TREBLE CHOIR OF HOUSTON
AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
CIRCLESONG
Bob Chilcott | Houston Chamber Choir | Treble Choir of Houston
A work filled with ambition, Circlesong is a musical portrayal of the human life cycle as captured in the indigenous poetry of North America. Composed by Bob Chilcott and based on poetry from the Chinook, Comanche, Dakota, Eskimo, Iroquois, Kwakiutl, Navajo, Ojibwa, Pueblo, Seminole, Sioux, and Yaqui traditions, the thirteen movements, in seven parts, mark the different stages of life, from birth and childhood to adulthood, middle age and death. With energetic percussion accompaniment, climactic moments for tutti choir, tender unaccompanied passages and solo song, Circlesong is a work of impressive drama, variety, and depth, performed here by the Grammy® Award winning Houston Chamber Choir under Robert Simpson and the Treble Choir of Houston led by Marianna Parnas-Simpson.
UPCOMING EVENTS, SERVICES & PERFORMANCES
FEATURED MEDIA
"The Treble Choir of Houston is a first-rate group of young singers...Their sound is a fusion of all that is best in the North American and European traditions. They sing so musically and are mentored beautifully by their Director and Founder, Marianna Parnas-Simpson."
Bob Chilcott
Composer
ABOUT THE CHOIR
The Treble Choir of Houston at Christ Church Cathedral is an acclaimed ensemble of young women, grades 6-12, that provides outstanding musical training in a nurturing environment. Coming from widely diverse backgrounds, these young women are united in their pursuit of musical excellence.
The Choir's mission is to help each singer realize her full potential as a person and as a musician. Self-esteem, confidence, and leadership skills are cultivated through an environment of love, respect and support.
The Treble Choir was founded in 2006 by Marianna Parnas-Simpson. The Ensemble performs widely in the community and also serves as the resident children's choir at Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal), Houston. Some of the Choir's performance highlights include Carnegie Hall, the International Choral Festival in Powell River, British Columbia, and the Washington National Cathedral. Treble Choir of Houston was named the finalist of the 2021 National American Prize Competition in Youth Choir Division. The Treble Choir is extremely proud of its association with the Houston Chamber Choir and the opportunities it has had to participate in many of its projects, including the 2020 recording of Bob Chilcott's Circlesong album with Signum Classics.
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
MARIANNA PARNAS-SIMPSON
Marianna Parnas-Simpson is a graduate of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, Russia. She was the founder of KAMERTON, an award-winning St. Petersburg girls’ choir which she directed for ten years before coming to the United States. Since 1999, Ms. Simpson has taught at Parker Elementary School, a Houston ISD magnet school for music, where she has developed the choral program from 30 to 250 students. Parker Music Program received a Grammy® Award in 2002. In 2005, Ms. Simpson was named Teacher of the Year. From 2008 to 2010, Ms. Simpson served as the Artistic Director of the American Boychoir summer program in Princeton, New Jersey.
In 2006, Ms. Simpson founded the Treble Choir of Houston at Christ Church Cathedral. Her choirs have performed at Carnegie Hall and with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. They have been selected to perform at the national convention of the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators convention, Organization of American Kodaly Educators multiple times. In 2020, Parker Elementary School chorus was awarded 2nd place in the American Prize National Competition (Youth Choirs Division). Ms. Simpson is in demand as a clinician and guest conductor, offering masterclasses and conducting honor choirs throughout the United States and abroad. Additionally, she is a founding member of the Grammy® Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir. She recorded six CDs distributed by MSR and Signum labels.
ACCOMPANIST
TOM MARVIL
Tom Marvil is an Associate Director of Music and Organist at Saint John Vianney Catholic Church. He holds a bachelor’s of music degree from Westminster Choir College and completed his master’s degree at the University of Houston while also serving as Organ Scholar at Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal). Prior to joining the music staff at SJV, he was the Assistant Director of Music at St. Anne Catholic Community in Houston. In addition to his work as a church musician, he is active as an accompanist in Houston area schools and is a private piano instructor.
CONTACT US
REHEARSALS
Tuesdays: 5pm - 7pm
Monthly Saturday: 10am - 12pm
SUPPORT US
Now giving is even easier! Make an online tax-deductible donation to The Treble Choir of Houston at Christ Church Cathedral.
The Treble Choir of Houston is unique amongst Houston's Youth and Children's choirs in offering the highest quality musical training and experience without charging tuition.
We strive to keep annual fees low for families, limiting out of pocket expenses to cover the cost of concert dresses, and food provided for the choir. Our goal is to be accessible to all singers and families and spread the love of choral music without financial barriers.
Your generous support can help in our mission, enable participation and program growth.
Thank you for you generous support of the Treble Choir!
You may also send a check, payable to Christ Church Cathedral and reference Treble Choir of Houston in the memo line of your check.
Send your tax deductible donation to:
Christ Church Cathedral
1117 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002