FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2011
For More Information: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (773) 281-7820
Chicago, IL — The acclaimed vocal ensemble Chicago a cappella will present every shade of the holiday season at their new concert, Holidays a cappella. From cheerful and funny to sacred and meditative, the program will include Renaissance music, Chanukah songs, carols from around the world, contemporary works, and familiar holiday favorites. Musical treasures include works by American composers Morten Lauridsen and Chester Alwes, Artistic Director Jonathan Miller’s “Longfellow’s Carol,” and Chicago composer Wayland Rogers’ arrangement of “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming.” As evidence of its diverse musical taste, Chicago a cappella will also premiere Music Director Patrick Sinozich’s arrangement of Matisyahu’s Hasidic hip-hop song, “Miracle.” Celebrate this magical time with the virtuoso voices of Chicago a cappella.
Holidays a cappella will take place Saturday, December 3, at 8:00 pm, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. in Evanston, IL; Sunday, December 4, at 4:00 pm, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St. in Oak Park, IL; Friday, December 9, at 8:00 pm, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Michigan Avenue at Delaware in Chicago, IL; and Sunday, December 11, at 4:00 PM, at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. in Naperville, IL. For tickets and information, visit www.chicagoacappella.org or call (773) 281-7820.
Treasures and Traditions
From gorgeous Renaissance settings to uplifting African-American spirituals, Chicago a cappella will revel in worldly holiday traditions from past to present in Holidays a cappella. The tradition of carols from the early Renaissance is reflected beautifully in the austere “In Natali Domini” from the 14th century and “Resonet in Laudibus,” a joyous arrangement by acclaimed University of Illinois composer and professor Chester Alwes. Familiar Christmas melodies get new treatments in Chicago composer Wayland Rogers’ “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” and Stephen Hatfield’s “Un Flambeau, Jeanneatte, Isabella.” Another American composer, Morten Lauridsen, gives us the meditative “O Nata Lux” from his cycle Lux Aeterna, and Chicago a cappella Founder and Artistic Director Jonathan Miller offers his brand new work, “Longfellow’s Carol.” The ensemble travels to Sweden with Gunnar Erickson’s exotic folk song “Jesus från Nasaret.” And the jubilant side of Christmas is heard in two African-American spirituals, Roland Carter’s arrangement of “Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow,” and a Chicago a cappella favorite, “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”
Holiday Favorites with a Twist
Chicago a cappella will celebrate the fun and light-hearted side of the holidays with playful arrangements of familiar favorites. Music from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker gets an a cappella twist with Jeff Funk’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies” and “Waltz of the Flowers.” Artistic Director Jonathan Miller’s arrangement “Jingle Bells Hallelujah Chorus” is a comical melding of the two Christmas classics. Audiences will get a taste of Chanukah with the premiere of Music Director Patrick Sinozich’s arrangement of “Miracle,” a hip-hop-infused song by the Hasidic Jewish musician Matisyahu. The blend of Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip hop beatbox sounds brings a decidedly contemporary slant to the Festival of Lights. A more prayerful celebration of Chanukah comes from composer Robert Applebaum’s poignant “Haneirot Halalu.” Other season favorites heard in heartwarming and memorable settings include “Joy to the World” (arranged by Phillip Lawson), “We Three Kings” (arranged by Darmon Meader) and Rich Manners’ swinging setting of “Carol of the Bells.”
Chicago a cappella
Chicago a cappella is one of the area’s most accomplished and innovative vocal ensembles. Spanning a repertoire from Gregorian chant to the Beatles and beyond, the group is launching its 18th season under founding Artistic Director Jonathan Miller. With musical preparation by Music Director Patrick Sinozich, the ensemble was hailed as “boundary-busting” (Chicago Tribune) and has been praised for their “well-balanced tone and deep emotional involvement” (Washington Post).
Calendar Editors, Please Note:
[Category: Performing Arts / Music / Classical Music]
Chicago a cappella: Holidays a cappella
Sat., 12/3/11, 8:00 pm, Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL
Sun., 12/4/11, 4:00 pm, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park, IL
Fri., 12/9/11, 8:00 pm, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Michigan Avenue at Delaware, Chicago, IL
Sun., 12/11/11, 4:00 pm, Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL
Tickets: $35 / $28 / $22 seniors / $12 students / group rates available
Tickets: (773) 281-7820 or www.chicagoacappella.org
Chicago a cappella is partially supported by the Klaff Family Foundation; the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development; Dr. Scholl Foundation; a CityArts Program 2 grant from the City of Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; the Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Villages of Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest; and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. The Naperville Sun is a media sponsor for Chicago a cappella’s series at Wentz Hall in Naperville.
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