New Endowment Ensures Continued Success of
UH’s Award-Winning Concert Chorale
As the University of Houston has gained increased national and international recognition over the past couple of decades, so too has the University’s Concert Chorale. Under Betsy Cook Weber’s (D.M.A. '95) 22-year tenure as director, the UH Concert Chorale was ranked as the number one youth choir (under 24) and the number three overall choir in the world, as well as one of the top ten distinguished collegiate choral ensembles in the United States.
Weber credits President Renu Khator’s ambitious vision for the future of UH with inspiring her to enter the Concert Chorale in international competitions, which enhanced its recognition.
“When Chancellor and President Renu Khator came on campus, she talked a lot about global experiences, global initiatives and global reputations, and I embraced that perspective in my own corner of the University.”
Betsy Cook Weber (D.M.A. '95)
After her retirement in late May, Betsy and her husband, Rick Weber, have remained dedicated to supporting the success of the UH Choral Studies program. Although Rick works as a public finance lawyer and hasn’t held a professional role at the University of Houston, he has for many years been a loyal audience member at UH choir programs, including all of its international competitions. Together, they proposed and contributed to a new UH Endowment for International Choral Studies to ensure that the Concert Chorale can continue to compete in competitions abroad. This fund will cover travel and lodging expenses for the competitions.
“The places that have legitimate choral competitions are all in Europe,” Rick explains. “There aren’t similar opportunities in the U.S.”
“These competitions are crucial to demonstrating that our chorale is as good as anyone’s in the world, and I believe that UH students are as talented as any choral student in the world because of the quality of the training provided by our faculty,” adds Betsy.
In addition, Betsy believes competitions are invaluable for teaching focused study and rehearsals, and that the unexpected challenges of traveling through a foreign country provide valuable learning experiences for choral students.
“It can throw you off your game a little bit. Students must be extremely disciplined and determined. The ability to maintain focus in spite of all of those obstacles is a powerful asset for these students. They acquire valuable life skills that, regardless of what they end up doing after college, will serve them greatly.”
Raymond Pappas (’25), a senior choral student, appreciates how the Concert Chorale has opened new doors for him. “Concert Chorale has given me the opportunity to sing in Norway, the Netherlands and Austria, as well as to establish new personal and professional connections.”
The Webers understand how meaningful students' achievements on an international stage can feel. Most recently, at the 2024 International Choral Competition Ave Verum in Austria, the UH Concert Chorale won the Grand Prix, with four out of six judges awarding the choir's performance a perfect score.
“It was both gratifying and thrilling,” Weber recalls. “I believe there was no other choir in the world that could have sung better than the Concert Chorale that day. They had worked incredibly hard.”
"I look forward to seeing UH crack that top 50. I fully believe we will achieve that.”
What the Webers value most about their time in the UH community is witnessing many hardworking students achieve their dreams.
“I love to see their development and progress,” Rick shares. “We enjoy following the students’ progress, even after graduation.”
They both value UH's core mission of providing a high caliber education to young people, regardless of their economic circumstances.
“That resonates with us deeply because we did not come from wealthy backgrounds," Betsy reflects. "Our goal has always been to give our students the best education possible, and since the choral studies program is comparable to the finest programs anywhere, I believe we have accomplished that.”
Rick emphasizes the connection between the success of University of Houston students and the city's overall prosperity. “Investing in the University of Houston is one of the most important things we can do to promote the future of the city,” he says. “The whole of Houston is intertwined with the success of its students.”
As Raymond Pappas' tenure with the UH Choral Studies program comes to an end, he shares his hope for its future. “I hope the Concert Chorale continues to uphold its high caliber of musicianship while maintaining a kind-hearted atmosphere.”
Betsy agrees, stating, “I think Concert Chorale has a culture that will continue to thrive with great pride and excellence. The school is vibrant and filled with brilliant, outstanding faculty who are dedicated to teaching. I envision only rainbows and unicorns in the future.”
The Webers have high expectations, not only for choral studies, but for the University as a whole.
"I look forward to seeing UH crack that top 50," Betsy adds. "I fully believe we will achieve that.”
From now until the end of the calendar year, every contribution or commitment made to the International Choral Studies Endowment will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis, as part of a matching gift initiative, with a maximum limit of $250,000. To make a donation, please click here.
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