With One Accord

On this episode of Education Spotlight the Houston Chamber Choir speaks with Alysia Lee, Founder and Artistic Director of Sister Cities Girlchoir, Education Program Supervisor of Fine Arts for the Maryland State Department of Education, Chorus America board member, and President of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund.

Houston Chamber Choir speaks with Austin Hunt, Houston-based Composer, Choir Director, and Singer.  Austin directs multiple award-winning choirs throughout the Houston area, including the Springwoods Village Middle School Choir, HopePointe Cathedral Choir, and Luminari Boys Choir. Mr. Hunt also is an avid composer of choral music, with multiple works available through major publishers such as Carl Fischer Music, BriLee Publications, and Choristers Guild. In addition to choral activities, Mr. Hunt is also an accomplished tenor soloist, with highlights including Messiah with The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra, “Nessun Dorma” with Kingwood Pops Orchestra, the role of Tamino in The Magic Flute with Sam Houston State University, and multiple seasons with the Houston Grand Opera Chorus. Austin holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Sam Houston State University. He and his wife, Adaluz, love traveling and seeing the world together.

In episode seven of With One Accord, we welcome esteemed choral educators and Houston Chamber Choir educational consultants, Sally Schott and Eddie Quaid. Join our host, arts and culture expert St. John Flynn, for a brief discussion with the dynamic duo on choral education in Texas and the evolution of the Houston Chamber Choir's annual choral festival, Hear the Future.

Houston Chamber Choir speaks with Merri Ann Smith, Owner and Director of Heaven Sent Choirs. Heaven Sent Choirs consists of a collection of some of the finest young voices around Houston, with a love for music and ministry. The students are regularly exposed to general music education and essentials, such as sight-singing, solfege, and ear training, a winter and spring concert, and ministry opportunities. The students will be challenged to excel while enjoying the fruits of teamwork with friends. These are the values and precious memories the students will cherish for the rest of their lives. 

Houston Chamber Choir speaks with Jorge Garza, Founder and Executive Director of Garza Studios and the Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus. Segundo Barrio Children's Chorus is Houston's First and Only Bilingual Choir for Children. Based out of Houston's  historic Second Ward (Segundo Barrio) neighborhood,  this program offers tuition-free access to music and vocal  instruction,  as well as transformative performance opportunities which increase representation in the arts for our community while celebrating the culture, language and traditions of its members and their families.

In the first episode of Season 3 of With One Accord, we welcome Richard Hyde, British Consul General in Houston. Join us as we discuss the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, arts and culture in Houston. We hope you will enjoy this podcast as we prepare for our first concert of the season “Let All The World in Every Corner Sing” a tribute to Ralph Vaughan Williams on the 150th anniversary of his birth. 

Houston Chamber Choir speaks with Adams Jr. High choral directors, Jennifer Agbu and Tiffany Sau. Jennifer, a veteran teacher, started the program at Adams just before the pandemic. Despite circumstance, enrollment greatly expanded, leading to Tiffany’s new position as a first year teacher. Together, the two are commanding a flourishing choral program, and have built a phenomenal partnership as colleagues and co-directors. Join us as we discuss how to develop a healthy co-director relationship, the mentor-colleague dynamic, and how teachers and students alike thrive with the right mindset and environment.

Houston Chamber Choir speaks with educator Peyton Moseley. Peyton is the Director of Choirs at Victory Lakes Middle School, and Assistant Choral Director at Clear Springs High School, both in Clear Creek ISD. Peyton received his Bachelors of Music Education from University of Houston, and began his first year as a middle school and high school choral teacher this past Fall. Despite challenges from the pandemic, his middle school choirs received top marks at University Interscholastic League (UIL), an annual assessment that grades the sight-reading and performance skills of choirs in Texas. Join as we discuss what it was like beginning as a teacher during the pandemic, and how Peyton learned to inspire his students.

Houston Chamber Choir speaks with educator Heather Orr. Heather is currently the Head Director of Choral Activities at Montgomery High School in Montgomery ISD.  Heather holds a Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Heidelberg University. Choirs under Heather Orr’s direction have performed at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention (TMEA) in 2018, 2010, and 2005. In addition, they have performed at the National ACDA Conferences in 2021 (Dallas, TX/virtual) and in 2011 (Chicago, IL), as well as the SWACDA Divisional Conference (Oklahoma City, OK) in 2018.

Houston Chamber Choir speaks with our very own Choral Conducting Intern, Matthew Lyon Hazzard. This past December, Matthew conducted the Houston Chamber Choir on his piece, “The Lamb.” Matthew talks about the performance, the experience of being an intern for a professional choir, and about the exciting things Houston Chamber Choir is doing for students in the Houston community and beyond.

In this latest episode of Behind the Music, we're excited to welcome leading organist Daryl Robinson! Winner of both First Prize and Audience Prize in the 2012 American Guild of Organists National Competition in Organ Performance, Daryl currently serves as Assistant Professor of Organ at the University of Houston and Cathedral Organist for Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal). Join arts and culture expert St. John Flynn in this episode as Daryl talks about his friendship with the Houston Chamber Choir, his passion for the organ, and everything you need to know about this beautiful instrument!

Get ready for our latest episode of Behind the Music with 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. Join arts and culture expert St. John Flynn on Andreea's musical world. Take a glimpse into her childhood in Romania, her remarkable academic journey in the states, and some of her favorite moments with Houston performers as a collaborative musician. After the show, enjoy Andreea's curated playlist!

In this episode arts and culture expert St. John Flynn speaks to composer Mark Buller! Buller has collaborated with the Houston Chamber Choir on several occasions, including our most recent commission "The Passion of St. Cecilia".