Chicago a cappella - Holidays a cappella

Holidays a cappella Sunday, December 1, 2013, 4:00 pm Fourth Presbyterian Church Michigan Avenue at Delaware, Chicago

Saturday, December 7, 2013, 8:00 pm St. Clement Church 642 W. Deming Pl., Chicago

Friday, December 6, 2013, 8:00 pm St. Michael Catholic Church 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton

Sunday, December 8, 2013, 4:00 pm Pilgrim Congregational Church 460 Lake St., Oak Park

Saturday, December 14, 2013, 8:00 pm Nichols Concert Hall 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston

Chicago a cappella

Megan Bell, Soprano Alexia Kruger, Soprano Margaret Quinnette, Soprano Elizabeth Grizzell, Mezzo-soprano Emily Price, Mezzo-soprano Micah Dingler, Tenor Garrett Johannsen, Tenor Michael Roemer, Baritone Joe Labozetta, Bass Benjamin Rivera, Bass

Founder and Artistic Director

Guest Music Director

Jonathan Miller

Anne Heider

Chicago a cappella is supported by the Klaff Family Foundation; the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s International Connections Fund; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Pauls Foundation; the Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Villages of Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest; and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Season Sponsors: The Homestead Hotel and Merit School of Music. Media Sponsor: The Naperville Sun.

Holidays a cappella

1

A B O U T C H I C AG O A C APPE LL A An ensemble of professional singers founded in 1993 by Jonathan Miller, Chicago a cappella presents an annual Chicago-area subscription series, creates studio recordings as well as live and broadcast-media musical content, and gives performances on tour and in special engagements. Long recognized for vocal virtuosity and innovative programming, the ensemble enjoys a reputation as a leader in the choral field.

With more than 325 concerts to its credit, Chicago a cappella has produced more than 200 performances on its Chicago-based series. On tour, the group has appeared in 13 American states and in Mexico. The ensemble has been heard frequently on WFMT radio and through broadcasts distributed by American Public Media, including the highly-regarded Performance Today.

The ensemble has produced eight CD recordings of music ranging from Renaissance masses to contemporary works.

From its inception, Chicago a cappella has been a champion of living composers.

Since 1993 the group has presented more than 100 works in their world, national, or local premiere. Chicago a cappella has commissioned new music from leading contemporary composers, including Paul Crabtree, Joseph Jennings, Chen Yi, Stacy Garrop, Rollo Dilworth, Tania Le贸n, and Ezequiel Vi帽ao.

As part of its work to give back to the community, Chicago a cappella has recently expanded its educational community engagement. Current programs include an annual Youth Choral Festival, where small ensembles spend a day working directly with our singers and directors, and a High School Internship Program, a unique multifaceted immersion in the world of both performance and arts administration.

2936 N. Southport Ave., 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60657 Phone: (773) 281-7820 | Fax: (773) 435-6453 www.chicagoacappella.org | info@chicagoacappella.org Founder and Artistic Director..................................................................................................Jonathan Miller Executive Director.............................................................................................................. Matthew Greenberg Box Office & Concert Manager........................................................................................................ Deb Hoban Marketing & Operations Coordinator................................................................................Shaina Farwell Education Outreach Coordinator.............................................................................................Susan Schober Interns..................................................................................................... Alexandra Kunath, Gretchen Waltz Renee Baker Gary Belkin Claudia Divis William K. Flowers Helen C. Gagel Joyce Grenis (President) Howard Hush 2

Chicago a cappella

Board of Directors Murray Kopelow (Vice-President) Robert B. Linn David Perlman (Secretary) Stephen Shaw (Treasurer) Maria T. Suarez Barbara Volin

C H I C AG O A C APPE LL A C D S Available in the lobby: $16 each (includes sales tax)

Days of Awe and Rejoicing: Radiant Gems of Jewish Music

Christmas a cappella A celebration of the holiday season with Christmas songs from around the world

Shall I Compare Thee?

Contemporary settings of Shakespeare’s timeless words

Eclectric New works, familiar favorites, pop & jazz. “An overflowing cornucopia of choral delights” (ChicagoTribune)

Holidays a cappella Live Live performances of Christmas spirituals, Chanukah songs and holiday music from around the world

Go Down, Moses A stunning collection of spirituals

Mathurin Forestier: Masses World-premiere recording of breathtaking Renaissance church music

Palestrina: Music for the Christmas Season Brilliant Renaissance polyphony by the Italian master Palestrina Holidays a cappella

3

L O C AT I O N I N F O R M AT I O N Smoking is prohibited in all venues. Food and beverage are not permitted in the audience seating area. No photography or recording of any kind is permitted.

Fourth Presbyterian Church Michigan Avenue at Delaware, Chicago Restrooms and drinking fountain: Found on both floors Of Gratz Center. Second floor restrooms are just North of chapel.

St. Michael Catholic Church 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton Restrooms and drinking fountain: Left side of church near exit.

St. Clement Church 642 W. Deming Pl., Chicago Restrooms and drinking fountain: On lower level; take stairs from lobby.

Ask staff for handicapped restroom location.

Pilgrim Congregational Church 460 Lake Street, Oak Park Restrooms: Off the lobby, in the southeast corner of the building.

Accessible restroom in south hallway near the chapel. Additional restrooms on the lower level.

Nichols Concert Hall Music Institute of Chicago 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston Restrooms and drinking fountain: On lower level; take stairs or elevator from lobby.

Special Pre-Release Sale!

Bound for Glory!

New Settings of African-American Spirituals Our debut on the Gothic Records label presents new settings of powerful melodies by a host of brilliant and innovative composers. This moving and joyous collection of spirituals includes commissioned works by Rollo Dilworth, Joseph Jennings, and our own Jonathan Miller, in addition to arrangements by Paul Crabtree, Robert Harris, Gwyneth Walker, Paul Carey, and many others. Ten works receive their world premiere recordings on this exciting new release.

Available in the lobby for $16 or online at chicagoacappella.org 4

Chicago a cappella

PROGR A M Gaudete....................................................................................................... 16th c. Swedish, arr. Brian Kay Über’s Gebirg Maria geht................................................. Johannes Eccard (Germany, 1553-1611) Star in the East.............................................................................. Early American, arr. Jonathan Miller Sherburne...............................................................................Daniel Read (New England, 1757-1836) In the Bleak Midwinter................................................. Christopher Hutchings (Scotland, b. 1979) We Three Kings................................................................................. J.H. Hopkins, arr. Darmon Meader Niño de Rosas........................................................................................... Steven Sametz (USA, b. 1954) Behold That Star..........................................................................................................spiritual, arr. R. Isaac Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow.................................................................spiritual, arr. Roland Carter INTERMISSION Lo V’Chayil (Not By Might)...............................................................................Elliot Z. Levine (b. 1948) Hodie Christus natus est ..........................................................William Mathias (Wales, 1934-1992) O magnum mysterium..............................................................Ivo Antognini (Switzerland, b. 1963) Coventry Carol ............................................................................................ trad., arr. Linda Kachelmeier Splendid shines the morning star..............................James Lowry (early American, fl.ca. 1825), arr. Anne Heider Convidando está la noche....................................Juan García de Zéspedes (Mexico, 1619-1678) Miracle................................................................................ “Matisyahu” (Matthew Paul Miller, b. 1979) arr. Patrick Sinozich Poor Little Jesus............................................................................................... spiritual, arr. Anne Heider Sistah Mary.................................................................................................... spiritual, arr. Rollo Dilworth

Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the ushers. Unauthorized photography or sound recording of any kind are strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation.

Holidays a cappella

5

As we launch this joyous holiday season, please help Chicago a cappella enrich more lives with great music by supporting our educational and artistic work with a tax-deductible gift.

Ticket sales cover only a small portion of our costs. In fact, our single largest source of revenue is the generosity of individual donors, with more than 1/3 of our operating budget coming from friends like you.

Your support now is vital as we further expand our educational programming. This year, we’ll expand our Youth Choral Festival and take it to the University of Chicago’s spectacular Logan Center for the Arts. This Festival and our High School Internship program teach and inspire students from the entire Chicago area, mentoring the next generation of singers and music lovers. The deep impact of our new educational programs is already making a huge difference in the lives of young people.

We hope you will join the Chicago a cappella family of wonderful singers, students, directors, educators, music-lovers, and supporters. Please make a generous, tax-deductible donation today, and be a part of Chicago a cappella. Thank you.

Donate online at chicagoacappella.org, or use the form below to make your gift today.

Name: _____________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________ State: __________ ZIP: __________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________ (This is my

Home

Work

Cell )

Enclosed is a gift of $___________________ Payment information: Check (payable to “Chicago a cappella”)

Credit card (Visa/MC/Discover/AmEx)

Card number: _______________________________________Exp date:_________________ Signature:__________________________________________________________________ Chicago a cappella, 2936 N. Southport Ave., 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60657-4120 Phone (773) 281-7820 | Fax (773) 435-6453 Email: info@chicagoacappella.org | www.chicagoacappella.org 6

Chicago a cappella

F R O M T H E A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R December gives us an opportunity to be grateful. Traditions from many countries and faiths remind us of this. They tell us that our increasingly short and cold days need not completely dampen our spirits. Rather, we can build on the Thanksgiving holiday just behind us. We can affirm what is good all around us, even with joy. We can declare that, amidst so much human misery and tragedy, life is worth living and even worth celebrating. We can create hope that things will get better. Christmas and Chanukah alike are wonderful sources of inspiration; each is a reminder of the divine spark that lives in each of us, an occasion on which we give ourselves permission to simply stand in wonder and awe at creation. Light the lights and sing up!

For me, writing this introduction to Holidays a cappella has become a personal tradition on its own. I relish the occasion to take a deep breath and remember what blessings have surrounded me over the past year. At Chicago a cappella, we have much for which to be thankful: a wonderful roster of singers that includes longtime members and new ones alike; a growing and dedicated board of directors; a superb staff, chief among them the tireless Matt Greenberg; Susan Schober and the mighty High School Intern ensemble; subscribers and donors who keep us doing what we love to do; and everyone who supports us in some way, from the Saints who hand you this program book to those who sell our CDs in the lobby.

This year is also, for me, a time to give thanks for colleagues who have been in the choral field with me literally for decades, who have been my mentors and inspiration and guiding lights. It was thirty years ago this month that I gave my first performance with John Nygro and the Harwood Early Music Ensemble, a group that would become my most significant musical “home” for ten years. And it was almost thirty-two years ago that I joined the amazing professional choir of sixteen singers at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, where—right there in the alto section—was Anne Heider. She and I were soon to be part of the intrepid group of nine singers that formed the starting roster for His Majestie’s Clerkes (now Bella Voce), which Anne directed with distinction for many years.

In 1993, of course, several of the singers from those groups helped to form the initial core of Chicago a cappella.

Working under Anne Heider’s direction has given me some of my most treasured moments as a singer. Anne is a superb all-around musician, and I am delighted to have had her as a colleague once again in her role as Guest Music Director for this program. It was fun to create the final selection of songs together with her—and a joy to step back and let her create the final program order and decide exactly how all the pieces will work.

Since I did not attend any of the rehearsals (by design, as I prefer to let the Guest Music Directors work their magic without me in the room), I am as eager as you to hear this concert.

I give thanks for everyone who comes to hear us at the holidays. It is you who create Chicago a cappella’s holiday tradition by choosing to be here. Without you, there is no tradition.

Let us all use the inspiration that we get from today’s concert to go out and do something to heal the world. Whatever it is for you, I invite you to just do it. If we all do this, then indeed will we be worthy stewards of that same inspiration, and together we will come one step closer to building the world we all dream of. Have a blessed and joyous holiday season.

—Jonathan Miller Founder and Artistic Director Holidays a cappella

7

F R O M T H E G U E S T M U S I C D I R E C TO R Jonathan Miller and I were choral colleagues in the early 1980’s at Holy Name Cathedral. We were also founding singers of His Majestie’s Clerkes, now Bella Voce, the a cappella ensemble started by countertenor Richard Childress, who also sang at Holy Name. In fact, Jonathan was a founding board member, demonstrating early on his understanding that a good performing ensemble needs good administrative back-up.

Some ten years later he started his own group, Chicago a cappella. I invited them to be a guest ensemble on His Majestie’s Clerkes’ concert programs in 1994 and again in 1996, and both collaborations were artistically very exciting. Both ensembles have thrived and grown into Chicago-area institutions treasured by their audiences and supporters. Thus it’s an honor and a pleasure to me that in Bella Voce’s 30th season I’ve been invited to serve as one of Chicago a cappella’s guest music directors in their 20th season. Round numbers are always a good reason for a party.

Jonathan selected most of the repertoire for “Holidays a cappella,” but, happily, he was pleased to include a work of mine (Splendid Shines the Morning Star). It would be hard to exaggerate the pleasure of hearing these singers perform one’s work! They are alert, accomplished vocal artists; they’re open to repertoire of all sorts; they love getting the details right; and they nourish one another with their energy and zest for performing.

“The holidays” are a multi-faceted gem in our cultural calendars: religious, social and commercial traditions have become inextricably tangled. But I believe the unique sparkle comes from the fact that it’s a time of year when people sing together—even people who say “I can’t sing”—and singing, especially with others, makes you healthier and happier. So enjoy the program! We hope you’ll leave humming.

—Anne Heider Guest music Director

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC 16th c. Swedish, arr. Brian Kay: Gaudete The Renaissance song collection Piae Cantiones (Holy Songs) contains this wonderfully energetic four-part song. It hit the British pop charts in the 1970s when the folk-rock group Steeleye Span released it on their album Below the Salt. Maddy Prior’s infectious vocals, with a rougher version of Emma Kirkby’s famous vibrato-less sound, made a new generation of early-music fans. This setting by former King’s Singer Brian Kay enhances the original texture and has become a staple of the current generation’s repertoire.

8

Gaudete! Gaudete!

Christus est natus ex Maria virgine.

Gaudete!

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Christ is born of the Virgin Mary.

Rejoice!

Tempus adest gratiae, hoc quod optabamus; carmina laetitiae devote reddamus.

At this time of grace and longed-for blessing; Love faithfully offers a song of praise.

Deus homo factus est, natura mirante;

God is made human in this wonderful birth:

Chicago a cappella

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante.

The world is cleansed through the rule of Christ.

Ezechiellis porta clausa per transitur; unde lux est orta, salus invenitur.

The gate of heaven now opens which to us was closed; Sending forth transforming light through which holiness is found.

Ergo nostra contio psallat jam in lustro; Therefore we meet in pure songs of joy; Benedicat Domino; salus regi nostro. We bless the Lord, King of our Salvation.

—Piae Cantiones, 1582, Anon.

—trans. CPDL

For the record: Brian Kay’s “Gaudete” appears on our CD Holidays a cappella Live.

Johannes Eccard: Über’s Gebirg Maria geht Johannes Eccard grew up in Thuringia, studied with the internationally renowned composer Orlando Lassus, and eventually became Kapellmeister at Königsberg. This lovely song of praise achieved a lasting place in the choral repertoire thanks to Clara Schumann, who hand-copied it (there was no other way!) from an early source and gave it to Johannes Brahms. Brahms was a keen student of the contrapuntal techniques of earlier masters, and programmed works by Eccard, Byrd, Palestrina, Gabrieli, J.S. Bach and others in concerts he conducted with the Hamburg Frauenchor and the Vienna Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. Übers Gebirg Maria geht zu ihrer Bas Elisabeth.

Sie grüßt die Freundin, die vom Geist freudig bewegt Maria preist und sie des Herren Mutter nennt; Maria ward fröhlich und sang:

Maria walks across the mountains to her cousin Elizabeth.

She greets the friend who, joyfully moved by the Spirit, praises her and calls her Mother of the Lord; Maria became full of joy and sang:

Mein Seel den Herrn erhebet, mein Geist sich Gottes freuet; Er ist mein Heiland, fürchtet ihn, Er will allzeit barmherzig sein.

My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God; He is my Savior, to be feared, He shall always be merciful.

Was bleiben immer wir daheim?

Laßt uns auch aufs Gebirge gehn, da eins dem andern spreche zu, des Geistes Gruß das Herz auftu, davon es freudig werd und spring, der Mund in wahrem Glauben sing.

Why ever are we staying home?

Let us, too, go to the mountains, Where we encourage each other, and the Spirit’s greetings open the heart, to grow joyful and excited, and the mouth sings in true faith.

—Trad. German motet

—Trans. by H. S. Poelchau

Holidays a cappella

9

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

Early American, arr. Jonathan Miller (and original Southern Harmony version): Star in the East You’ll hear two versions of the anonymous “Star in the East” in our performance: as it appeared in The American Vocalist (1869) (stanzas 1 and 3) with mid-Victorian, conventional minor-mode harmonies, and (stanza 2) as it appeared in The Southern Harmony (1835). The earlier version has much starker harmonies—lots of open fifths— and sharp ears will catch the Appalachian performance practice of occasionally raising the 6th degree of the scale, converting minor to Dorian mode.

Hail! thou blest morn, when the Great Meditator Down from the regions of glory descends; Shepherds, go worship the Babe in the manger, Lo! for his guard angels attend.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid; Star in the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining, Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore him in slumbers reclining, Wise men and shepherds before him do fall.

Say, shall we yield him in costly devotion, Odors of Edom, and offerings divine, Gems from the mountain, and pearls from the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?

—Reginald Heber, The Southern Harmony (1835)

Daniel Read: Sherburne Daniel Read’s “Sherburne” exemplifies the fuging tune of colonial New England, written for singing schools and volunteer church choirs. The brief fugue section gives each of the four parts a moment to shine, but the contrapuntal demands on the singers are not excessive. The rhythmic energy of fuging tunes was complemented by a sturdy, nofrills choral style inherited from the 18th-century west-gallery music of English parish churches and kept alive right to the present by American shape-note singers.

While shepherds watch their flocks by night.

All seated on the ground; The angel of the Lord came down and glory shown around.

“Fear not,” said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind, “Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind.”

10

Chicago a cappella

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

Thus spake the seraph and forthwith Appear’d a shining throng.

Of angels praising God and thus address’d their joyful song.

All glory be to God on high And to the earth be peace.

Good will henceforth from heav’n to men, begin and never cease.

—Nahum Tate (1652-1715)

Christopher Hutchings: In the Bleak Midwinter A young composer from Scotland, Chris Hutchings has received awards and commissions from choirs and agencies in the UK, and his Requiem will be released on CD shortly. This setting of the famous Christina Rossetti poem is perfectly understated, causing us to pause and wonder at the blessings of the touchingly described scene.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.

In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; But only His mother, in her maiden bliss, Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day, A breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom angels fall down before, The ox and ass and camel which adore.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

—Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

J.H. Hopkins, arr. Darmon Meader: We Three Kings This is just one of the coolest recent carol settings ever. Darmon Meader is one of the creative forces behind New York Voices. He brings this setting a number of twists and turns, from subtle rhythmic shifts to a lively opportunity for vocal percussion. Africaninspired background syllables at the end hearken to a Lion King feeling.

Holidays a cappella

11

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of light, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising, voices raising, Worshipping God on high.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise; King and God and sacrifice; Alleluia, Alleluia, Sounds through the earth and skies.

—J.H. Hopkins

Steven Sametz: Niño de Rosas (from “Three Mystical Choruses”) Composer Steven Sametz chose an unusual cycle of sacred poetry for his choral triptych, for which he was awarded the 2011 Brock Commission from the American Choral Directors Association. This first movement is a setting of a poem by the Ecuadorian Jesuit priest, Jacinto de Evia (b. c. 1629). The poem is a dramatic scena of sorts, in which a gypsy girl examines the hands of the infant Jesus and, in so doing, both tells of his future and finds her own savior. The mezzo-soprano soloist, taking the role of the gypsy girl, is given a glorious, lyrical line, over which the accompanying voices create a gentle, undulating refrain that gives both structure and tension to the movement. It is a composition of unusual beauty and grace.

12

Dame una limosnita, Niño bandito,

Give me alms, blessed child,

Se me das la mano, Infante divino, la buenaventura verás que te digo.

If you would give me your hand, Divine Infant, the fortune you’ll see that I’ll tell you.

Chicago a cappella

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

Niño de rosas, dale a la gitanita paga de glorias.

Child of roses, give this little gypsy girl glory as payment.

Miro aquí la raya, que muestra que aúnque niño, vertebras tu sangre, baño a mis delitos.

I read here on your palm the line that says: “Though you are only a child, you will shed your blood to cleanse my sins.”

Serás de tres reyes rey reconocido, y a este mismo tiempo de un rey perseguido.

By three kings you shall be venerated as a king, and at the same time by a king you shall be persecuted.

Miro esotra raya, ¡oh con qué prodigios!

A los treinta y tres, dejarás la vida, de amores rendido.

Dame una limosnita, dale a la gitanita paga de glorias.

I see in another line, Oh, what wonders!

At the age of thirty-three, you will give up your life, exhausted by love.

Give me alms, give this little gypsy girl glory as payment.

Mi niño de rosas!

My child of roses!

— Jacinto de Evia (b.c. 1629)

— trans. Steven Sametz. ©2011 by E.C. Schirmer Music Company, a division of ECS Publishing, www.ecspub.com. Reprinted by permission.

spiritual, arr. R. Isaac: Behold That Star This spiritual uses classic voicings and texture, with a slightly “walking” bass line, to provide joyful energy. The song was a staple of the Chicago Children’s Choir’s holiday repertoire in the 1970s and can be heard on that group’s iconic (vinyl) recording of the same name.

Behold that star, Behold that star up yonder, Behold that star, It is the star of Bethlehem.

There was no room found in the inn For Him who was born free from sin.

The wise men traveled from the east, To worship Him, the Prince of peace.

A song broke forth upon the night, From angel host all robed in white.

—trad. Spiritual

Holidays a cappella

13

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

spiritual, arr. Roland Carter: Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow Roland Carter is Holmberg Professor of American Music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. A former president of the National Association of Negro Musicians, he is the arranger of the most commonly-heard version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Prof.

Carter has been honored to participate musically in every possible setting, from working in the smallest church to conducting at presidential inaugurations in Washington. An outstanding musician, he has conducted opera as well as choral music nationwide and has been involved in radio and television broadcasts in his role as a preservationist of African-American music.

This setting of “Rise Up, Shepherd” follows mostly traditional voicings and harmonies. The piece is effective in its straightforward simplicity. The final chorus takes off in an energetic ascent, speeding up as it sets up a call-and-response dialogue between men and women before rising to the highest soprano heights for a strong finish.

There’s a star in the East on Christmas morn, Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

It will lead to the place where the Christ was born, Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

Follow, follow, rise up, shepherd, and follow.

Follow the Star of Bethlehem, Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

If you take good heed to the angel’s words, Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

You’ll forget your flocks, you’ll forget your herds, Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

—trad. Spiritual

INTERMISSION Suggestions for intermission • Fill out your audience survey and return it to an usher or to the lobby to be entered in tonight’s prize drawing for a free copy of our brand new CD release, Bound for Glory! Visit our CD table for more information on our 9 CD recordings – all perfect gifts for the holiday season!

• Visit us in the lobby for more information about our group discount prices!

Group seating for our February program is already filling up fast. Reserve a spot for your group today!

14

Chicago a cappella

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

Elliot Z. Levine: Lo V’Chayil (Not By Might) Longtime member of the Western Wind vocal ensemble, Elliot Levine is an expert in music of many genres. He is as comfortable in medieval/Renaissance and contemporary music as he is in Jewish music. This song is a setting of a famous Hebrew saying. In contrast to the English-language setting by Debbie Friedman—familiar to generations of camp-attending American Jews—Levine’s setting is a slow triple-time meditation on the idea that “by spirit alone shall all people live in peace.”

Lo V’chayil v’lo v’choach ki im b’ruchi amar Adonai tz’vaot.

—Zechariah 4:6

Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the LORD of hosts..

William Mathias: Hodie Christus natus est William Mathias was a Welsh/English church musician who was also a professor at the University of Wales in Bangor. His anthem Let the people praise thee, O God was featured in the 1981 royal wedding between the Prince and Princess of Wales. His setting of the antiphon for Christmas, Hodie Christus natus est, was a highlight of Chicago a cappella’s very first holiday concert in 1994. The harmonies and rhythms have qualities of a bright brass fanfare, and the unusual shifts in color bring a refreshing brightness over and over, ending with a splash.

Hodie Christus natus est: This day Christ was born; Hodie Salvator apparuit: this day the Saviour appeared; Hodie in terra canunt Angeli, this day the Angels sing on earth, laetantur Archangeli and the Archangels rejoice: Hodie exsultant justi, dicentes: this day the just exult, saying: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the highest, Alleluia. Alleluia.

—trad. Latin, Anon.

—trans. by Allen H. Simon (CPDL)

Ivo Antognini: O magnum mysterium In recent years, the Swiss composer Ivo Antognini has gathered a significant following.

He seems to have been surprised by the success of this modest composition, which he wrote for a choir that his wife was conducting. The piece is one of those gems that feels unusually complete and self-evident.

O magnum mysterium O great mystery et admirabile sacramentum, and wonderful sacrament, ut animalia viderent that animals should see the Dominum natum new-born Lord jacentem in praesepio. lying in a manger!

O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt O blessed is the Virgin, whose womb portare Dominum Jesum Christum. was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.

—Matins for Christmas Day, trad.

—trans. CPDL

Holidays a cappella

15

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

arr. Linda Kachelmeier: Coventry Carol This is one of the most powerful, haunting settings of the familiar Coventry Carol to emerge in a long time. A longtime singer with the Rose Ensemble, the Twin Cities-based Linda Kachelmeier divides her time between singing and composing. As a singer, she is compelling on stage. Like the great singers of the Renaissance, she takes her love of great vocal lines and her instinctive feeling for what makes superb counterpoint and puts them into her own compositions.

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child, Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Lullay, thou little tiny Child, Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do, For to preserve this day This poor youngling for whom we do sing Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Herod, the king, in his raging, Charged he hath this day His men of might, in his own sight, All young children to slay.

That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!

And ever mourn and sigh, For thy parting neither say nor sing, Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

—trad. 16th century

James Lowry, arr. Anne Heider: Splendid shines the morning star “Splendid Shines the Morning Star” was commissioned from Anne Heider and premiered

by Nancy Menk and the South Bend Chamber Singers in 2006. It is based on a tune by James C. Lowry (fl. 1825), found in The Supplement to the Kentucky Harmony (3rd ed., 1826). The anonymous poetry translates the Lutheran chorale Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern by Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608) and follows the metric scheme of the German verses exactly. Lowry’s music, however, is quite different from Nicolai’s: instead of the four-square walking rhythm typical of early chorale melodies, Lowry’s music dances in six-eight time. Heider’s arrangement opens with Lowry’s tune sung in unison, and the

PrinƟng - Mailing - Fulllment CriƟcal Mail Processing - HIPAA Compliant 847.228.0333 www.pressamerica.com 16

Chicago a cappella

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

imitative polyphony that follows partakes of Lowry’s harmonic idiom, with more attention to the melodic integrity of each vocal line than to conventional harmonies. In the second half of the piece, phrases of Nicolai’s chorale float in, and ultimately a synthesis of the two songs emerges.

How splendid shines the morning star, God’s gracious light from darkness far, The root of Jesse blessed.

Thou David’s son of Jacob’s stem, My bridegroom, king, and wondrous Lamb, Thou hast my heart possessed.

Sweetly, friendly, O thou handsome, precious ransom, Full of graces, set and kept in heavenly places.

—Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608) trans. by Anon. (c. 1820)

Juan García de Zéspedes: Convidando está la noche How can you have more fun than this? The energy of the Mexican Baroque era pours forth in this joyous setting of folk-like texts. The lyrics talk about all the varieties of glory that rain down upon the holy child, using a Renaissance-like contrast of “fire and snow” that is familiar from many Monteverdi madrigals. The composer uses dance rhythms (guaracha and estribillo) in a strophic setting that builds as it goes, culminating in the wonderful sentiment that “Thanks be to God; we’re going to shut up now.”

Convidando está la noche aquí de músicas varias!

Al recién nacido infant canten tiernas alabanzas. ¡Ay, que me abraso, ay! divino dueño, ay! en la hermosura, ay! de tus ojuelos, ¡ay! ¡Ay, cómo llueven, ay! ciento luceros, ay! rayos de gloria, ay! rayos de fuego, ¡ay! ¡Ay, que la gloria, ay! del portaliño, ay! ya viste rayos, ay! si arroja hielos, ¡ay! ¡Ay, que su madre, ay! como en su espero, ay! mira en su lucencia, ay! sus crecimientos, ¡ay!

Alegres cuando festivas unas hermosas zagales Con novedad entonaron juguetes por la guaracha. ¡En la guaracha, ay! le festinemos, ay! mientras el niño, ay! se rinde al sueño, ¡ay! ¡Toquen y bailen, ay!

Inviting is the night with many instruments here to the newborn infant, they sing tender praise.

Oh, I am embraced, oh! divine Father, oh! in the beauty, oh! of your eyes, oh!

Oh, how they rain down, oh! a hundred constellations, oh!

Rays of glory, oh! Rays of fire, oh!

Oh, the glory, oh! of the manger, oh!

You already saw rays, oh! If they throw ice, oh!

Oh, may his mother, oh! like in her mirror, oh! sees in His lucency, oh! their growth, oh!

Happy when celebrating, some lovely young shepherdesses sang authentically verses for the guaracha.

In the guaracha song, oh, we celebrate Him, oh!

While the child, oh!

Yields to sleep, oh!

They play and they dance, oh!

Holidays a cappella

17

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

porque tenemos, ay! fuego en la nieve, ay! nieve en el fuego, ¡ay! ¡Pero el chicote, ay! a un mismo tiempo, ay! llora y se ríe, ay! qué dos extremos, ¡ay! ¡Paz a los hombres, ay! dan de los cielos, ay! a Dios las gracias, ay! porque callemos, ¡ay!

—trad. Mexican villancico

because we have, oh! fire in the snow, oh! snow in the fire, oh!

But the strong boy, oh! all at once, oh! cries and laughs, oh! what two extremes, oh!

Peace to mankind, Oh! is given from heaven! thanks be to God, oh! because we shut up, oh!

—trans. Mary Kate Colbert, Instituto Cervantes

Matisyahu, arr. Patrick Sinozich: Miracle “Matisyahu” is the stage name for Matthew Paul Miller, who, despite his recent shift away from orthodoxy, remains the world’s leading Jewish reggae artist. This song joyously celebrates the miracle of Chanukah as well as the more common miracle of faith: “Bound to stumble and fall / but my strength comes not from man at all.” This setting was created for Chicago a cappella by Music Director Emeritus Patrick Sinozich.

Just livin’ in the miracle, candles are my vehicle Eight nights, gonna shine invincible No longer be divisible, born through the struggle Keep on moving through all this hustle Head up, heads down through all of the bustle New York City wanna flex your muscle Look so down, look so puzzled Huddle ‘round your fire through all the rubble Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all Do you believe in miracles Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?

Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle Against all odds drive on till tomorrow Wipe away your tears and your sorrow Sunrise in the sky like an arrow No need to worry, no need to cry Light up your mind no longer be blind Him who searches will find Leave your problems behind you will shine like a fire in the sky what’s the reason we’re alive – the reason we’re alive…

Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all

18

Chicago a cappella

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

Do you believe in miracles Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?

Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle Eight is the number of infinity one more than what you know how to be And this is the light of festivity when your broken heart yearns to be free Do you believe in miracles Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?

Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle.

—Matisyahu, reprinted by permission

spiritual, arr. Anne Heider: Poor Little Jesus Anne Heider’s arrangement of “Poor little Jesus” (written for His Majestie’s Clerkes in 1989) is based on a song collected in the 1930’s by John and Alan Lomax from the singing of a Texas chain gang. Not church, but hard labor, was the original context. Not surprisingly, the verses dwell on Jesus’s poverty and his destiny to be executed as a criminal.

It was poor little Jesus.

He was born on Christmas.

And laid in a manger.

Wasn’t that a pity and a shame?

It was poor little Jesus.

Was a child of Mary.

And he didn’t have no cradle.

Wasn’t that a pity and a shame?

Oh. they whipped him up the mountain.

And they hung him on the cross, Lord.

Yes, they hung him with a robber.

Wasn’t that a pity and a shame?

Well, it’s poor little Jesus. Yes, yes!

Now He’s risen from the darkness.

And he ‘scended into glory. Yes, yes!

Wasn’t that a pity and a shame?

—trad. Spiritual

For the record: Anne Heider’s “Poor Little Jesus” appears on our CD Christmas a cappella

Holidays a cappella

19

N OTE S O N TH E M U S IC

c o n t.

spiritual, arr. Rollo Dilworth: Sistah Mary An international star of the choral world, Rollo Dilworth is head of the music-education department at Temple University in Philadelphia and an expert in the history and arranging of spirituals and gospel music. He also will be one of the conductors for Chicago a cappella’s upcoming Youth Choral Festival, and will be Guest Music Director for “The Birth of Gospel” (April 2014). In his arrangements, Prof. Dilworth is careful to research all available variants of the spiritual that he wants to set. Once he has settled upon a version of the text and melody, the arranging process begins. He enjoys arranging tunes that are not the best-known ones, such as this wonderful piece, Sistah Mary, which he arranged for Chicago a cappella in celebration of the ensemble’s 15th anniversary.

Sistah Mary had-a but one Chile, born in Bethlehem.

And ev’ry-time the little Baby cried, she would rock Him in a weary land.

Three wise men to Jerusalem came.

They traveled very far.

They said, “Where is He, born King of the Jews, for we have seen His star.”

An angel came to Joseph and gave him this command.

“Arise ye, take your wife and your child, and flee to Egypt land.”

—trad. spiritual

For the record: Rollo Dilworth’s “Sistah Mary” appears on our new CD, Bound for Glory!

FREE THEATRE TICKETS… Just one of the many perks working for s Soasilteions

p lable avai

To apply or learn more, email your cover letter, resume, or questions to mthiele@footlights.com 20

Chicago a cappella

T H A N K YO U Chris Baer Robert Beatty, St. Vincent DePaul Parish Tom Bracy, Brian O’Malley, Merit School of Music Kristen Cerer Jeanmarie DeVale Enid Frandzel William Gordon Mike Gresk Bill Hoban Joan Hutchinson and Joycelin Fowler, Pilgrim Congregational Church Betsy Meisenheimer Paul Nicholson and Patrick Sinozich, St. Clement Church Ruth Oberg Christopher Orf, St. Michael Catholic Church Jim Parks Lary and Judy Pitts Fiona Queen and Jared Scott, Music Institute of Chicago John Sherer, Fourth Presbyterian Church Norbert Shimkus Carolyn Stoner, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Christyl Uhan, The Homestead Hotel Thanks also to The Saints, Volunteers for the Performing Arts, for providing our house staff. For information visit www.saintschicago.org or call 773-529-5510.

Holidays a cappella

21

C H I C AG O A C A P P E L L A A R T I S T R O S T E R 2 013 -14 Jonathan Miller....................................................................................................................Artistic Director Anne Heider.................................................................................... Music Director, Holidays a cappella Rollo Dilworth................................................................................. Music Director, The Birth of Gospel Megan Bell.......................................................................................................................soprano (Holidays) Micah Dingler...................................................................................................................... tenor (Holidays) Matt Greenberg.............................................................................................. bass (Best of CAC; Gospel) Elizabeth Grizzell.....................................................................................................mezzo (entire season) Garrett Johannsen....................................................................................................tenor (entire season) Kathryn Kamp.................................................................................. soprano (Best of CAC; Migrations) Alexia Kruger...................................................................................................soprano (Holidays; Gospel) Joe Labozetta.........................................................................bass (Best of CAC; Holidays; Migrations) Trevor Mitchell........................................................................tenor (Best of CAC; Migrations; Gospel) Cari Plachy.......................................................................................... soprano (Best of CAC; Migrations) Emily Price................................................................................... mezzo (Holidays; Migrations; Gospel) Margaret Quinnette......................................................................................soprano (Holidays; Gospel) Benjamin Rivera...........................................................................................................bass (entire season) Michael Roemer.....................................................................baritone (Holidays; Migrations; Gospel) Susan Schober............................................................................................................. mezzo (Best of CAC)

“Merit School of Music is one of my favorite places on Earth.

I’ve seen its work through visiting there, but also through many of their graduates. What it does is to not let talent escape, because it has the broadest net. At its most lofty level, to its most basic response to the needs of a community, it is such an incredible organization.”

—Yo-Yo Ma MErIt NAtIoNAL AdvISorY BoArd MEMBEr

visit www.meritmusic.org to find out how you can make a difference in the lives of Merit students.

Joy Faith Knapp Music Center 38 South Peoria Street Chicago, IL 60607

www.meritmusic.org 22

Chicago a cappella

BIOGR APHIES Jonathan Miller, Founder and Artistic Director Since founding Chicago a cappella in 1993, Jonathan Miller has guided the ensemble through more than 150 concerts, nine commercial CD releases, and thirty choral-music demo CDs. His international accolades include the 2008 Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America. His skills at presenting a wide spectrum of music are a combined product of his singer’s ear, scholar’s training, and composer’s temperament. He was fortunate to be exposed at an early age to a wide range of music by a remarkable group of mentors, including Christopher Moore, Lena McLin, Max Janowski, Joseph Brewer, Howard Mayer Brown, Richard Proulx, John Nygro, and Anne Heider. He was a founding member of His Majestie’s Clerkes (now Bella Voce) and for ten years was bass soloist with the Harwood Early Music Ensemble. Eager to learn research tools for repertoire, Jonathan pursued musicology, earning his doctorate at UNC-Chapel Hill while remaining an active performer. Since returning to the Chicago area, Jonathan has expanded his role as a conductor and composer. He has led the volunteer choir at Unity Temple and Heritage Chorale in Oak Park and has served several other choirs as clinician and coach. He has written more than seventy choral works in a variety of genres and languages; his music has been sung at venues including St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the Pentagon. He conducted his piece The Lincoln Memorial at the Lincoln Memorial on the 200th anniversary weekend of Lincoln’s birth.

Since 1998, Jonathan has taken a growing leadership role in Chicago-area Jewish music, leading the high-holiday choir and occasional Kabbalat Shabbat services at Congregation Rodfei Zedek in Hyde Park; he now serves there as high-holiday cantor. He is principal guest conductor of

Kol Zimrah, the Jewish Community Chorus of Metro Chicago, and holds as a great honor his role as publisher of the late Max Janowski’s catalogue. Jonathan enjoys the blessings of family and neighbors in the woods of Downers Grove.

Matt Greenberg, Executive Director A founding ensemble member of Chicago a cappella, Matt has served as the organization’s Executive Director since 1995.

Combining a career in arts management with that of a professional singer, he has been an active member of the Chicago arts community for over 25 years. Matt has led workshops for Chorus America’s national conference and for the Arts and Business Council of Chicago. He has sung with Chicago a cappella sing the group’s inception in 1993, and has performed in musical theater and with many of Chicago’s other leading choral ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Music of the Baroque, William Ferris Chorale, and the Grant Park Chorus Anne Heider, Music Director Anne Heider is an award-winning conductor, composer, arranger, and teacher.

She is Artistic Director Emerita of the Chicago-based professional chamber choir Bella Voce, of which she was a founding singer and which she led for over sixteen years to consistent critical acclaim. Under her leadership the ensemble made several significant commissions, including the Stabat Mater

by Frank Ferko. She served on the board of Chorus America from 1999 to 2008; she is active as a guest conductor and choral consultant. Choral octavos of editions and arrangements by Dr. Heider are published by GIA. Her research in early Holidays a cappella

23

BIOGR APHIES

c o n t.

vocal music has been supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Newberry Library, and Roosevelt University. She has recorded with Bella Voce (founded as His Majestie’s Clerkes) for Harmonia Mundi, Cedille Records, Centaur Records, and Narada. She is Associate Professor Emerita of Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University.

Anne Heider was the recipient of Chicago a cappella’s first Tribute Award in 2006.

Megan Bell, soprano Since completing apprenticeships with Central City Opera and Dayton Opera, soprano Megan Bell has performed with Chicago-area companies such as the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Grant Park Music Festival Chorus, Light Opera Works, Main Street Opera and Lakeside Singers. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and her Master of Music degree from Bowling Green State University. Ms. Bell is an award winner and member of The Musicians Club of Women. She loves to perform recitals, especially chamber music recitals with her father, Richard Bell, a cellist in Kansas City. She also sings weekly as the soloist for the First Church of Christian Scientists in Barrington. Ms. Bell teaches private voice and piano lessons

out of her home in Elgin, Illinois, where she lives with her husband Marc. Please visit mebell.musicteachershelper.com for more information.

Micah Dingler, tenor Micah Dingler is a tenor and voice teacher originally from Toccoa, Georgia. He received his B.A. in voice performance and M.A.T. in music education and choral conducting from Piedmont College in Demorest, GA. He then completed a Master of Music in voice and opera from Northwestern University. He currently sings with Chicago Symphony Chorus, Bella Voce, the Crossing, Grant Park Chorus, and teaches private voice lessons at Whitney Young Magnet High School here in Chicago, IL. Elizabeth Grizzell, mezzo Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Grizzell has performed with groups both in Chicago and abroad. She has appeared as soloist with the Tunbridge Wells Opera, the Marlow Choral Society, and the Wooburn Singers of England. As a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, she has recorded the

Keep track of Chicago a cappella with your favorite social media!

“Like” us on Facebook at Chicago a cappella

24

Chicago a cappella

Follow us on Twitter at chi_acappella

BIOGR APHIES

c o n t.

role of Apprentice with the late Sir Georg Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Wagner’s Die Meistersinger. Betsy is also a member of the Grant Park Chorus, and records regularly as a soloist for GIA Publications. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree with a vocal emphasis from DePaul University.This will be Betsy’s 13th season with Chicago a cappella. She has previously programmed the ensemble’s 2012 All About the Women concert and 2009 The Birds and the Bees concert. Of special note is her Betsy’s MusiKids program, a musical education experience designed for children ages 16 months to 9 years old.

Her studio in Naperville introduces more than 100 children each year to the fun and beauty of music. Find her on Facebook at “Betsy’s MusiKids”, or at www.grizzell.com.

Garrett Johannsen, tenor Garrett Johannsen is proud to be singing with Chicago a cappella! He grew up in Schiller Park, IL and graduated from The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Over the years, he has sung for the Lyric Opera Chorus, Chicago Symphony Chorus, Grant Park Chorus, William Ferris Chorale, and Bella Voce. Operatic roles include; Spalanzani / Les contes d’Hoffmann, Rev. Parris (Cover) / The Crucible, The Realtor / The Yellow Wallpaper, Nanki-Poo / The Mikado, The Lover / Amelia Goes to the Ball and Lucano / The Coronation of Poppea. He has appeared as soloist with the International Chamber Artists / Mozart’s Requiem, the Elmhurst Choral Union & Waukegan Symphony / Handel’s Messiah. Garrett has recently ventured into the wonderful art of cabaret performance with three shows last year alone. He has also been invited back to sing for his favorite sports team, The Chicago White Sox, four times.

Follow Garrett at garrettjohannsen.com.

Alexia Kruger, soprano Alexia Kruger enjoys performing a wide variety of music from the stage to the recital hall. A member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Grant Park Chorus, Alexia has also been a soloist with such groups as the Chicago Chamber Orchestra (J.S. Bach’s Cantata 51), Chicago Sinfonietta at the Shedd and at Joffrey, Mantra Blue Free Orchestra, the Valparaiso University Symphony Orchestra (R. Strauss Beim Schlafengehen and Im Abendrot), and the University of Illinois Percussion Ensemble (Stravinsky’s Les Noces). She loves art song as well and has given recitals at such venues as the Chicago Cultural Center, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and several locations with VOX 3. Past roles have included Susanna and Contessa dAlmaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), Giulietta (Les Contes dHoffmann), the title role in Suor Angelica, Lola (Gallantry), and Eve (Children of Eden).

She is very excited to sing with Chicago a cappella this season!

Joe Labozetta, bass Hailing from Northern California, Joe Labozetta moved to Chicago in 2003 to further his musical studies at DePaul University’s School of Music. After finishing a degree in Sound Recording Technology, he quickly immersed himself into a full-time career as a professional musician. Joe currently holds the position of Director of Music at St. Josaphat Church, where he is kept busy with choirs, pipe organs, handbells and composing hymnody. His local choral activities have included Chicago Symphony Chorus, Grant Park Chorus, Bella Voce, and the William Ferris Chorale.

Joe is also an award-winning baritone soloist, notably at the International Choral Kathaumixw in Powell River, B.C., Canada.

Additionally, as an accomplished keyboardist, Holidays a cappella

25

BIOGR APHIES

c o n t.

guitarist and bassist, Joe performs in venues other than churches and concert halls. In fact, Labozetta sightings have been reported in dive bars, hotel lounges and almost-butnot-yet foreclosed recording studios.

Emily Price, mezzo Mezzo-soprano Emily Price is a graduate of Northwestern University and enjoys performing in opera, choral and musical theater productions. In Chicago she sings with the Grant Park Chorus, Music of the Baroque and Lyric Opera.

Internationally, she has performed in over 35 countries as a soloist with the Voices of Baha International Choir in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Vienna Konzerthaus, and the National Theaters of Spain, Catalonia, and India. She has also performed with the Czech National Symphony, Budapest Symphony Orchestra, and the Warsaw Philharmonic. Favorite theater productions include the premiere of RESPECT! A Musical Journey of Women (Cuillo Center/CCPA) and Rona in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Drury Lane Watertower).

She can be heard on a number of recordings, including The Voices of Baha at Carnegie Hall, RESPECT! The Original Cast

Album, and a solo album to be released entitled Songs of the Nightingale with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Margaret Quinnette, soprano Margaret Quinnette received her Bachelor’s Degree in Voice Performance from the University of WisconsinMadison, and has enjoyed a wide variety of performing experiences. As a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Margaret has been a soloist for Verdi Te Deum, a cover soloist for Bach B Minor Mass, and recently had the honor of singing on the soundtrack for the highly acclaimed movie, Lincoln.

Additionally, Margaret has performed Mason Bates’ Sirens on the CSO MusicNOW series. Favorite solo appearances in oratorio include Handel (Messiah), Mozart (Requiem and Coronation Mass), Faure’ (Requiem), Haydn (Lord Nelson Mass), Vivaldi (Gloria), and Rutter (Gloria). Other performing highlights include The Voices of Liberty at EPCOT Center, Orlando Opera Company, the Florida Symphony, and current work with the Grant Park Symphony Chorus.When not performing, Margaret can be found teaching voice, and being grateful for a life filled with music!

GROUP DISCOUNTS Groups of 10 or more qualify for special discounts at all Chicago a cappella concerts. Your group will get one free ticket for the group leader. Best of all, your group will save 20% off regular ticket prices!

Regular Group: $24 each Senior Group (62+): $20 each Student Group (23 and under): $10 each Call (773) 281-7820 for more information about our group discounts and reserve a space for your group today!

26

Chicago a cappella

BIOGR APHIES

c o n t.

Benjamin Rivera, bass Benjamin Rivera is chorus director of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and artistic director of Cantate, a Chicagobased chamber choir performing music from all genres and periods. He is also Cantor (Music Director) at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Evanston.

He has prepared and conducted choruses at all levels in repertoire from gospel, pop, and folk to sacred polyphony, choral/ orchestral masterworks, and contemporary pieces. In his seventeenth season as a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, including ten seasons as bass section leader, Benjamin also sings professionally with the Grant Park Chorus and many other ensembles. He is a frequent soloist, most often in sacred and concert works. He has sung across the U.S., and can be heard on numerous recordings. He has been on the faculty of several universities, directing choirs and teaching voice, diction, music theory, and history. In addition, he has adjudicated many competitions (solo and ensemble), and he recently presented at the Iowa Choral Directors Association summer conference. Especially adept with languages, Benjamin frequently coaches German and Spanish, among several others. He holds degrees in voice and music theory from North Park University and Roosevelt University, respectively, and is writing his dissertation for the doctorate in choral conducting from Northwestern University.

Michael Roemer, baritone Michael Roemer, baritone, is new to the Chicagoland scene from Brodhead, WI and is excited to perform with Chicago a cappella. Michael has recently performed with Light Opera Works and is excited to make his debut with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s chorus in Parsifal. In addition, he will be playing Figaro in an adaptation of Barber of Seville with Opera for the Young and the Father in Hansel and Gretel with Chicago Opera Playhouse. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he has played leading roles in Don Giovanni, La Bohème, and The Consul and won the 2012 UW-Madison Concerto Competition and an encouragement award in the 2012 Wisconsin District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Apart from his time spent singing, Michael can be seen honing his skills on the organ and piano or as a home coffee roaster, or enjoying a bike ride along the lake.

Have you been receiving emails from us lately?

Visit us in the lobby to update our records with your current email address today.

Stay up to date with the latest from Chicago a cappella, including special promotions and behind-the-scenes exclusives!

Chicago a cappella will not share your phone or email with any third party.

Holidays a cappella

27

UPCOMING EVENTS MELODIC MIGRATIONS: GLOBAL JEWISH MUSIC

This new program shines a spotlight on emotionally powerful and beautiful Jewish a cappella music from around the world, including South Africa, Canada, Europe and elsewhere.

Evanston Saturday, Feb. 15, 8:00 pm Nichols Concert Hall

Naperville Saturday, Feb. 22, 8:00 pm Congregation Beth Shalom

Chicago Sunday, Feb. 16, 4:00 pm K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Congregation

River Forest Sunday, Feb. 23, 4:00 pm West Suburban Temple Har Zion

THE BIRTH OF GOSPEL

Chicago a cappella will take you on a journey from the pre-gospel Classical works sung in many African-American churches to hymns, spirituals, and finally the full flowering of gospel music itself, which began right here in Chicago.

Oak Park Friday, April 11, 8:00 pm Pilgrim Congregational Church

Naperville Sunday, April 13, 4:00 pm Wentz Concert Hall

Evanston Saturday, April 12, 8:00 pm Nichols Concert Hall

Chicago Saturday, April 19, 8:00 pm Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts

Swing! An a cappella evening featuring music of Basie & Ellington

Our gala benefit features the swinging tunes of Count Basie and Duke Ellington and celebrates our Tribute Award honoree, the Anima Young Singers of Greater Chicago, and our Friend of the Year, Bill Flowers.

Thursday, May 15, 2014, 7:00pm Salvage One 1840 W. Hubbard St., Chicago Tickets and information: chicagoacappella.org or (773) 281-7820 28

Chicago a cappella

DONORS We offer our deep gratitude to our contributors who made gifts and pledges to Chicago a cappella between July 1, 2012 and November 11, 2013. We regret that we are unable to list the many thoughtful contributors who made gifts under $50. If this list contains an error, please accept our apologies and kindly let us know so that we may correct it.

INSTITUTIONAL CONTRIBUTORS FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS Paul M. Angell Family Foundation Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s International Connections Fund Klaff Family Foundation The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation The Pauls Foundation Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS Illinois Arts Council Agency City of Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Oak Park Area Arts Council MEDIA SPONSORS 98.7 WFMT Chicago Jewish News Chicago Maroon JUF News Naperville Sun

CORPORATE SUPPORT, MATCHING GIFTS, AND OTHER SUPPORT AV Chicago Bank of America First Bank and Trust Evanston Homestead Hotel House Red Vinoteca Hyde Park Bank JP Morgan Chase Foundation North Shore Community Bank

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS UNDERWRITER ($10,000 or more) Special gift in memory of Florine M. Tippett, by her Daughter, Joyce Tippett Grenis Hyslop Shannon Foundation ARCHANGEL ($2,500 or more) Joyce Grenis and Michael Koen Ann Hicks and Lawrence Hamilton Howard and Jane Hush Margaret and Gary Kachadurian/Five K. Family Fund at The Chicago Community Trust Murray Kopelow and Cathy Bachman David and Carole Perlman Maria Suarez ANGEL ($1,000 or more) Marguerite Bloch Alex and Rosemary Cudzewicz Claudia and Timothy Divis Michelle and Brian Eppley Bill and Jeanetta Flowers

Frank G. and Gertrude Dunlop Fund Helen Gagel Jay and Jackie Lauderdale Leslie Lauderdale Bob and Fleury Linn Dietra and Tony Millard Mary Miller Alice and David Osberg Steve and Priscilla Shaw Bette Sikes and Joan Pederson BENEFACTOR ($500 or more) Gary Belkin & Ed Tuder Bonnie Benson Ann and Roger Cole Jim and Ellen Dalton Marina Gilman Matt Greenberg and Chris Baer Don and Joanna Gwinn Hank and Becky Hartman Terri Hemmert Ann Hewitt Tom and Margaret Huyck Douglas and Christine Kelner Ronna Lerner in recognition of educational outreach programs

Edward Levin and Margot Anderson in Honor of Dan and Cari Levin Gaye Matravers John and Bozena McLees Nora Bergman Fund G. Scott Miller and Ron Mijewski Ken Novak Richard and Cindy Pardo Dale and Donna Prest Doris Roskin Carolyn Sacksteder Bejjamin H. and Marianne Schapiro John and Eileen Sterling Ann Stevens Frank Villella Joanne Whitmore SPONSOR ($250 or more) Irwin and Cheryl Brown Laura and Gary Cooper Friends and Members of First Unitarian Society John Anthony Gable Norm and Judy Greenberg Sanford Greenberg and Betsy Perdue Holidays a cappella

29

DONORS

c o n t.

Robert Harris Anne Heider and Steve Warner Nancy and Arthur Hirsch Jim and Lois Hobart Karen Hunt Charles Katzenmeyer in honor of Matt Greenberg Marina and Andrey Kuznetsov Sandi and Mike Miller L. Denise Moritz Vreni Naess Drs. Donald and Mary Ellen Newsom Ann F. Raney Alan Richmond Susan & Jason Schober Jennifer and Warren Schultz Lisa Scott Gordon and Evelyn Straw Kris Swanson Geri Sztuk Barbara Volin Gary and Beth Wainer Duain Wolfe Shawn Ying and Jason Cohen PATRONS ($100 or more) Anonymous Gloria and Manuel Abundis Gary and Susan Agrest Diane Altkorn Eula Lewis Anderson and Nathaniel Anderson Tom Andrews Wendy Anker and Edward Reed Peter Barrett Dian and David Barth Susan Beal Vivian Beckford Frank Brockway Martrice Caldwell Harvey and Arlene Coustan Thomas and Sally Coyle Ruth Crippen Theodore and Ann Doege Ron & Judy Eshleman Cantor Miriam Eskenasy Terry Yale Feiertag Norma Felbinger Howard and Judy Gilbert Claire and Tom Goulding Judith Grubner and Craig Jobson Margo Lynn Hablutzel Marsha K. Hahn and Patrick Moriarty Dick Hewitt Jean and Lester Hunt 30

Chicago a cappella

Joe Jania Michael and Kathleen Johnston John and Martha Jurecko Susan Kamp Tom and Linda Kamp Rae Kendrick John and Karen Kruger Ivan and Jasna Lappin Helen Lauderdale Lindy Lauderdale Susan and Joe Lunn Jay Lytle Jennifer Marling Cheryl and Tom McRoberts Glenn Meade Betsy Meisenheimer and Wes Westerfield David Miller and Mary Ellen McNish Robert and Lois Moeller Cathy and Paul Newport James and Kimberly Norman Larry and Judy Pitts John and Gail Polles Jane Ann Prest Ken and Kristine Rupert Benjamin H. and Marianne Schapiro Jim and Jenny Sherman Laura Smith Les & Bev Smulevitz Julius and Alice Solomon Jeni and David Spinney in honor of Bob Linn Peggy Sullivan Eileen Sutter Dave and Carolyn Utech Philip Vidal John Vorrasi Clark and Joan Wagner in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Roger Cole Brad and Lori Wainer Tracy and Tony Weisman Lance and Stephanie Wilkening Virginia Witucke Robert Wolff Dimis J. Wyman Joel and Frances Zemans FRIEND ($50 or more) Anonymous Carole Baumgart Alan and Jan Bergman Paris Braxton Carole Brown Jennifer Burrus Suzanne Carroll Ioanna and Robert Chaney

Duane and Yolanda Clark Lynn & Jim Denton Jim and Carol Fancher Richard Foster John and Anne Frame Jim Ginsburg and Patrice Michaels Paul and Cassie Hadfield Irene Hansen Roberta S. Heiman Kathleen Higgins Merle Hodel Ann Hoenig Charles Hoffman and Tamara Schiller Valerie Humowiecki Joan Hutchinson and Norm Clearfield Linda Kaplan Colleen Labozetta Stephen and Lisbeth Lerner Charles and Sandra Levi Carol LoVerde Kathy and Jack Mattox Karen Maurer Scott and Kelly McCleary Daniel Melamed Ron and Ginnie Miller Belverd and Marian Needles Sonia Ness and Peter Jenkins Allyn Rawling Monroe and Elaine Roth Jewel T. Sims Dennis and Patricia Smith Jerry Smith and Dottie Fugiel Tom and Linda Spring Marilyn Steenwyk Gene and Mindy Stein in honor of Joyce Grenis Terrill L Stumpf Juan and Olga Suarez Mary Sullivan Jim and Kathy Swager Bernard Szezol Nancy Ellen Tauchman Willard Thomen William Wallace John and Sally Weber Robert and Barbara Wichmann Cheryl Wollin

DONORS

c o n t.

SUSTAINING DONORS By joining our Sustaining Donor program, the following individuals support the work of Chicago a cappella while reducing our fundraising costs and saving resources. Sustaining donors choose the level and frequency of their automatic payment, and receive the benefits of annual tax deductions without the hassle of writing checks. For more information, pick up and envelope in the lobby, visit our website, or call (773) 281-7820.

A huge thank you to our Sustaining Donors: Susan Beal Frank Brockway Norma Felbinger Patrice Michaels and Jim Ginsburg Sanford Greenberg & Betsy Perdue Don and Joanna Gwinn

Ann Hewitt Jean & Lester Hunt Doug & Christine Kelner Rae Kendrick Vreni Naess Donald & Mary Ellen Newsom Ken Novak Alice & David Osberg

Carolyn Sacksteder Warren & Jennifer Schultz Tom & Linda Spring Ann Stevens David & Carolyn Utech Frank Villella Shirlene Ward & Kevin Kipp

I N - K I N D C O N T R I B U T I O N S ( S I N C E JA N UA R Y 1, 2 013 ) AV Chicago Adler Planetarium Arlington International Racecourse Bella Voce Broadway in Chicago Carissima Salon Chicago Architecture Foundation Chicago Botanic Garden Chicago Chamber Choir Chicago Dramatists Chicago History Museum Chicago Shakespeare Theater Chicago Symphony Orchestra City Lit Theater Company Comedysportz Theater Court Theater The Dance Center of Columbia College Dave’s Specialty Foods DePaul Merle Reskin Theatre Drury Lane Theatre East Bank Club Eclipse Theatre Company Edgewater Athletic Club Emerald City Theatre Ensemble Español Dance Company Facets/Facets Children’s Programs The Field Museum Fox Valley Repertory

French Pastry School Gene Siskel Film Center Gethsemane Garden Center Goodman Theatre Grand Victoria Casino Grant Park Music Festival Harris Theater for Music and Dance Terri Hemmert Homestead Hotel House Red Vinoteca Howl at the Moon Margaret & Gary Kachadurian Kingston Mines Lifeline Theatre Lulu’s Dim Sum and Then Some Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire Medieval Times Metropolis Performing Arts Center Michael Kors J&L Catering Jonathan Miller The Morton Arboretum Music Box Theatre Music of the Baroque Next Theater Nielsen-Massey Vanillas North Central College Northeastern IL Univ.

Northlight Theater Old Town School of Folk Music

Orchestre Metropolitain Orion Ensemble Porter Airlines PRP Wine International Redhead Piano Bar Remy Bumppo Theatre Company Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Shedd Aquarium Norbert Shimkus Designs Shiraleah Southwest Airlines Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark Steppenwolf Theatre Co. Maria Suarez Swedish American Museum Swedish Bakery Taco Diablo TimeLine Theatre Company University of Chicago Presents Valerie Lorimer Contemporary Arts Victory Gardens Theater WFMT Radio William Ferris Chorale The Wine Goddess Winestyles in downtown Evanston Cheryl Wollin Writers Theater WXRT Radio Zanies Comedy Nite Club

Holidays a cappella

31

32

Chicago a cappella