The Houston-area United Nations Association International Choir will continue to act out its motto -- "Singing with people and in languages from around the world in the universal language of music" -- in its 2011-2012 season. The choir, which currently has more than 100 members representing 25 nations, 15 languages and ages ranging from 16 to 80 years, will perform for its holiday concert traditional and non-traditional music of the season sung in native languages, as well as several choruses from Handel's Messiah, according to a release.

The second half of the season, which is the choir's thirteenth, will be highlighted by a performance of Ernest Bloch's Sacred Service (Avodath Hakadosh), which has not been performed in Houston since 1987.

The holiday performance will take place on December 10 and will include collaboration with the Houston Brass Band. The choir will perform Sacred Service on May 20 at Rice University's Stude Concert Hall, 6100 Main Street. Baritone Carlton Ford will sing the part of cantor.

The choir also announced open auditions for membership, which will be held on August 14 and 21. Auditions are by appointment only to all residents of the greater Houston area in high school or older. Those interested in joining the choir can call 713-301-4024 to schedule an audition, or they can sign up on the choir's web site at www.unaic.org.

Rehearsals are held every Monday evening, 7 to 9:30 p.m., mid-August through mid-May, and the first Saturday of every month, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Prior singing experience and the ability to sight-read is appreciated, but not required. "Each singer brings unique gifts and talents to this endeavor, and when we offer them in the context of the Choir, whether in rehearsal or performance, the power of our creative diversity becomes a tangible force for creating goodwill, joy, and limitless contributions," Artistic Director Phillip Kloeckner said in the release.