Thirteen years ago, Christopher Bell was invited to guest-direct the Grant Park Music Festival Chorus. As Bell put it to Windy City Times, the festival organizers wanted to "try this guy out." After two years of guest conducting, Bell was offered his current position as Chorus Director. "Chicago is a unique city. We have two large choruses here," said Bell. This further enticed Bell to take the job as Chorus Director. Since then audiences have been entertained by Bell's trademark stage flamboyance.
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the son of Anglican clergyman, Bell was introduced to music at a young age. "I suppose there are three answers to the question 'When was your earliest or defining musical moment'.' My parents started me on the piano when I was 6 or 7. I then become more interested when studying music at University. But for me, the defining moment was after I had won a conducting contest in Vienna. I was then invited to guest conduct with the BBC Orchestra in Glasgow."
Bell's presence in Scotland is still very strong. He currently directs the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus and is the founder of the National Youth Choir in Scotland. "It has always been part of my plan to encourage young people to sing. In Chicago, there is considerable motivation among the youth of the City," said Bell. Bell works extensively with the Grant park Apprentice Chorale, which is composed of students from Chicago colleges, all handpicked by Bell.
Openly gay, Bell never stressed his sexuality but uses it as an example of what can be accomplished. "Being gay is part of who I am," he said. "I wanted to promote singing among young men. I also wanted to be seen as a leader and a motivator to let this young men know that being gay is not a barrier to do what it is you want to do. There is no need to hide." It was in part, this attitude of youth leadership and motivation that helped earn Bell the Michael Korn Founder's Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art.
The Korn Founder's Award, named after one of the founders of Chorus America, is an honorary citation established in 1978 to pay tribute to an individual with a lifetime of significant contributions to the professional choral art. "This is an award from my peers. Its significant to me and at the same time is awesome and humbling," said Bell. "But I hope this isn't some sort of omen or sign since it's a lifetime achievement award. I'm only 52 and I should hope I have many more years of music in me," joked Bell. The award ceremony takes place during the Chorus America's Annual Conference in Seattle, Wash., June 12-15. "I've never been to Seattle and I'm quite looking forward to it. I'll only be in the city for about twenty-four hours but I hope to see some of the sights and take a quiet moment for myself to take it all in."
"We're so proud of Christopher for this lifetime service award, and for his leadership here with the Grant Park Chorus and the college students he mentors in the Apprentice Chorale," said Paul Winberg, president of the Grant Park Orchestral Association. "He has advanced choral art by his commitment to training young singers in addition to the work he does with professional choruses."
"I feel that the Grant Park Chorus is unique and special and should be heard outside of Festival," said Bell. This summer, Bell and the Chorus will get to reach those new audiences with Songs of Praise and Passion a program of a cappella music at the South Shore Cultural Center on July 30 and the Columbus Park Refectory on August 1 at 7:00 p.m. Bell added that he believed the Chorus should also be heard outside of Chicago. "The Grant Park Chorus must be extremely versatile. That is crucial to the success of any member of the chorus. We could be performing Broadway one night and then a solemn mass a few nights later. That's not an easy transition."
Bell is very excited for the 2013 season. Aside from getting to take the Chorus to new audiences, the repertoire this season is as varied as in years past. "We begin with Alexander Nevsky by Prokofiev. We move into Benjamin Britten's masterwork of the 20th century, War Requiem. We have some fun with Rodgers and Hammerstein and the a cappella program and finally end with Schubert's Mass in E Flat."
The Grant Park Music Festival is a true Chicago asset. It is the nation's only free, summer-long outdoor classical music series. Now in its 79th season, running June 12-Aug. 17, the Grant Park Orchestral Association can add Bell and his prestigious award to the list of its fait accompli. Bell's presence as an openly gay choral director is a sign not only for the youth that he inspires but also for anyone who sees their sexuality as a barrier. For Bell, it isn't.