Some very big news for one of Houston’s most prominent classical music organizations. Here’s the story from the Houston Chamber Choir’s Press Release (via the Broadway World Newsdesk)…
Houston Chamber Choir has received the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America, the advocacy, research and leadership development organization that advances the choral field. The award will be presented at Chorus America’s 2018 Conference in Chicago June 20-23.
The Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence honors the memory of Margaret Hillis, founder of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, for her more than 40 years of professional achievement and outstanding contributions to the choral field. The award is presented annually to a member chorus that demonstrates artistic excellence, a strong organizational structure and a commitment to outreach, education, and/or culturally diverse activities.
In its description of this honor, Chorus America noted that “the Houston Chamber Choirhas excelled in presenting a daring breadth of repertoire at the highest level throughout its 22-year history, from historically-informed performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor to rich celebrations of Mexico’s choral heritage to collaborations with jazz musicians Christian McBride and Dave Brubeck. Through commitments to commissioning new works and partnerships with guest conductors, the ensemble maintains a fresh approach to its art, while achieving steady organizational growth. In addition, the Chamber Choir’s educational efforts in the Houston community have brought music back to three of the district’s most disadvantaged schools and established an annual choral festival that is in its 19th year.”
“The Chorus America Margaret Hillis Award is one of the highest accolades an American choir can receive,” says Houston Chamber Choir Artistic Director Robert Simpson. “I am thrilled that the extraordinary work of our musicians, staff and board has been recognized in this way.”
Awarded to a Professional Choir once every three years, the Houston Chamber Choir joins some elite company as the 2018 winner. Internationally acclaimed groups such as VocalEssence, Cantus, Chanticleer and Conspirare have won the award in recent years. After Conspirare, the Houston Chamber Choir is only the 2nd Texas ensemble to receive the honor.
In a year that has seen the Houston Symphony claim its first ever Grammy Award, the accolades keep coming for Houston’s classical music and arts scene. Glad to see that the hard work in H Town is getting noticed.
Check out this special video of the choir, in the midst of recording their next big CD project, the choral music of Maurice Durufle…