Chicago a cappella rings in the season with 25th annual ‘Holidays a cappella’
Chicago a cappella, an unaccompanied vocal ensemble, kicks off the holiday season with “Holidays a cappella” on Dec. 4-13.
A popular tradition celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, “Holidays a cappella” explores how centuries of music have expressed the wonder of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the winter season, from ancient chants and Renaissance carols to contemporary works and cherished holiday classics.
Rich with beauty, warmth, and timeless tradition, this treasured annual concert invites audiences to experience the holidays through music old and new. It kicks off at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago before making stops in Oak Park, Naperville and Evanston.
Additionally, a special family-friendly edition of the concert will take place at p.m. Dec. 11 at Fourth Presbyterian. Tickets are on sale now at chicagoacappella.org.
The program includes works from throughout history and across the globe from Palestrina’s 16th-century double-choir setting of the “Magnificat” to a world premiere arrangement of “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” by Chicago a cappella’s own artistic director John William Trotter.
It visits Scandinavia via Kim André Arnesen’s arrangement of the Norwegian carol “Lovely is the Dark Blue Sky” then moves to Spain with “Hacia Belén va un Borrico,” a theatrical, upbeat children’s carol about a donkey. The program includes two pieces from Chicago a cappella’s 2023 album “Miracle of Miracles: Music for Hanukkah”: Robert Applebaum’s “Funky Dreidel,” a jazzy take on the familiar dreidel melody, and “Biy’mey Mattiyahu” by founder and longtime artistic director Jonathan Miller, which uses text from the core of the Hanukkah service. Familiar classics like “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” and many more, round out the program before it comes to a rousing end with “Nutcracker Medley,” arranged by Jamey Ray.
The family-friendly edition on Dec. 11 will feature a shorter program with additional sing-alongs and activities designed for children, with cheaper ticket prices and free entry for kids under age 5. Families are invited to bring children of all ages for this fun and relaxed program curated especially for kids.
“Holidays a cappella has been a beloved tradition for us, our singers, and our audiences for 25 seasons,” said Matt Greenberg, executive director. “This year, the theme is folding together the old and the new, incorporating music both ancient and modern — sometimes in the same piece. With our opening concert on the first night of Hanukkah this year, we really are ushering in the holiday season, and we can’t wait to celebrate this special time of year with our audiences throughout Chicagoland.”
The singers include sopranos Megan Bell, Rebecca Fitzpatrick, and Amanda Kohl; mezzo-sopranos Miya Higashiyama and Chelsea Lyons; tenors Trevor Mitchell and Alan Taylor; and basses Matthew Brennan, Adam Kosberg and Joe Labozetta. Co-music directors are John William Trotter and Ryan Cox.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, in the Buchanan Chapel at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. in Chicago; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St. in Oak Park; 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. in Naperville; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave. in Evanston
The special family-friendly Holidays a cappella concert will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at Buchanan Chapel at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St. in Chicago
Tickets are $45 to $65 when purchased in advance and increase $5 at the door. A limited number of $10 student tickets and pay-what-you-can tickets available at select performances. Tickets for the family-friendly concert are $35, $10 for kids ages 5-18, or free for kids under age 5.
In addition, audiences have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to receive a link to a digital version of the performance to stream from home beginning the week of Dec. 21. Further discounts are available for members and groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available now at chicagoacappella.org.