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Even with the shuttering of the San Antonio Symphony last year, the San Antonio Mastersingers, the oldest symphonic chorus in Texas, offered a brilliant 78th season of choral performances at the highest level, including a performance in Carnegie Hall.
The chorus now enters its 79th season ready to bring audiences outstanding concerts, distinguished soloists and exciting musical experiences, thanks to the continued generous support of sponsors, donors and fans.
The nonprofit, all-volunteer chorus features more than 100 of the most talented singers from San Antonio and South Texas. Under the artistic leadership of the rising star and Mastersingers’ own “maestra,” Music Director Yoojin Muhn, the Mastersingers take the risers first with “Sacred Echoes,” an inspiring program featuring Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. This uplifting concert will be held in the beautiful Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E. Basse Rd., on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for general admission, $60 for VIP seating and $10 for students. To purchase tickets, please visit samastersingers.org/concerts.
“This promises to be a deeply moving performance filled with powerful emotions and sublime harmonies,” Muhn said. The concert also will include Nick Strimple’s Franciscan Canticles featuring a virtuoso tenor solo by Metropolitan Opera chorus member Cameron Schutza.
The delightful and accomplished Children’s Chorus of San Antonio (CCSA) will join the Mastersingers for Chichester Psalms as they introduce their concert choir, a premier treble ensemble of singers in sixth through ninth grades.
Directed by Carolyn Cruse and celebrating its 40th anniversary season, CCSA features Children’s Chorus soprano Ryan Ballinger for Chichester Psalms and also will present standalone selections including Bernstein’s Gloria Tibi, featuring soloist Hector Tobar, and Steve Heitzeg’s O, Colored Earth.
“These young musicians are involved in many activities both at school and in the community, and they have a passion for singing and performing,” said Cruse. “This concert is the inaugural performance of this new CCSA concert choir, and we are grateful to Mastersingers for the opportunity!”
The longtime and beloved holiday tradition of the Mastersingers presentation of The Messiah takes place on Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. at University Methodist Church. Accompanying the chorus will be musicians from the San Antonio Philharmonic as well as thrilling soloist performances. Tickets are $30 for general admission, $60 for VIP seating and $15 for students. To purchase tickets, please visit samastersingers.org/concerts.
The Mastersingers have performed in such locations as New York City’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, London’s Royal Festival Hall and major venues in Italy, Portugal, Spain and France. In June 2022 the Mastersingers embarked on a concert tour to the United Kingdom, which culminated with a choral evensong at the venerable St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Muhn conducted the Mastersingers as they performed Mozart’s Requiem with the New York City Chamber Orchestra in Manhattan Concert Productions’ Masterwork Series at Carnegie Hall in June 2023.
In June 2024, the chorus will travel to Austria and the Czech Republic for a 10-day tour. Supporters of the Mastersingers are invited to join the chorus on this exciting tour.
Muhn also serves as the director of choral activities at UTSA. Prior to coming to Texas, she served as the artistic director of the Tucson Masterworks Chorale in Arizona and received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music with honors from the University of Southern California. She is in high demand as a guest conductor for all-state and regional choirs.
The Children’s Chorus of San Antonio is dedicated to enriching and expanding the experiences of young people through high-quality music education experiences. The organization features seven citywide community choruses and an extensive early childhood music program that provides inspirational and transformative musical experiences for hundreds of children each year. More information about CCSA’s 40th anniversary season is available at www.ChildrensChorusSA.org.
The San Antonio Mastersingers’ 79th season also includes:
• Nov. 29, 2023 — Andrea Bocelli and Classical Musical Institute Orchestra at Frost Bank Center
• Dec. 3, 2023 — Handel: Messiah with musicians of the SA Philharmonic at University Methodist Church
• Feb. 23 and 24, 2024 — Corigliano: Fern Hill with SA Philharmonic at First Baptist Church
• April 7, 2024 — Theatrical Serenade, a choral performance blending opera and musical theatre at St. Philip’s College
• May 10 and 11, 2024 — Brahms: Nänie/Schicksaslied with SA Philharmonic at First Baptist Church)
• June 2024 — International choral tour to Austria and the Czech Republic
