FRIEND OF THE YEAR 2009:
James Ginsburg, Founder and President, Cedille Records

by Jonathan Miller, Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago a cappella:

It’s a great honor to be able to introduce to you and tell you a little bit about Jim Ginsburg, founder and president of Chicago’s own Cedille Records, and Chicago a cappella’s Friend of the Year for 2009.

Chicago a cappella and Cedille Records share a partnership. Cedille has released, to date, 110 recordings, two of which are by Chicago a cappella. The Cedille musical roster includes the leading lights of Chicago’s classical scene.

Now I must confess that I am rather in awe of Jim Ginsburg. I am in awe of Jim because of what he has accomplished for 20 years and what he stands for, which is the relentless pursuit of excellence in the recording of classical music. Jim and Chicago a cappella share a passion for unusual repertoire – music off the beaten path, stuff that not everyone has performed, and which has been put together in ways that make a unique contribution. Jim demands that the whole enchilada be unusual and inspiring: the artists, the repertoire, the conception of the program, and the musical execution.

Jim is a great businessman and arts entrepreneur. One aspect of Cedille that you may not know is that it is the only classical label these days, of which I’m aware, that actually compensates its artists – most of whom are not household names -- for their time in the recording sessions. That generosity has made our two CDs on Jim’s label go from great idea to reality, and for that we are most grateful.

Excellence can be a little bit lonely, in the following way. You set high standards for yourself and others. You have to tell a lot of very talented and well-meaning people that they don’t meet your standards, which in the English language comes in the form of the word “no.” Now I have been on the receiving end of a “no” from Jim Ginsburg. While it’s a hard pill to swallow, he always has good reasons, and, to his credit, he will tell you what they are. What I love about Jim is that he has good reasons for saying no because he has even better reasons for saying yes. And when, as an artist, you get a “yes” from Jim Ginsburg, life is really good.

So: for the times he has said “yes” to Chicago a cappella, in ways that have truly enriched our own lives as singers, as musicians and as an ensemble; for the discerning ear and tremendous commitment to excellence that he has shown from Day 1; for his contributions to put Chicago composers and classical musicians on the world map through first-class recordings; and for the collegiality and good will he shares with us and with the world around him, it is my honor and privilege to give you the Chicago a cappella 2009 Friend of the Year: Mr. Jim Ginsburg.