darkness to light
In 1638, Gregorio Allegri composed a setting of Miserere mei, Deus (Psalm 51) for the Sistine Chapel. The apocryphal story is that the Vatican allowed there to be only three copies in existence, and they were locked away for safe-keeping so that no one could copy or perform the work. Fast forward to 1764-65, when a young Mozart heard a performance of Allegri’s composition, went back to his inn, and flawlessly copied it from memory.
Fast forward again, this time to 1989, when Estonian composer Arvo Pärt set the same text. Pärt’s Miserere is described as one of his “most dramatic and contrasting pieces…” From these two pieces of darkness, we move to hope and light, working our way through a Latvian “Plaudite, Psallite” and American spirituals, including Thomas Dorsey’s “Precious Lord.” The concert closes with the gorgeous “Amazing Grace,” arranged by Ēriks Ešenvalds.
Winner of Best Choral Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy® Awards, winner of Chorus America's 2018 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the 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.
Robert Simpson and the Houston Chamber Choir joined by Houston area school choirs in the annual Hear the Future choir invitational festival
The first photograph of the Houston Chamber Choir in 1995
Robert Simpson holding the Grammy for Best Choral Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards
Artistic Director Robert Simpson leading the Houston Chamber Choir in its season 29 finale, Brubeck! A Celebration, joined by the Brubeck Jazz Quartet and Houston's own Paul English.
Betsy Cook Weber conducts the choir and orchestra in Stravinsky's Mass.
Betsy Cook Weber leading the choir in the April 2024 performance titled "California Gold"