CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Chamber Choir ( CCC ), a 40-voice ensemble, celebrates its 23rd season with three entrancing programs: an engaging collage in October of choral works from the medieval to the modern; an exploration of the joy, mystery, and drama of the season in December with modern and classic choral music; and a rapturous performance of Rachmaninoff's glorious All Night Vigil in May. Additionally, this season includes a special fourth charitable concert series in March to benefit the Night Ministry, a North Side charity dedicated to helping those "who struggle with homelessness, poverty, and loneliness."
Artistic Director Christopher Windle is particularly excited about Season 23, his second full season as CCC's Director, and the opportunity to showcase his passion and talent for choral music through the skills of the Chicago Chamber Choir. "I've been thinking a lot about how art reflects the world and people around us. How can we influence change, how can we help people, how can we make the world a better place? How can we as a musical organization support our community and communicate our values to the world? … This in essence is what Season 23 is about; opening ourselves and engaging our world to have a positive impact on our communities and love our neighbors," said Windle.
TO TOUCH THE SKY ( October 13 and 14 ) opens the season with an exciting collage of choral works spanning centuries and styles. Anchored by To Touch the Sky, an extended work by 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts, this program also includes works by Josquin des Prez, Hildegard von Bingen, Eriks Esenvalds, Judith Weir, and Ysaye Barnwell.
FIRST SNOW ( December 8, 15, and 16 ) celebrates the joy, mystery, and drama of the holiday season with works including Bo Holten's First Snow and John Tavener's Mother and Child. Other composers include John Rutter, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gabriel Jackson, Edwin Fissinger, Arvo Part, and Hugo Distler.
TO THE HANDS ( March 15 and 16, 2019 ) features Ted Hearne's Privilege, Caroline Shaw's ( 2013 Pulitzer Prize winner ) To the Hands, and movements of Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri in a response, through choral music, to homelessness in our world and in Chicago. This concert will be presented free of charge, and the Chicago Chamber Choir will collect a free will offering to benefit the Night Ministry, a North Side charity.
ALL-NIGHT VIGIL ( May 4 and 5, 2019 ) concludes Season 23 with Sergei Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil. This exquisite a cappella work will be presented without intermission.
Tickets for the 2018-2019 season, including student and group rates, are available now at
ChicagoChamberChoir.org .
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
TO TOUCH THE SKY
Saturday, October 13, 7:30 pm
St. Ignatius Church | 6559 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60626 ( Rogers Park )
Sunday, October 14, 3:00 pm
St. Ita's Church | 5500 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640 ( Edgewater )
FIRST SNOW
Saturday, December 8, 7:30 pm
Winnetka Congregational Church | 725 Pine St, Winnetka, IL 60093 ( Winnetka )
Saturday, December 15, 7:30 pm
Edgebrook Community Church | 6736 N Loleta Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 ( Edgebrook )
Sunday, December 16, 3:00 pm
St. Ita's Church | 5500 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640 ( Edgewater )
TO THE HANDS
Friday, March 15, 8:00 pm
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church | 708 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 ( Lake View East )
Saturday, March 16, 3:00 pm
Saint Luke Church | 1500 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 ( Lake View West )
ALL-NIGHT VIGIL
Saturday, May 4, 7:30 pm
Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral | 1121 N Leavitt St, Chicago, IL 60622 ( Ukrainian Village )
Sunday, May 5, 3:00 pm
St. Ita's Church, 5500 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640 ( Edgewater )
Founded in 1996, the Chicago Chamber Choir is a skilled choral ensemble of 40 voices under the dynamic and enterprising leadership of Artistic Director Christopher Windle. The choir's repertoire is culturally diverse and international in scope, featuring a balance of sacred and secular works, including time-honored classics as well as contemporary selections. In addition to providing seasonal concerts and outreach programs, the Chicago Chamber Choir is available for hire to help celebrate weddings and other special events.
