Chicago a cappella celebrates 25 years with holiday concerts
Chicago a cappella, an accomplished and innovative vocal ensemble, celebrates its 25th anniversary season with a concert called "Holidays a cappella: Silver Bells."
It will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St. in Oak Park; 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 E. Chicago Ave. in Evanston; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at St. Clement Church, 642 W. Deming Place in Chicago; 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue at Delaware in Chicago; and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. in Naperville.
Founding Artistic Director Jonathan Miller has shaped Chicago a cappella into a successful and popular vocal group that brings to its audiences elegance, joy, and aesthetic pleasure.
This season's concerts are prepared by Principal Music Director John William Trotter and renowned guest music directors. "Holidays a cappella: Silver Bells" features guest music director Paul Nicholson and guest programmer Kathryn Kamp, who are happy to present a collection of fresh takes on beloved classics such as "O Tannenbaum," arranged by musical artist James Winfield, and the Hanukkah classic "Maoz Tzur" by Robert Applebaum, a prolific composer of choral music in both English and Hebrew.
Chicago a cappella will also perform contemporary hits such as an arrangement of "Winter Wonderland" from the hit a cappella group Pentatonix.
"Audiences will find comfort and joy as we revisit some of the most beloved arrangements we've sung over the past 25 years," Kamp says. "You'll be treated to new arrangements of classic songs of the season, including a 'Silver Bells' written especially for us by our friend and music director emeritus Patrick Sinozich. We look forward to continuing our silver anniversary with you."
Besides the compositions named above, Chicago a cappella will demonstrate a great number of beautiful and technically challenging songs. It will start the program with the introit of Christmas Day "Puer natus est nobis" from Plainchant, Mode 7.
The introit is a psalm, or antiphon, sung or said while the priest approaches the altar for the Eucharist, and "Puer natus est nobis" is definitely one of the best-known pieces of the Gregorian repertoire and has become a symbol of the ancient Christmas monodic tradition.
It will be followed by a traditional French Christmas carol called "Il est né, le divin Enfant" (He is born, the divine Child), arranged by American composer, arranger, conductor and teacher J. David Moore.
Another meaningful piece is "Shehecheyanu," which is a common Jewish prayer said to celebrate special occasions. It is also called a blessing for "firsts," as it shows gratitude for new and unusual experiences and marks joyous moments. It is known that this blessing is recorded in the Talmud, which indicates that it has been recited for more than 2,000 years. Chicago a cappella's founder and artistic director, Jonathan Miller, was proud to write music for this meaningful prayer.
It will be followed by a touching piece, "The Christ-Child's Lullaby," by acclaimed composer Gwyneth Walker, a spiritual called "Children Go Where I Send Thee" arranged by Robert Leigh Morris in a gospel-quartet style, a traditional Swedish song called "Kristallen den fina," arranged by Gunnar Eriksson, and "Convidando está la Noche" by 17th century Mexican composer, singer, viol player and teacher Juan García de Zespedes.
Chicago a cappella will also present "Gabriel's Message" arranged by British composer, arranger and orchestrator Jim Clements; "Jingle a cappella," based on "Jingle Bells" written in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont and arranged by James L. Clemens; and "Christmas Waltz," with lyrics written by Sammy Cahn, music by Jule Styne, and arranged by Paul Langford.
"The World for Christmas," written by Swedish composer and arranger Anders Edenroth, will conclude the concert program.
For tickets and information, call (773) 281-7820 or go to www.chicagoacappella.org.