If the walls of the legendary Carnegie Hall concert venue could talk, they might hum melodies from Rudolf Nureyev’s career-defining revival of the ballet, “Swan Lake,” or roar with the excitement of thousands of fans singing along to “Till There Was You” at the Beatles’ iconic concert in 1964.
For over 130 years, artists across every genre have viewed performing at the Carnegie Hall as a pinnacle of artistic achievement. Its stages continue to be a point of convergence where history’s most celebrated musicians have inaugurated pieces of work that often transform culture on an international scale.
So, when HCU alumnus and professor Dr. Kevin Klotz and his choirs received a personal invitation from a best-selling songwriter to participate in a performance this fall, elation was an understatement.
A divinely orchestrated sequence of events opened the door to such an honor. As the Artistic Director of the Houston Choral Society (HCS) Choir, Dr. Klotz and the HCS Board of Directors commissioned Heather Sorenson to write a piece, “A Blessing for This Life,” and Sorenson was in attendance for the premiere last year. Inspired by their collaborative dynamic, the choir sponsored a lecture at HCU called “Conversations with Composer: Heather Sorenson.” At this lecture, HCU’s Schola Cantorum performed several selections, which included newest and unreleased works, by Heather Sorenson.
Sorenson has extended an invitation for Dr. Klotz (as the conductor) and his Schola Cantorum, University Singers, Houston Choral Society and choirs at St. Laurence Catholic Church to join her in a performance at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 17, 2025.
This event signals a new era where HCU’s music program transcends being one of the best in Houston, generating conversations about the department’s rise in prominence on a national stage. Dr. Klotz notes, “This is a wonderful opportunity for all, and I would love to continue taking our choirs on trips in the future. They’re incredible educational and memorable experiences for all.”
Unique to HCU, the music department and Dr. Klotz are also committed to creating learning experiences that are anchored in faith. Becoming a talented musician is one thing, but there is sustaining power in teaching Christian values to young musicians who will be presented with the temptation to compromise to get ahead. In an industry where it takes intentionality to not get lost in the singular pursuit of standing ovations, it’s imperative to model to students that their talent should be used to encourage audiences to reflect on God’s glory and not their own – particularly on stages as seismic as this.
“My faith guides all that I do. For Carnegie, we will be performing a sacred work, “Requiem” by Heather Sorenson. There are many opportunities to connect to our faith in these texts and to feel Christ’s love and mercy for us all.”
As Dr. Klotz continues to prepare for the performance one may ask how HCU’s music department has managed to balance this feat of establishing a voice that expresses both mastery in craft while embodying profound spiritual truths – and the answer of course is: practice, practice, practice.