Houston Chamber Choir Announces Special Bonus Concert, 6/7

We all have our favorites, but we also enjoy the excitement of something new. Well, in this case there is no need to choose. Both favorites and firsts will be found in this Special Bonus Concert as we sing well-loved works and the world premiere of a brilliant new work by McKnight award-winning composer Jocelyn Hagen that the Chamber Choir commissioned just for this occasion. Past commissions by David Ashley White, Christopher Theofanidis, and Dominick DiOrio add to the mix of this spectacular concert!

The concert will take place Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 7:30 pm at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX 77019.

Jocelyn Hagen is a highly sought-after young composer having generated over 40 commissions, 50 premieres, and 100 performances. She has received many grants and awards from organizations including ASCAP, VocalEssence, and the Yale Glee Club. Hagen's work The Soft Blink of Amber Light, written expressly for the Houston Chamber Choir, employs clarinet, flute, piano and marimba in addition to chorus.

Throughout its 18-year history, the Houston Chamber Choir has commissioned choral works from some of the leading composers of our day. At this concert, Houston Chamber Choir will perform three past commissions: David Ashley White's The Blue Estuaries (1998), Christopher Theofanidis's Messages to Myself (2008), and Dominick DiOrio's A Dome of Many-Coloured Glass (2010).

Artistic Director and Conductor, Robert Simpson, notes: "Commissioning new works has been central to the Chamber Choir since its founding. On this occasion the joy of reflecting back on the remarkable works David, Dominick and Chris created for us is heightened by this opportunity to introduce our latest commission by Jocelyn Hagan. She chose a beautifully evocative text, "The Soft Blink of Amber Light" by Minnesota poet Julia Klatt Singer and set it to the shimmering sounds of chorus, clarinet, flute, piano and marimba. After their first read-through the Chamber Choir musicians sat in silence not wanting to be the first to break the spell."

Tickets for this concert are $25 for general admission, $22.50 for seniors, and $10 for students (with valid ID). Purchase tickets online at www.HoustonChamberChoir.org or call (713) 224-5566.

The Houston Chamber Choir is a professional ensemble dedicated to increasing the awareness, appreciation and esteem of choral music and musicians through performance, outreach and education. Described by Peter Phillips, founder of the Tallis Scholars, as "one of this country's leading ensembles," the Houston Chamber Choir was established in 1995 by Artistic Director Robert Simpson. In April 2012, Houston Chamber Choir made its New York City debut at Trinity Church Wall Street. The Choir continued its tour to Yale University by invitation of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music where it presented a master class and concert in Marquand Chapel. The Chamber Choir is showcased on the world premiere recording of Psalmi ad Vesperas (1694) by Giovanni Paolo Colonna and Ravishingly Russian, a recording of 19th and 20th century Russian secular choral music.