Ensemble to trek to Naperville more often

For six holiday seasons, the vocal ensemble Chicago a cappella has ventured from its base in the city to entertain in Naperville.

The group returns Sunday for its final performance in a four-concert series titled "Holidays a cappella: The Season of Light." The concert is at 4 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church.

But this time it won't be a whole year before the group returns to Naperville for the next holiday season. Chicago a cappella will perform "Romanticism and Rock and Roll" Feb. 10 at the same Naperville church as part of its winter concert schedule.

The decision to increase the group's presence in Naperville came at the urging of an ensemble member from Naperville.

"One of our longtime ensemble members lives in Naperville and teaches ensemble music to little kids," said Matthew Greenberg, the group's executive director.

Elizabeth Grizzell, a mezzo soprano, runs Musikgarten, a music education program targeted at children as young as 16 months, in her Naperville studio.

Greenberg said Grizzell noticed a dearth of ensemble performance in the area.

"There wasn't much music going on," Greenberg said.

That's beginning to change, thanks to Chicago a cappella. The nine-voiced group of four women and five men has been delivering richly nuanced performances without musical accompaniment for 15 seasons.

"It's really like chamber music," Greenberg said. "It's definitely kind of working without a net."

Sunday's program is to feature a variety of music, from Gregorian chants to Renaissance music to spirituals to contemporary music that celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah.

A highlight will be the performance of two new commissioned pieces, Greenberg said.

Chicago a cappella will perform a piece by Stacy Garrop, a Roosevelt University professor, that is based on a traditional Hebrew song titled "Lo Yisa Goy," Greenberg said.

The group also will perform a spiritual titled "Sistah Mary," composed by Rollo Dilworth, director of choral activities at North Park University School of Music in Chicago.

If you go

What: "Holidays a cappella: The Season of Light" concert by Chicago a cappella

When: 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Community United Methodist Church, 20 N. Center St., Naperville

Tickets: $35 for preferred seating, $28 for general admission, $22 for seniors 62 and older and students 23 and younger

Details: (773) 755-1628 or chicagoacappella.org