On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Houston Saengerbund presented its Third Annual Saengerbund Awards at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Midtown.

The eight finalists, selected from over 70 preliminary entries, competed before a distinguished panel of judges including professionals from the Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Opera in the Heights, and university professors from Texas State University and Baylor University.

A total of $7,500 in prizes was awarded.

The winner of the Richard E. McGinty Director Emeritus Award of $1,200 was Alexander native Emily Helenbrook (soprano, pictured above left), who performed "Spiel ich die Unschuld" by Johann Strauss II and "Schweig’ einmal still" by Hugo Wolf.

Helenbrook is a student at Rice University pursuing her Masters in Vocal Performance with Stephen King, Ph.D. She has performed several times as a featured soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic under the direction of JoAnn Falletta. She recently won the Getting to Carnegie Competition, which was held at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall.

About the Houston Saengerbund: Founded in 1883, the Houston Saengerbund is the oldest continuously active musical association in Houston, Texas.

The purpose of the Society is to cultivate and promote German singing and music, to preserve the German language, and to continue good German customs. The Houston Saengerbund has a Maennerchor (men's choir), Damenchor (women's choir), and Gemischter Chor (mixed choir).

For more information, please visit http://www.houstonsaengerbund.org/.