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UNAIC Plus, the chamber choir of the United Nations Association International Choir, will present a program on Friday, December 7 at the Rothko Chapel entitled Songs From Our Souls in commemoration of United Nations Human Rights Day.

The choir has chosen a wide variety of songs from around the world, both classical and folk, that reflect and celebrate the rich heritage of human creative impulse that continues to give voice to who we are as human beings and as partners in our global community. In addition to singing songs in native languages from Azerbaijan, Israel, Jamaica, South Africa, Spain, Germany, and the United States, the choir will present Lili Boulanger's haunting Vieille Priere Bouddhique (An Ancient Buddhist Prayer) and In Memoriam: Anne Frank by the contemporary British composer Howard Goodall. The latter pieces express and emphasize the unique dignity of every human being and cry out for acceptance and unity among all people.

UNAIC Plus is comprised of twenty-two members who, like the larger ensemble from which they are selected, are racially, culturally, and socially diverse and share a passion for making music under the auspices of an organization dedicated to tolerance and peace. The United Nations Association International Choir seeks to provide residents of the greater Houston area with an opportunity to participate in musical activities within a friendly and supportive environment that is diverse and accepting in every way. The Choir is sponsored by the Houston Chapter of the United Nations Association (www.unahouston.org) and is under the direction of Dr. Phillip Kloeckner.

Phillip Kloeckner is beginning his fifth season as artistic director of the United Nations Association International Choir. His tenure with the ensemble has been marked by significant growth and increasing diversity. Under his leadership the choir has established its place in the Houston cultural landscape by presenting premieres and revivals of numerous works unavailable elsewhere. With the motto, "singing with people and in languages from around the world in the universal language of music," the choir has been invited to sing for several auspicious events.

Last year, the Choir was invited to join forces with Jordanian pianist Zade Dirani and the Roads To You international assembly of musicians in their first tour of the United States. In September, 2006, the choir sang on the steps of City Hall at the invitation of the Mayor's office and Sister Cities of Houston, in recognition of its fiftieth anniversary, and for the City's fifth commemoration of the 9/11 tragedy. Most recently, at the invitation of the Brilliant Lecture Series, Maestro Kloeckner led the choir in a performance that preceded former Secretary General Kofi Annan's first appearance in the United States since leaving the United Nations.

Dr. Kloeckner is a critically acclaimed conductor, organist, and harpsichordist whose numerous live performances and radio broadcasts have been heard throughout North and South America as well as in Europe. Author and pedagogue, Dr. Kloeckner is on the faculty of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University where he teaches a wide variety of courses in organ, music theory, ear training, keyboard skills, and church music. His interest and research in the field of 19th-century organs led him to the first comprehensive study of these instruments in Peru and to the discovery of a long-lost organ sent to South America by the legendary nineteenth-century French builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll.

Dr. Kloeckner served as Organist and Director of Music at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Lake Jackson for 18 years. He currently serves on the Music Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and is Chair of the Artist Recital Series Committee of the Houston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

This program is partially funded by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

Seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We appreciate your RSVPs for counting purposes. Click here to RSVP