justin langham
d.m.a.
Artistic Director | Houston Masterworks Chorus
Director of Music | St. Philip Presbyterian Church
Co-Founder/Artistic Director | Deux Voix
Teacher/Composer/Arranger/Gig Contractor | Langham Music LLC
As a conductor, I am privileged to serve both as Artistic Director of the Houston Masterworks Chorus, a community-driven organization representing 40 years of musical and cultural contributions in Houston, and Director of Music at St. Philip Presbyterian in Houston, Texas, leading an established music program where I create and plan music for weekly services, lead choral and instrumental ensembles, and coordinate the Music at St. Philip concert series, which brings a variety of musical performances annually enriches our community.
As a performer, I maintain an active freelance schedule in Houston, and am a founding member of the international musical duo Deux Voix (“two voices” in French), with whom I have presented over 400 concerts in 20 U.S. states and multiple overseas tours to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and France. I am also an award-winning composer and arranger, with music commissioned and performed around the U.S. as well as Italy, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
In addition to maintaining a private teaching studio and gig contracting business, I am active as a clinician, giving lectures and masterclasses for organizations like Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA), American Guild of Organists (AGO), and various colleges and universities around the country. I have also served as Adjunct Professor of Music in the Lone Star College System where I taught high brass, composition, and all levels of music theory and aural skills.
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, I earned a double Bachelor of Music in performance and composition from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, followed by my masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Houston.
Aside from musical activities, I love sports, traveling, and Mexican food. I currently live in the Museum District with my partner and most trusted collaborator, pianist Andreea Muț, and our Great Pyrenees-mix rescue, Risa.
WHO I AM.
CONDUCTOR.
As a conductor, I strive to build connections with the audience and each musician I collaborate with.
PERFORMER.
I enjoy performing in a variety of capacities, most often with colleague Stephen Distad in our internationally renowned musical duo Deux Voix.
COMPOSER.
I compose original works and arrangements. Learn more below or shop my music library!
EDUCATOR.
My passion is always to share my love of music to people who consider themselves musical as well as those that don’t!
RECOGNITIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS
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March 4
Appointed Artistic Director Designate of the Houston Masterworks Chorus.
May 1
Deux Voix performance at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas.
July 1
Began tenure as Artistic Director of the Houston Masterworks Chorus.
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Sunday November 20
Deux Voix performance at Fall Festival of Music at First Congregational Church in Dover, New Hampshire.
Friday November 18
Performance with Deux Voix at Congregational Church of Wells in Maine
Sunday September 15
Deux Voix performance at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX as part of their Summer Organ Series.
Friday July 26
“Programming for the Eclectic Church Choir” reading session at the Texas Choral Directors Association summer convention.
June 10 – 21
Deux Voix 10th anniversary concert tour to France. Locations included Paris, Versailles, Chartres, Mont Saint-Michel, and Aix-en-Provence, with concerts in Moudon and Aix-en-Provence.
Sunday May 19
Deux Voix concert at Christ Lutheran Church in Kokomo, Indiana.
Sunday May 12
Organized and led “Spring Spiritual Celebration,” a tribute to the history and development of the American Negro Spiritual featuring choir, orchestra, and variety of soloists, including five students from Texas Southern University, with music by AntonínDvořák, H.T. Burleigh, Moses Hogan, and John Rutter’s “Feel the Spirit.”
Friday May 3
Deux Voix 10th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser “Cheers to 10 more years!”
Sunday April 19
Deux Voix concert at Manchester United Methodist Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
Sunday February 4
Deux Voix organ dedication concert at First Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
Sunday February 1
Began tenure as Director of Music at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas.
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December 3 - Handel’s Messiah
Led a performance of the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah at First United Methodist Church Missouri City with professional orchestra, soloist, and the combined choirs of First UMC Missouri City and Christ Church Sugarland comprising of over 80 singers.
Sep 19 - Lecture at University of Houston
I was invited to present to the choral conducting graduate students my lecture “From Pit to Podium: Thoughts and Perspectives from Both Sides of the Baton,” which centers on choral conductors developing a more collaborative relationship with instrumentalists.
Sep 5–9 - Deux Voix Performances in Maine
Performances on September 6th at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, and September 8 at Ogunquit Baptist Church sponsored by the Ogunquit Performing Arts Capriccio Festival.
Aug 19 - Masterclass at HSPVA
Gave a masterclass for the trumpet students at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas.
Aug 18 & 25 - Soirée de Paris: Deux Voix 9th Anniversary Concerts
A program of all French music to celebrate and promote our upcoming 10th Anniversary tour to France in June of 2024. More information found HERE.
July 23 - Deux Voix House Concert in West Houston
Jul 21 - TCDA Presentation
“From Pit to Podium: Thoughts and Perspectives from Both Sides of the Baton,” centers on choral conductors developing a more collaborative relationship with instrumentalists. You can view the full presentation HERE.
Jul 11–14 - Conducting Fellow at the UNT Choral Conducting Symposium
A four-day choral conducting workshop hosted by the faculty University of North Texas, including Dr. Allen Hightower, Dr. Kristina Caswell MacMullen, and Dr. Brian Murray from the University of Wyoming.
Jun 27–30 - Composition Fellow at PREMIERE Project Festival
I was honored to have been selected as one of 15 Composition Fellows in the Choral Arts Initiative PREMIERE Project Festival, which takes place at Concordia University Irvine in beautiful Orange County, California. Along with the premieres of the other fellows, my commissioned work for the festival, “I believe in you, my soul,” was premiered on Friday June 30, the performance of which can be seen HERE.
May 15–26 - Deux Voix Scandinavian Tour
Concert tour of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, along with a group of supporters from the U.S., which included performances in Lund, Oslo, Frederikstad, and Gothenburg.
May 12 - Deux Voix Performance in Las Vegas
Performance at the Dr. Arturo Rando-Grillot Recital Hall on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, sponsored by the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Guild of Organists' Paul S. Hesselink Recital Series.
May 7 - Premiered Work at Memorial Drive UMC
My commissioned work, “Joyful Praise!” was premiered at Memorial Drive in honor of the retirement of Director of Music, Ann Ables.
May 7 - Spring Concert at First UMC Missouri City
Our annual spring program with orchestra, featuring works by Mahler, Vaughan Williams, and a selection of favorite choral anthems. A clip of the performance can be found HERE.
Apr 23 - Deux Voix Performance in Medina, WA
Performance at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, hosted by Director of Music and Liturgical Arts, Doug Cleveland.
Mar 14–18 - Deux Voix in Pennsylvania
Performances at Highland Presbyterian in Lancaster and Garth Art Gallery in Columbia.
Mar 5 - Deux Voix in Houston
Performance at St. John’s Presbyterian in Houston, Texas.
Feb 24 - Sam Houston State University Art Song Festival
I was thrilled to be invited to present a lecture and mini-recital as part of the 2023 Art Song Festival at SHSU. The presentation involved a lecture on the poetry of Harlem Renaissance writer, Georgia Douglas Johnson, and a performance of my song cycle “When I Rise Up,” which is comprised of five settings of poems by Johnson. The performance was beautifully given by baritone Dr. Lee Gregory and pianist Dr. Andreea Mut.
Jan 8 - Deux Voix in North Carolina
Performance at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Salisbury, North Carolina.
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Dec 25 - Story in Houston Chronicle
First UMC Ukulele Ensemble featured in a full-page story in the Houston Chronicle. A link to the story can be found HERE.
Dec 10 - First UMC “Christmas on the Corner”
First United Methodist Church’s annual Christmas program featuring every aspect of the music program, including handbells, chancel choir, soloists, kids choir, and ukulele ensemble.
Dec 9 & 10 - Messiah Performances at St. Agnes Academy
Dec 7 - Deux Voix Performance at Northwoods Presbyterian
Dec 4 - Messiah Performance at A&M United Methodist in College Station, TX
Dec 2 - Missouri City Chamber Singers Winter Concert
Chamber choir winter program “GLORIA” at First UMC Missouri City featuring works by Vivaldi, Handel, Chilcott, and others.
Nov 20 - Deux Voix House Concert in West Houston
Oct 27 & 28 - Phantom of the Organ Concerts at Memorial Drive UMC
Oct 23 - Deux Voix Event at Memorial City Mall
Sep 17 - Deux Voix Performance in Illinois
Concert at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Wheaton, Illinois.
Sep 9 - Deux Voix Concert at First UMC Missouri City
Aug 28 - Deux Voix 8th Anniversary Concert at Memorial Drive UMC
May 29–June 1 - Texas Annual Conference for the United Methodist Church
Served on worship planning team, contracted the orchestra, and performed during Memorial service.
May 22 - First UMC Spring Concert
Concert with choir and orchestra featuring a performance of “Feel the Spirit” cycle of spirituals arranged by John Rutter.
May 13 - Received doctorate
Graduated with my Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Houston.
May 7 - Deux Voix Performance in Kansas
Concert at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.
May 5 - Contemporary Music Recital at Lone Star College CyFair
Two arts songs performed as part of a faculty new music recital.
Apr 30 - Missouri City Chamber Singers Spring Concert
Chamber choir spring program “Songs of Peace” at First UMC Missouri City featuring works by Hogan, Bach, Chilcott, Miller, Mozart, and others.
Apr 5 - Doctoral Lecture Recital
Presented my lecture recital “The Life & Music of Oskar Böhme” as part of doctoral program at the University of Houston.
Mar 31 - Deux Voix at St. Paul’s Methodist Church
Performance as part of St. Paul’s Methodist Church’s annual Lenten Recital Series.
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Dec 19 - Messiah Performance
A&M United Methodist Church in College Station, TX
Dec 12 - Trumpet Masterclass for Houston Youth Symphony
Dec 11 & 12 - Messiah Performances
St. Agnes Academy in Bellaire, Texas.
Dec 5 - First UMC “Christmas on the Corner”
First United Methodist Church’s annual Christmas program featuring every aspect of the music program, including handbells, chancel choir, soloists, and kids choir.
Dec 3 - Missouri City Chamber Singers Winter Concert
Chamber choir winter program “Concert of Carols” at First UMC Missouri City featuring works by Forrest, Chilcott, Britten, and others.
Nov 29 - Hired to teach trumpet at Lone Star College University Park
Nov 14 - Deux Voix Performance at Pollard United Methodist
Concert at Pollard United Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas.
Nov 5 - Deux Voix Private House Concert
Oct 28 & 29 - Phantom of the Organ Concerts at Memorial Drive UMC
Feb 13 - Deux Voix Performance in Palm Springs, CA
Concert at the Metropolitan Community Church of the Coachella Valley.
MY MUSIC.
Some of my works, including original compositions and arrangements for choral and orchestra as well as some instrumental features. All available for purchase and immediate download!
