Vision
Performing diverse masterworks, showcasing new compositions and talent, moving people out of their ordinary.
Mission
A choral community celebrating and connecting people through the power of music inspiring, uplifting, and educating.
About Us
Houston Masterworks Chorus
Bringing the world’s classics to Houston since 1986
HMC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
From concert halls to outdoor neighborhood venues, Houston Masterworks Chorus (HMC) brings the world’s choral masterworks to Houston. We perform audience favorites from Beethoven, Mozart, and Handel, to works from contemporary composers such as Grammy award winning Christopher Tin, English composer Will Todd, and internationally known, Heitor Villa-Lobos. Our repertoire ranges from oratorios and art songs, to Afro-Brazilian dances and American Jazz.
Artistic Director, Dr. Paulo Gomes, conducts the auditioned, volunteer chorus showcasing Houston’s cultural richness through diverse choral masterworks. Dr. Gomes, Director of Vocal Division and Choral Activities at Lone Star College-CyFair holds conducting degrees from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Boston University, and the University of Houston.
HMC builds music connections through partnerships and our choral community connects people through the power of music. We bring the music to you! Traveling small ensembles remove barriers to in-person attendance through several outreach events.
Multidisciplinary concerts showcase a variety of local talent through new compositions and reimagined choral favorites. Recent projects featured the Ad Deum Dance Company and West Side High School’s Inertia Dance Company.
HMC’s Young Singer Competition encourages talented high school students to continue singing after high school as a vocation or as a profession.
HMC spearheaded “United in Song”, a virtual festival of five Houston community choirs with over 200 singers: three classically-inspired (Houston Masterworks Chorus, Houston Choral Society, Houston Cecilia Chamber Choir), Houston Show Choir, and one barbershop a cappella group (Space City Sound). (2020)
Our singers represent a wide spectrum of ages and ethnicities.The accessible rehearsal schedule allows busy singers and those reentering the choral community to maintain their love of singing for a lifetime. Belonging is more important than ever, and HMC’s supportive and inclusive choral community aims to meet this crucial need. With singers aged from 17-80+, we provide singing for a lifetime. Over 97% of our singers return each year because they see the value and impact our work does in their own lives and communities.
Won’t you join us on our journey? You can support Houston’s music community and help HMC remove barriers to live music for those who are financially challenged, in recovery, or homebound.
Connect with us if you’re interested in changing the lives of those who sing and those who listen.
HMC History
- Dr. Ara Carapetyan and his wife Cherrie, founded The Houston Oratorio Society in 1986, now known as the Houston Masterworks Chorus.
- Director Bob Brewer developed insights into the great masterworks.
- Dr. Allen Hightower expanded the chorus and increased musicianship.
- Dr. Craig Hella Johnson explored contemporary composers, broadened audiences, and increased sponsorships.
- Tom Jaber took us from Carnegie Hall, New York City, to Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy.
- Dr. Paulo Gomes introduces us to unique partnerships and multicultural music and directed the Chorus in Hawaii for the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of Pearl Harbor, 2021.
- In 2021, The HMC Young Singer Competition was established to encourage high school vocal students to sing past high school no matter their future vocation.
Partnerships and Collaborations
- Chapelwood United Methodist Church
- Opera on Tap
- Silambam Dance
- Monarch Chamber Players, Brazos Valley Orchestra, Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra
- Houston Jazz Band, Terra Nostra Ensemble, Houston Youth Symphony
- Festival Hill Institute
- Houston Boychoir
- Houston Show Choir, Space City Sound, Houston Choral Society, Houston Cecilia Choir
- HISD Westside Inertia Dance Company, Ad Deum Dance Company