CELEBRATING
BETSY!
Betsy Cook Weber, Director 2014–2022, has led the Houston Symphony Chorus for the last eight seasons preparing the Chorus for the choral masterworks of so many, including Bruckner, Dvořák, Mozart, Brahms, Verdi, and Stravinsky to name a few. In fact, Betsy prepared the Chorus for more than 75 choral series, 200 concert performances with 30 composers and conductors during her tenure with the Chorus. During her tenure, she took the Chorus on two European concert tours to Prague in 2017 and Poland/Germany in 2019. In 2019, during Bachfest in Leipzig, Germany, Betsy arranged for the choir to sing Copland’s “In the Beginning” while standing around Bach’s grave as the first piece in the afternoon service to a standing ovation. Betsy has also conducted the Chorus on many occasions in Jones Hall, on tour and elsewhere. One fond memory for many was at the 2018 Very Merry Pops concert of an arrangement of "The First Nowell" for cello and chorus—looking into her eyes during a live performance in Jones Hall is a lifetime memory. Betsy assembled a chorus of more than 200 volunteer singers who travel from Greater Houston-Galveston and often throughout Texas to perform with the Chorus. The public may be unaware of the high number of music teachers—elementary school through college level—who perform with the Chorus. When chorus members were asked, “Why do you sing with the chorus?” their answers are: I t is a free master class with Betsy Cook Weber every week! Time and time again, each season with the Chorus, we have splendid rehearsals that we think are the best we can do and somehow, the next week, Betsy always finds a way to set the standards even higher. Betsy Cook Weber doesn’t know what the music needs. She knows what the music demands. She demands on behalf of the music and she demands it from you because she knows you are capable. Betsy leaves a legacy with the Chorus in so many ways—we are all better musicians for the opportunity of having experienced the music with her. 34
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Houston Symphony
