Chicago Artists Chorale
The art of choral music from a community of artists

Beautiful December

St. Vincent de Paul Church1010 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

7:30PM

We were excited to announce our first live concert offering after two full years away! Beautiful December featured an ensemble of 16 CAC singers, as well as several selections sung by our larger CAC community.

The program was conducted by Founding Artistic Director Tom Vendafreddo, and he was joined by Maria Honigschnabel (piano), Jill Kaeding (cello), and Emily Rohm (soprano).

The 75-minute concert was presented without an intermission at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The program featured an eclectic mix of choral music, ranging from standard choral classics to stunning contemporary works. The repertoire explored the many different facets of December: Joy, Light, Mystery, Peace, Beauty and Hope.  



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A Very Virtual Holiday Special

7:00PM

During an unprecedented time and holiday season, the Chicago Artists Chorale was thrilled to present "A Very Virtual Holiday Special."

This evening of choral music featured a large group of virtual singers performing a couple of our holiday favorites, as well as a sprinkling of smaller group numbers pre-recorded in CAC's beloved concert venue, Old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago's West Loop. People everywhere were invited to watch our choral family share beautiful music, love, and a message of peace.

This concert was presented for free and donations were accepted to ensure future music.






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Winter Sun

Old St. Patrick's Church700 West Adams, Chicago

7:30PM

The Chicago Artists Chorale presented Winter Sun, its fourth concert at Old Saint Patrick's Church in Chicago's beautiful West Loop. The program featured a stunning new choral work by Sarah Quartel entitled "Snow Angel" as well as Benjamin Britten's seminal choral classic, "A Ceremony of Carols." The chorale also presented several other pieces exploring the beauty and wonder of the Winter season, including famed choral composer Ola Gjeilo's "Days of Beauty" and a Dolly Parton song entitled "Light of a Clear Blue Morning."
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Jocelyn Shoulders (cello) and Greg Woods (djembe) joined the chorale for "Snow Angel." "A Ceremony of Carols" was accompanied by Ben Melsky on harp (who Chicago Magazine called "a phenomenal harpist"). As usual, the chorale was accompanied by Maria Honigshnabel on piano.

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Songs of the British Isles

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.

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5th Anniversary Concert Celebration

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. ‍

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Americana

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.





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In Terra Pax

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.

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in other words

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.



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Grant Us Peace

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.







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Songs of Love and Light

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.

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The Frost Variations

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.

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Athenaeum Theatre Productions presents
Playing Our Part: an evening with the Chicago Artists Chorale

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.

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The Inaugural Winter Concert

First United Methodist Church77 W Washington St, Chicago

7:30PM