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:

It 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.

Betsy’s favorite performances:

• Carmina Burana with Andrés Orozco-Estrada and the Filarmónica Joven de Colombia • Brahms's Requiem with Andrés Orozco-Estrada • Messiah with Jane Glover • Bruckner's Te Deum with Christoph Eschenbach

Betsy’s favorite moment:

Sending the Chorus onstage at Jones Hall and greeting singers as they exit after each wonderful performance.

Betsy’s accomplishments:

“I'm proud of our teamwork—that we have put people in place who have helped the Chorus grow and flourish—our awesome Chorus Managers, our talented Rehearsal Conductors, our determined Section Leaders, and a marvelous Chorus Council, all of whom have worked hard to serve the Chorus. Together, we have put the Chorus on an upward trajectory.”

Highlights and accomplishments as seen by the Chorus:

• Betsy created the Emeritus program for the Chorus. The title Emeritus Member is awarded to a long-serving singer who has decided, after a long history of meritorious service, to retire. The criteria equate to a member of the Chorus with tenure of 20+ years. Together, with Betsy’s guidance, we built a culture of Chorus family, camaraderie, good musicianship, and support for one another. • Betsy created the Chorus Rehearsal Conductor program where distinguished choral leaders from within the Chorus work with Betsy to prepare the Chorus each performance series. Comments from two of the rehearsal conductors: • “Being asked to serve as a Rehearsal Conductor for the Houston Symphony Chorus was both an honor and a privilege. It was gratifying to know that Betsy trusted our musical teaching skills as well as our ability to communicate rehearsal goals—and meet those goals—to the chorus.” • “Being a Rehearsal Conductor gave me the opportunity to serve the Chorus in a unique way, while honoring me through the recognition of my choral achievements by a world-renowned conductor and colleague.” • Betsy was a champion of the chorus ensemble and the individual singer. She promoted the talent within the Chorus to allow us to grow and develop our abilities both for the benefit of the Chorus and each member. • Betsy worked to raise awareness in the international choral community of the caliber of musicianship of the Chorus, which led to an invitation to perform at the Bachfest in Leipzig in 2019.