On the eve of its second international performance, the University of Houston's Moores Concert Chorale has been recognized by Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

Parker proclaimed May 24 as UH Chorale Day in Houston. On this day, the chorale will deliver a free send-off concert before it departs for France to participate in esteemed competition Florilège Vocal de Tours. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in UH's Moores Opera House.

Led by director Betsy Weber, UH's Moores Concert Chorale will represent the city and university at Floriége Vocal de Tours in Tours, France from May 27 to 29. It is one of only two American choirs to be invited to this event.

The official proclamation states, "Whereas, students participating in the chorale transmit their passion for music to the community by working with students in Houston-area schools and singing with local churches. They are able to bring the joy of music into the city as both performers and teachers."

This is the second time this group of student singers has served as international ambassadors for the city of Houston. In 2009, it traveled to Wales for popular music festival Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. During this event, the group was named the event's top chamber choir and was among the finalists that competed for the title of "Choir of the World."

The UH Moores Concert Chorale consists of 48 undergraduate students. The group performs 30 concerts annually for Houston-area students of all ages, in local churches and at community events. Many performances are free to the public, but the chorale also has taken its talents to Houston's concert halls for collaborations with the city's leading performers, including the Grammy-nominated Ars Lyrica. Chorale members also have represented the city on national television (NBC's "Clash of the Choirs") and at national and state conventions.

"The students and I are thrilled and honored by this special honor," Weber said. "We are very proud to represent not only our wonderful University of Houston, but also the great city of Houston."

To learn more about the chorale's appearance in France, visit this link.

The chorale is among the ensembles based within the Moores School of Music. Other award-winning groups include the Moores School Symphony Orchestra, Moores Jazz Ensemble, Moores Opera Center, Concert Women's Chorus, Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble.

The Moores School of Music offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. It serves approximately 600 students annually. Areas of study include composition, conducting, performance, theory and musicology. Its faculty consists of internationally recognized performers, composers and scholars. A majority of the school's concerts are performed in the 800-seat Moores Opera House. For more details on the Moores School of Music, visit http://www.music.uh.edu/.

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