Join DuPage Chorale in premiering longtime director's 'Remember US' at May 1 concert; rehearsals begin Jan. 24

The DuPage Chorale, a large community chorus based at College of DuPage, welcomes new members for its spring 2022 season.

Spring rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, in McAninch Arts Center at the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.

Rehearsals continue until the May 1 concert, which will Mozart's "Requiem" and the premiere of director Lee Kesselman's "Remember US."

The concert will be accompanied by the DuPage Chorale Orchestra.

Mozart's "Requiem" is one of the most famous and beloved pieces in the entire choral repertoire. The work was left incomplete at the time of Mozart's death in 1791, but excerpts regularly are heard in films, commercials, and other parts of popular culture.

Kesselman's "Remember US" is a both a choral and orchestral tribute to many of the forgotten voices of America.

The libretto includes words from recent immigrants, suffragists, Native American and Harlem Renaissance poets, the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Statue of Liberty, among others. "Remember US" was four days from its scheduled premiere in 2019, when that concert was canceled.

The May concert also marks Kesselman's final performance since becoming director in 1981.

He joined College of DuPage 41 years ago and serves as director of choral activities and music program chair at the college.

He also is past-president of the Illinois Choral Directors Association.

Singers can register for the DuPage Chorale online at myaccess.cod.edu, under the course code, MUS 1150, by telephone at (630) 942-2555 or in-person at COD's Registration Office.

Singers may also register at the first rehearsal by coming at 6:30 p.m. to MAC Room 140. All members must register and the group rehearses on Monday nights.

There is no audition for DuPage Chorale membership. Adult singers of all voice types and ages are welcome.

For more information, contact Kesselman at kesselma@cod.edu.