Irish American Heritage Center4626 N. Knox Ave, Chicago
7:30PM
The Chicago Artists Chorale, under the artistic direction of Tom Vendafreddo, presented the second concert of its fifth season on Tuesday, May 28th at 7:30pm. The program, Songs of the British Isles, was an evening of beautiful English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh songs passed down through the oral tradition.
With arrangements made famous by The King's Singers and Chanticleer, as well as more contemporary settings of "Danny Boy" and "Star of the County Down," it was a memorable evening which also featured the Chicago Artists Ensemble conducted by Devin DeSantis and piano accompaniment by Maria Honigschnabel.
Old St. Patrick's Church700 West Adams, Chicago
7:30PM
The Chicago Artists Chorale, under the artistic direction of Tom Vendafreddo, presented the first concert of its 5th Anniversary Season on Monday, November 26 at 7:30 p.m. The program featured Gary Fry's setting of "O Holy Night" and an arrangement of "Silent Night" made famous by the Pentatonix; the Chorale will also presented a chilling new repertoire, including "Glow" by Eric Whitacre. We were pleased to welcome the Concert Choir from Walter Payton College Prep (under the direction of Kate Johnston) as a guest ensemble. They performed an exciting set of songs (including "Desh," an Indian Raga arranged by Ethan Sperry) and also collaborated with the Chicago Artists Chorale on a good portion of the program.
Old St. Patrick's Church700 West Adams, Chicago
7:30PM
The Chicago Artists Chorale, under the artistic direction of Tom Vendafreddo, presented the second concert of its fourth season on Tuesday, May 29th at 7:30pm. The program, Americana, featured John Corigliano's beautifully lush "Fern Hill" set to the poem by Dylan Thomas. The concert also included familiar tunes by Aaron Copland, Stephen Foster, and Billy Joel. We were pleased to have MOSAIC, a spiritual ensemble, with us for a guest performance.
Old St. Patrick's Church700 West Adams, Chicago
7:30PM
In Terra Pax featured Gerald Finzi's beautiful choral work of the same name, complete with chamber orchestra. Additionally, the Chicago Artists Chorale proudly partnered with Season of Carols and featured live performances from their fifth volume of holiday music to benefit Season of Concern.
If you've been to a Chicago Artists Chorale concert in the past, you've hopefully noticed a high level of artistry. As the Chorale is growing and developing, the ability to maintain this high calibre of music making comes with making exciting programming choices. This winter, Artistic Director Tom Vendafreddo programmed Gerald Finzi's beautiful choral work, "In Terra Pax" (Peace on Earth). Though the piece can be performed with piano accompaniment, there is a stunning chamber orchestration that made the work come alive in a very rich way.
Walter Payton College Prep1034 North Wells, Chicago
7:30PM
In an evening of music by contemporary composers including Greg Jasperse, Bobby McFerrin, Kerry Marsh, and Oscar Escalada, the Chicago Artists Chorale explored the powerful versatility of the human voice.
Covering a wide range of styles and genres, In Other Words was devoted to the idea that music communicates something even when language is absent. The sounds themselves will not inherently carry any meaning. It is up to you, the audience, to interpret and find meaning in the song—or to choose not to.
The Nettelhorst School3252 N Broadway Street, Chicago
7:30PM
Grant Us Peace featured "Carols and Lullabies," a beautiful set of ten Spanish songs composed by Conrad Susa and accompanied by harp, guitar, vibraphone, and marimba. The Chicago Artists Ensemble presented Randol Alan Bass' "Gloria" and was directed by Devin DeSantis.
St. Vincent de Paul Church1010 Webster Ave, Chicago 60614
7:30PM
Songs of Love and Light featured a diverse collection of choral music spanning from the late Romantic period through the 21st century. From the rich beautiful harmony of Brahms' "O schöne Nacht" to the stunning a cappella music of contemporary Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, the program explored both sacred and secular texts.
The Chicago Artists Ensemble performed a tender set of songs by famed modern composer Eric Whitacre. The Chorale also presented songs accompanied by the magnificent Lyon and Healy Pipe Organ at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. The program culminated with Charles Stanford's "Nunc dimittis," featuring Chicago's own Larry Adams as the bass soloist.
The Nettelhorst School3252 N Broadway, Chicago
7:30PM
The Frost Variations featured "Frostiana: Seven Country Songs," composed in 1959 by famed composer Randall Thompson. The piece richly musicalizes the poetry of Robert Frost and has become a celebrated set of choral songs. The Chicago Artists Ensemble honored Randall Thompson by singing his setting of Alleluia - another famed piece of choral music with rich harmonic intricacies that will stir your soul.
The second half of The Frost Variations featured the lighter side of the "frosty season," including many familiar holiday songs originally performed by Peter, Paul and Mary, The Real Group, Pentatonix, and more! Thanks to all who joined us in welcoming the holiday season with an eclectic program of all things FROST.
Athenaeum Theatre2936 N Southport Ave, Chicago
7:30PM
The first portion of this concert focused on composers from the British Isles. We presented songs by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and Irish composer Charles Stanford, while our Chicago Artists Ensemble sang a short set of works by English composer John Rutter. The second portion of our concert served as an exploration of the role of choral music in the vast canon of American musical theatre, highlighting the importance of ensemble singing through each decade from 1940 to 2015.
First United Methodist Church77 W Washington St, Chicago
7:30PM
Chicago Artists Chorale
720 W Gordon Terrace
Unit 17M
Chicago, IL 60613
Initial Design by Jarrod Zimmerman