Search
Diana Davis '17 to Perform With Houston Symphony Chorus
-
October 2, 2017
Diana Davis ’17 was recently accepted into the Houston Symphony Chorus and will be performing with the group for five shows throughout the 2017-18 season.
Davis, currently taking classes at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) and Lone Star College, is the youngest member of the 160-person chorus and one of just 25 new members for this season.
Joining the chorus wasn’t always a goal for Davis, who needed a bit of prodding from two members of the Fine Arts faculty at Frassati Catholic, Dr. Lindsay Medina and Dr. Cody Medina.
“I first heard about the chorus from Dr. Lindsay Medina, who encouraged me to audition after I expressed to her my concern of not being able to keep up with singing once college started,” said Davis. “At first I was hesitant because I didn’t think I was experienced enough to get in, but after extensive encouragement from both Drs Medina, I decided to go for it and ended up learning the audition music in just a week.”
This season, the chorus will perform Dvorak’s Te Deum, Very Merry Pops, Handel’s Messiah, Stavinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, and Brahm's German Requiem.
“I am most looking forward to singing Handel’s Messiah and Dvorak’s Te Deum, which is the current piece I am working on now,” said Davis. “Messiah is a timeless piece and I have always wanted to be more familiar with it. Dvorak’s Te Deum is a piece that has very much grown on my since I began working on it. The lyrics combined with the melodies truly capture its subject matter: giving thanks to God during Holy Mass.”
While at Frassati Catholic, Davis was recognized for her vocal performances on numerous occasions by the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA), and said her time working with the Medinas helped her refine her vocal skill.
“Chorus at Frassati Catholic has prepared me extremely well for the symphony chorus,” she said. “At Frassati, I gained an extensive knowledge of theory and terminology along with learning how to act in a professional manner both in rehearsal and performances. Participating in TPSMEA solo and ensemble also greatly prepared me for the audition process by getting me familiar with being judged and critiqued face to face. These skills have been key to my success in the Houston Symphony Chorus. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of the Drs. Medina who coached me through the audition process.”
Dr. Cody Medina, who has sung with the Houston Grand Opera Chorus, said he is thrilled about this opportunity for Diana.
"I cannot express how proud I am of this accomplishment. The Houston arts scene is, year after year, considered to be among the very best - especially where vocal music is concerned. It's an amazing achievement for an eighteen-year-old to be accepted into the Houston Symphony Chorus, but it's incredible that she was offered the opportunity to sing for every performance this season. I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a long, healthy relationship between her and the Symphony. Diana can hold her head high as she shares God's incredible gift with such an extraordinary group of people."
Dr. Lindsay Medina echoed these sentiments and expressed how proud she is of Diana’s accomplishment.
“Every teacher hopes that their student will take what they have learned and use it to experience bigger and better things, and Diana is doing just that,” she said. “Music has the power to move people -- to comfort the hurting, to reinvigorate a shaky faith, and to express the beauty and joy we experience every day. I am so proud that Diana has chosen to continue to share her gifts with the greater Houston community.”
In addition to her work with the symphony chorus, Davis is taking courses at SFA for nursing as she pursues her goal of becoming an R.N. upon graduation.
“After college I plan to start working as an R.N., preferably at Texas Children’s, and eventually go to grad school for an MSN. I strive to not only save lives, but to uphold the dignity of the human person and touch the lives of each one of my patients. I also plan to continue singing with the chorus as it has already proven itself to be both a wonderful creative outlet and a way to keep up my singing abilities.”
*At the time of our interview with Davis, she was preparing to perform Te Deum with the chorus. The group performed the piece September 14, 16, and 17.
Learn more about the Houston Symphony Chorus and the schedule for the 2017-18 season here.
###
About Frassati Catholic High School: Founded in 2013, Frassati Catholic High School serves the families and parishes in the north Houston area of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Administered by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation from Nashville, TN, Frassati Catholic High School prepares students to walk on the path of true happiness through a robust college-preparatory curriculum rooted in the Catholic faith. The school currently serves students in grades 9-12. For more information about Frassati Catholic High School, contact Kyle Smith, director of communications, at 832-616-3227.
