Terri Hemmert joins Chicago a cappella in 'The History of Rock and Soul, Part Two'
"The music is huge. I consider it a privilege to do what I do, turn people on to music and tell them about issues," said Terri Hemmert, an American radio personality, musicologist and instructor at Columbia College Chicago.
Hemmert, with her devotion to profession, love to music and endless enthusiasm, is happy to be part of the concert program called "The History of Rock and Soul, Part Two," presented by beloved Chicago a cappella.
This concert program will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, April 13, at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Oak Park; 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston; 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15, at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville; and 8 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Logan Center for the Arts in Chicago (Hyde Park).
The ensemble makes its debut at intimate Lincoln Hall in Chicago with its special performance of this concert program at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22.
Being a highly recognized and respected figure in the Chicago musical world, Terri Hemmert possesses an unbeatable knowledge and passion for music, which she has been passing around for decades. She has been a disc jockey on WXRT/Chicago for more than forty years sharing "Chicago's Finest Rock" with music lovers. Hemmert is also known for her affection for the music of the Beatles, which since 2002 has been reflected in her hosting WXRT's "Breakfast with the Beatles." She was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2010.
Hemmert has ongoing successful relationships with many cultural institutions around Chicago, and one of them is Chicago a cappella. She has led post-concert lectures for Chicago a cappella's "Baroque and Beatles" concerts and serves as emcee for the company's annual Gala. Being a longtime teacher, Hemmert teaches a course on The History of Rock and Soul at Columbia College Chicago, which became the basis for Chicago a cappella's upcoming concert program. Two years ago, Hemmert participated in the first part of The History of Rock and Soul. That was when Terri Hemmert and acclaimed Chicago a cappella successfully pared down her ten-week course into a two-hour concert for the first time.
"This is a sequel to one of our most popular concerts ever, which we did in 2016," said Matt Greenberg, executive director at Chicago a cappella. "The amazing Terri Hemmert, who has been on the air at WXRT for 40-plus years, is the guiding force. She teaches a class at Columbia College Chicago called "The History of Rock and Soul," and we are basically bringing her syllabus to life! Terri has a deep knowledge of popular musical history, and she has exquisite taste. In addition to being our area's foremost rock music expert, she is a choral singer and classical music fan, so she understands how to bridge those two."
"The History of Rock and Soul, Part Two" will feature 20 new arrangements of favorite rock and soul hits. Chicago a Cappella will present these popular songs in a new unforgettable manner. The beautiful singing of this 10-voice ensemble will be complemented by Terri's delightful and inspiring onstage narration, and together they will make their audiences sway on the waves of immortal rock and soul music.
"For this concert, we're starting in the early '70s with singer-songwriters like Carole King and James Taylor, and the group will sing styles including soul, progressive rock, 'glam' rock, disco, reggae, punk, and new wave," noted Greenberg. "It's a fun challenge for our singers to change styles, and they'll have plenty of opportunities at this concert! Audiences will recognize the songs and hear them in a brand new way. Our music director emeritus, Patrick Sinozich, has returned to lead this concert, and he wrote all new arrangements especially for this program."
Sinozich has been involved with Chicago a cappella since its 1993 founding, when he served as Chicago a cappella's occasional rehearsal coach and accompanied its very first auditions. Sinozich became Chicago a cappella's first music director in 2007 and devoted five very successful years to this ensemble. He is also an acclaimed pianist, vocal coach, and chamber musician and is on the musical staff of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Grant Park Music Festival.
His contribution to both Chicago a cappella's concert programs, "The History of Rock and Soul" that took place in 2016 and "The History of Rock and Soul, Part Two," is greatly appreciated and valued. His clever new arrangements and music direction fill this concert program with fun and passion.
Rock and soul music has been attracting many people since the beginning of its existence. It is the sound of a new, youthful generation, and Chicago a cappella is happy to present this beautiful concert program and celebrate this unique music. Carole King, Elton John, 1970s soul, disco, punk rock, progressive rock, new wave, Fleetwood Mac, and Steely Dan - this is just a short list of musical styles and names of the musical groups and singers whose songs will be presented during "The History of Rock and Soul, Part Two" concert program. Music is immortal, and the sounds of rock and soul are still alive today. You can call it funky, you can call it fun, or you can call it charismatic and energetic. No matter what you call it, Chicago a cappella will make sure that you enjoy your night listening to their energetic and talented presentation of these timeless hits.
For tickets and information, visit www.chicagoacappella.org or call (773) 281-7820.
Ticket prices range from $15 to $43.
Tickets sold at the door of the performances incur a $2 fee.
"The History of Rock and Soul, Part Two" will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, April 13, at Pilgrim Congregational Church at 460 Lake St. in Oak Park; 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. in Evanston; 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15, at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. in Naperville; and 8 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. in Chicago.
A special performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.