chicagoacappella_holidaysacappella2015.pdf

1Holidays a cappella

Holidays a cappellaSunday November, 29, 2015, 4:00 pm

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago

Friday December 4, 2015, 7:30 pm Fourth Presbyterian Church

Michigan Avenue at Delaware, Chicago

Sunday December 6, 2015 3:30 pm St. Clement Church

642 W Deming Pl., Chicago

Sunday December 13, 2015, 4:00 pm Pilgrim Congregation Church

460 Lake St., Oak Park

Friday December 18, 2015, 8:00 pm Wentz Concert Hall

171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville

Saturday, December 19, 2015, 8:00 pm Nichols Concert Hall

1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston

Chicago a cappellaMegan Bell, Soprano

Alexia Kruger, SopranoCari Plachy, Soprano

Sarah Ponder, Mezzo-sopranoEmily Price, Mezzo-soprano

Ace Gangoso, TenorGarrett Johannsen, Tenor

Carl Frank, BassJoe Labozetta, Bass

Benjamin Rivera, Bass

Founder and Artistic DirectorJonathan Miller

Guest Music DirectorBenjamin Rivera

Chicago a cappella is partially supported by The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; the Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development;

the Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Villages of Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest; a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; and the Illinois Arts Council Agen-

cy, a state agency. Media Sponsors: The Daily Herald, WBEZ, The Chicago Maroon

The performance at Fourth Presbyterian Church is generously underwritten by Dee Dee Whipple.

2 Chicago a cappella

SHAKESPEARE A CAPPELLAThe words of William Shakespeare are illuminated through innovative and artful a cappella music as

we commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death. Actors from Chicago Shakespeare Theater join us on stage to enhance the drama, as sonnets and soliloquies are set to music by

brilliant composers from around the world.Evanston

Saturday, Feb. 13, 8:00 pm Nichols Concert Hall

Chicago (Hyde Park) Sunday, Feb. 14, 4:00 pm

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

Oak Park Saturday, Feb. 20, 8:00 pm

Pilgrim Congregational Church

Naperville Sunday, Feb. 21, 4:00 pm

Wentz Concert Hall

THE HISTORY OF ROCK AND SOULFor decades, Radio Hall-of-Famer Terri Hemmert has taught a college course called “The History of Rock and Soul,” and now we bring it to musical life. From Louis Jordan and Elvis to Motown,

gospel, and R&B, we’ll trace the path of the 20th century’s popular music, with Terri herself as onstage narrator and guide. This fascinating musical history lesson will be the most fun you’ve ever

had in school!

Gala ConcertGOOD VIBRATIONS: Music of the Beach Boys

Chicago a cappella performs unforgettable classics by the Beach Boys, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their iconic sound, and guests enjoy great food,

wine, and performances by our High School Intern Ensemble.

Oak Park Friday, April 15, 8:00 pm

Pilgrim Congregational Church

Evanston Saturday, April 16, 8:00 pm

Nichols Concert Hall

Chicago Sunday, April 17, 4:00 pm Logan Center for the Arts

Naperville Sunday, April 24, 4:00 pm

Wentz Concert Hall

Saturday, May 14, 2016 The Winter Garden at Chicago’s

Harold Washington Library

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tickets and information: chicagoacappella.org or (773) 281-7820


PROGR A M

I Wonder as I Wander ............................................................................................. John Jacob Niles, arr. Steve Pilkington

*******Blessed be that Maid Marie ..........................................................................................Seán DohertyThe Angel Gabriel ...............................................................................Basque carol, arr. Alan Smith

*******Ave Maria .......................................................................................................................... Javier BustoAnd The Glory of the Lord ...................................................................... G. F. Handel, arr. J. Miller

*******Magnificat ..............................................................................................................................Arvo Pärt

*******Today the Virgin .............................................................................................................John Tavener

*******De Tierra Lejana Venimos ........................................... Puerto Rican carol, arr. Ruben FederizónWe Three Kings ...........................................................................................John Henry Hopkins, Jr.,

arr. Darmon Meader*******

Christmas Spiritual Medley .............................................................................. arr. Joseph JenningsI N T E R M I S S I O N

The 12 Days of Everything ..............................................................................................arr. J. Miller*******

Who is the baby? ................................................................................................. Rosephanye Powell

Mary, Did You Know? ............................. M. Lowry & B. Greene, arr. Pentatonix/Paul Langford*******

S’vivon .................................................................................................................Hebrew folk melody, arr. J. Miller

S’vivon .......................................................................................................................arr. Steve Barnett*******

Ain’t Dat A-Rockin’ All Night? ..................................................................spiritual, arr. Paul Carey

Amuworo ayi otu nwa ..............................................................................................Christian Onyeji *******

Lo V’chayil .....................................................................................................................Elliot Z. Levin *******

Si no me dan de beber lloro ............................................................................... Puerto Rican carol, arr. J. Miller

Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the ushers. Unauthorized photography or sound recording of any kind are strictly prohibited. Smoking is prohibited in all venues. Food and beverage are not permitted in the audience seating area. Thank you for your cooperation.


FROM THE ARTISTIC D IRECTOR

Welcome to “Holidays a cappella.” We’re glad that you’re here. This show marks the first concert music-directed by Benjamin Rivera, who also celebrates his tenth anniversary as a singer with Chicago a cappella this month. Benjamin is a thoughtful, multitalented colleague. He suggested much of the repertoire on this program, including the Tavener and Pärt pieces. He also brought ideas for the Puerto Rican selections, reflecting part of his own heritage and adding a new dimension to our programming; his own introduction appears below.

* * * * * * *

I am writing these “Holidays” introductory notes in mid-October. It’s not winter yet, but we’re headed there. The sun is pouring in my kitchen window. The red, yellow, and orange leaf colors kicked in a few days ago. After a long, sunny, dry, glorious early autumn, it finally turned chilly last night, with frost advisories. While taking the dogs outside this morning, I met an in-breath of bracing, crisp fall air. Daylight, recently so lavishly prolific that we could fool ourselves into taking it for granted, is now of increasing scarcity.

Choral conductors have to do a sort of seasonal time-travel when it comes to picking music. We often program our December concerts in the summer and our spring concerts sometime when it’s cold. In addition to the sense of “Christmas in July,” I had a new experience recently: “Chanukah in October.” On October 5th, Matt Greenberg and I, along with my mom, spent a morning with producer Cydne Gillard at WFMT Studios, where we taped the narrative portion of our first-ever Chanukah radio special. Steve Robinson joined us for some of the time, and together we created something wonderful. For some reason, taping this Chanukah show helped me first make the transition into the colder, drier, darker season. We kept talking about lighting candles and just looking at them, about miracles that happened long ago and still inspire us. All that may have had something to do with my sense of moving into the holidays. Of course, the story of the birth of Jesus is also awe-inspiring, and the stories and lyrics about Christmas give rise to most of the songs on today’s concert.

When in the calendar do you typically have that shift into feeling that the holiday season is now here? Is it the weather, perhaps some critical mass of customs, traditions, or rituals? Is there one thing that you do every year that provides the transition point? There are also people who never really feel something like that, mostly feeling out of sync with all the bustle around of them; if you’re one of those people, then I hope that our concert at least gives you beauty and joy, if not the feeling that the season is finally here.

* * * * * * *

2015 was a rough year in my family. Between May and September we lost Sandy’s mom, my dad, my stepmother, and our cat. I imagine that many of you likewise are dealing with various sorts of life transitions or situations now, be they joyous or sad, transcendent or difficult, brief or chronic. I hope that taking some time to connect with the wonderful lyrics and music on today’s program, and of sharing in the generous gifts of our musicians’ talents and hearts, will add brightness and depth to whatever is happening in your life.

We deeply appreciate your being here. We wish you a wonderful remainder to your holiday season and a happy and healthy 2016.

Warmly,

Jonathan Miller Founder and Artistic Director


FROM THE MUSIC D IRECTOR

They say good things come to those who wait. I doubt this is always the case, but it has certainly been true for me. While it is common knowl-edge that I gave my singing debut with Chicago a cappella in 2005 for their Holidays program, how this came about is a rather long story. The short version is that Jonathan came to hear His Majestie’s Clerkes (now Bella Voce) in concert in 2000, in which I was a soloist. We met for the first time after the concert, and he asked if I’d be interested in audition-ing for Chicago a cappella. I said yes, but time passed and we didn’t

connect. In 2003, he asked me again, and I obliged. I passed the audition and was placed on the alternate roster, meaning that I would be considered when a substitute was needed in the bass section. This didn’t happen until 2005, when Jonathan decided to test the new concept of directing the rehearsal process as a non-singing member. It went well enough, and I was offered a position in the ensemble for the entire 2006-07 season, while he and Patrick Sinozich took on the role of (non-singing) Music Director. Upon Patrick’s retirement as Music Director, Jonathan was tasked with finding music directors for various programs over the next few years. After another wait, the circumstances and timing have worked out so that I am able to take on the role of Guest Music Director for this program. I am thrilled, just as I was when I finally landed that first “Holidays a cappella” show ten years ago.

In forming and shaping the program with Jonathan, I wanted to include a few components that show a little of my background and musical journey:

The first component is a sort of through-line from the beginning of the program to intermis-sion, proceeding from prophecy, and the reasons for Christ’s incarnation, to stories of Mary and the birth of Jesus, to songs about the star, angels, shepherds, and the three wise men. It’s not a straight line as much as it is a spiral, with certain aspects of the story overlapped with others; but the progression to the star is clear, and the spirituals medley rounds out the first half in style. For me, this narrative—the Christmas story—is a source of great inspiration; it has been with me since before I can remember, and it remains embedded in my soul. The re-mainder of the program allows you to enjoy some lighter moments, some Chanukah pieces, and some more music in the tradition of the spiritual.

The second is the inclusion of music in which I have developed a specialization. I have included a work by Tavener—about whom I wrote my doctoral dissertation—spirituals, and even one of the choruses from Messiah to represent my work in the choral/orchestral field. While these might seem disparate, I suppose that is who I am as a musician. I enjoy all sorts of music, and I like to keep my musical life from being too homogeneous.

The final element is a small taste of my ethnic heritage. My father is Puerto Rican, the first member of his family born in the States. While there is a large Spanish-speaking community in Chicago, Puerto Ricans are a relatively small percentage. (In the year I was born, the num-bers of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans in Chicago were nearly identical. Now, there are four or five times as many Mexicans as Puerto Ricans.) As a result, much of what surfaces in Chica-go by way of Latino culture these days—food, music, art, etc.—is not from my tradition. So I thought I would include a couple of songs that are very well known to Puerto Ricans, but not typically sung or heard outside of those circles.

I hope you enjoy the story. I hope you enjoy the variety. And I hope you enjoy hearing music that may be your favorite or may be new to you. This is me, and this is Chicago a cappella.

—Benjamin Rivera


NOTES ON THE MUSIC BY JONATHAN MILLER

J. J. Niles, arr. Steve Pilkington: I Wonder as I WanderThis much-loved tune is partly traditional and partly composed. The “original” melody for this carol was pieced together by John Jacob Niles from three lines which he cajoled out of a young girl in 1933, in Murphy, North Carolina (the mountainous far west of the state, in the Appalachians). Niles paid Annie Morgan twenty-five cents per performance; after eight tries, he notes, “I had only three lines of verse, a garbled fragment of melodic material—and a magnificent idea.” He fleshed out the melody and wrote additional verses, first recording the song in 1938 on a 78-rpm disc for RCA Red Seal. The melody has found an exquisite home in this a cappella choral setting by Steve Pilkington, who teaches at the acclaimed Westminster Choir College (Rider University) in Princeton, New Jersey.

For the record: “I Wonder as I Wander” appears on our CD Christmas a cappella.

Seán Doherty: Blessed be that Maid MarieSeán Doherty is a rising star in the current generation of young composers from Ireland. For this piece, while contemplating the refrain of the medieval carol, which reads “Eya! Ihesus hodie natus est” (something like “Hey! Christ is born today”), Doherty was reminded of the hip-hop song Hey Ya!, performed by the group Outkast as well as the plainchant Hodie Christus natus est from the vespers service on Christmas Day. The rhythmic drive of hip-hop makes its way into this piece, a delightful stylistic mashup that retains great integrity and fidelity to the text.

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NOTES ON THE MUSIC BY JONATHAN MILLER c o n t.

Blessed be that Maid Marie;Born He was of her body;Very God ere time began,Born in time the Son of man.

Refrain:Eya! Ihesus hodieNatus est de Virgine.

In a manger of an assJesus lay and lulled was;Born to die upon the TreePro peccante homine.

Refrain

Sweet and blissful was the songChanged of the Angel throng,“Peace on earth,” Alleluya.In excelsis gloria.

Refrain

Fare three Kings from far-off land,Incense, gold and myrrh in hand;In Bethlehem the Babe they see,Stelle ducti lumine.

Refrain

Make we merry on this fest,In quo Christus natus est;On this Child I pray you call,To assoil and save us all.

Hey! Today Jesus was born of a Virgin

For man’s sin.

Glory in the highest.

Led by the light of a star.

In which Christ was born;

—Text and translation printed by permission of Saint James Music Press

Basque carol, arr. Alan Smith: The Angel GabrielThe translation of this text is at least as famous as the Basque-country tune with which it has been paired. This much-loved English version is by Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924), who was not only a county vicar but also a prolific folk-song collector, and his scholarly treatment of werewolves is one of the most frequently cited studies on the topic. Alan Smith’s classy a cappella setting borrows some of its spirit from the classic version in the Oxford Book of Carols.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;“All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,most highly favored lady,” Gloria!



“For known a blessed Mother thou shalt be,all generations laud and honor thee,thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,“my soul shall laud and magnify His holy Name.”Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was bornin Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say--“Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

—Trans. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould, Text printed by permission of Alliance Music Publications

Javier Busto: Ave MariaThere are many musical settings of Gabriel’s message to Mary. This one has a particularly well-defined sense of repose and peacefulness. Javier Busto also is from the Basque country and directed his first choir in the city of Hondarribia. Busto is a remarkable musician, a physician by training who is self-taught as a composer and one of the most respected figures in the choral community worldwide. The upper voices seem to have a way of floating, almost like angels, while the whole piece remains grounded and calm.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.Benedicta tu in mulieribus,et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,ora pro nobis peccatoribus,nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

—Liturgical text

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.Blessed art thou among women,and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God,pray for us sinners,now and in the hour of our death.

—trans. Choral Public Domain Library

G. F. Handel, arr. Jonathan Miller: And The Glory of the LordOne of the beloved choruses from early in Handel’s Messiah, this jubilant movement sets the well-known words from the prophet Isaiah. We perform the music here in a new a cappella arrangement, created for these performances.

Arvo Pärt: MagnificatAfter experimenting with the various postwar musical trends such as serialism, the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt had his life changed through an encounter with Gregorian chant in the 1970s. He created an intense, personal style of composition (which he calls tintinnabulum, after the sounds of bells) that is almost completely derived from the number of syllables in each word. In this austere style, the structure of each word dictates, in large part, the melodic contour and rhythmic stress of each word, and these in turn give shape to each phrase. His works are astounding in their combination of simplicity and power. The Magnificat is one of Pärt’s best-known compositions, a stunning exposition of Mary’s heartfelt prayer after she is visited by the angel.



Magnificat anima mea Dominum.

Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo.

Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent

omnes generationes.

Quia fecit mihi magna,qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius.

Et misericordia a progenie in progenies,timentibus eum.

Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo,dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.

Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles.

Esurientes implevit bonis,et divites dimisit inanes.

Suscepit Israel puerum suumrecordatus misericordie suae.

Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,Abraham et semini eius in saecula.

Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto,sicut erat in principioet nunc et in saecula saeculorum,Amen.

My soul magnifies the Lord.

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

For He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden. Behold, from henceforth, I will be called blessed

by all generations.

For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm,He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.He has filled the hungry with good things,and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped His servant Israelin remembrance of His mercy.

According to the promise He made to our ancestors,to Abraham and to His descendants forever..

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and for ever and ever, Amen.

—trans. Pamela Dellal, courtesy Emmanuel Music Inc.

John Tavener: Today the VirginThe late John Tavener, an Englishman, became a member of the Orthodox Church in 1977, when he was in his early thirties. Much of his output was inspired by Russian and/or Byzantine chant traditions. His music typically has an ethereal quality to it, similar in some ways to that of Arvo Pärt, whom you’ll hear later. However, in this piece, Tavener takes a more direct, angular approach, drawing on the tradition of the medieval English carol in his setting of a Christmas text by Mother Thekla (1918-2011), who was an important force in his life. A remarkable woman, she was born Marina Scharf in the northern Caucasus and escaped to England with her family during the Russian Revolution; eventually she took orders, later becoming Abbess of the small Orthodox community in the south of England, which relocated to the Yorkshire Moors in 1974. She played many influential roles in Tavener’s life, including spiritual (and commercial) advisor, librettist, and counselor; Tavener later said that he could not have worked so well with another librettist, writing that she “helped me put my music and my life together.”



Puerto Rican carol, arr. Ruben Federizón: De Tierra Lejana VenimosThis traditional carol comes to us in a lovely setting by Ruben Federizón, a musician who studied in the Philippines and in Canada and currently lives in Vancouver, BC. He was the resident arranger for the Philippine Madrigal Singers and has arranged folk songs from around the world.

The carol De tierra lejana focuses on the journey of the wise men to worship Jesus at the manger. As with the Puerto Rican carol that closes our show, this song emphasizes the importance of Epiphany, January 6th (el día de los Reyes) over Christmas as the dominant occasion in the holiday celebration. Instead of putting out cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve, Puertorriqueño children go outside on January 5th with scissors to cut grass, which they put into shoe boxes that then go under the beds of parents, grandparents, and other elders. The grass is intended for the camels to eat while los tres Reyes (the three kings) leave presents for the children.

De tierra lejana venimos a verte; nos sirve de guia la Estrella de Oriente.

Oh, brillante estrella, que anuncias la aurora, no nos falte nunca tu luz bienhechora.

¡Gloria en las alturas al Hijo de Dios! ¡Gloria en las alturas y en la tierra amor!

Al recien nacido que es Rey de los reyes, oro le regalo para ornar sus sienes.



Como es Dios el nino le regalo incienso, perfume con alas que sube hacia el cielo.



—Text courtesy of A Major Music Publishing

We come from a distant land to see you; the star in the East guides us.

Oh, shining star that announces the dawn, we never miss your bounteous light.

Glory in the highest to the Son of God! Glory in the highest and on earth love!

To the newborn who is King of kings, I give a gift of gold to adorn his temples.

Oh, shining star, that announces the dawn, we never miss your bounteous light.


To the child who is God, I give incense, perfume whose winged aroma climbs heavenward.

Oh, shining star that announces the dawn, we never miss your bounteous light.


—trans. Benjamin Rivera

John Henry Hopkins, Jr., arr. Darmon Meader: We Three KingsDarmon Meader is the creative force behind and lead arranger for New York Voices. Lately, in a nice turn of events, he has been making more and more of his a cappella arrangements available to the rest of the world. This setting allows our vocal percussionist to take wing and seems to evoke the spirit of The Lion King toward the end.



arr. Joseph Jennings: Christmas Spiritual Medley A great medley can be a masterpiece, as this one is. Joseph Jennings, who is Chanticleer’s Music Director Emeritus and one of the world’s great choral leaders, created this medley early in his tenure at Chanticleer. It incorporates “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow,” “Behold That Star,” “What Month was My Jesus Born In?,” and several others (we won’t give away the surprise at the end). A countertenor, Jennings was influenced early in his career by gospel groups such as the Ward Sisters; the high, tight gospel-style harmonies found here are a tribute to that influence. In addition to a sense of reverence, Jennings has a sense of humor, as you’ll hear.

I N T E R M I S S I O N

HELP US MEET THIS CHALLENGE!Chicago a cappella has received an exciting challenge from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. This season, the Foundation will match any new gifts, increased gifts, or returning gifts up to $25,000!

• If you have never made a gift to Chicago a cappella, your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar!

• If you made a gift last season, any increase of your gift this year will be matched dollar-for-dollar!

• If you gave in previous seasons but not last year, your entire gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar!

This is an incredible opportunity, and we need your help to make it happen.

To help us with this challenge: • get a donation envelope in the lobby• or donate online at chicagoacappella.org.

Thank you for your generous support!



arr. J. Miller: The 12 Days of EverythingStarting with his mini-smash Jingle Bells Hallelujah Chorus, Jonathan Miller has embarked on a series that he calls “Wacky Christmas Carols.” He writes: “These mashups stem partly from my love of language, partly from my experience singing hymn tunes with different sets of lyrics, and partly from my enjoyment of putting things together that usually don’t get connected. The 12 Days of Everything switches things up at a brisker clip than Jingle Hallelujah. Even the refrain doesn’t use the ‘right’ melody. It’s fun to try to figure out what tune is being used before it changes again. Don’t worry if you don’t get them all. At some point the brain may just give up, in which case you can simply laugh your way to the end.”

Rosephanye Powell: Who is the Baby?A classical vocalist by training and professor of voice at Auburn University, Rosephanye Powell has truly found her own compositional voice with her works for choirs. Her first song to gain wide attention was the quasi-spiritual In the Beginning Was The Word. Even when writing original works such as Who is the Baby?, her style is strongly influenced by the African-American spiritual and by gospel music. Watch for the “vamp” break toward the end.

For the record: “Who is the Baby?” appears on our CD Christmas a cappella.

Lowry/Greene, arr. Pentatonix/Paul Langford: Mary, Did You Know?Pentatonix (also known as “PTX”) is the hottest a cappella group on the planet right now, and this is their #1 hit from last year’s PTX Christmas album. The transcription is by Paul Langford, familiar to many of you as the music director for last year’s Chicago a cappella show called Beatlemania.

Hebrew folk melody, arr. J Miller: S’vivonarr. Steve Barnett: S’vivon

S’vivon is a traditional Hebrew folk song celebrating the holiday of Chanukah. The s’vivon is the traditional spinning top used in Chanukah games, also called dreidl in Yiddish. It has four sides, each with a different Hebrew letter. The letters (corresponding in English to the sounds N, G, H, and SH) each stand for a word in the Hebrew phrase, “Neis gadol hayah sham,” translated as “A great miracle happened there.”

We present two choral versions of the folk tune. The first is a simple setting with typical rhythms and harmonies, arranged by Jonathan Miller. The second, which follows immediately, is an up-tempo, jazzy setting by Twin Cities-based composer Steve Barnett, with harmony and rhythm that quickly bring the tune into our own times.



S’vivon, sov, sov, sov,Chanukah hu chag tov.

Chanukah hu la’am,Neis gadol hayah sham.

—Traditional

Dreydl, spin, spin, spin;Chanukah is a good holiday.

Chanukah is for the people;A great miracle happened there.

—trans. Jonathan MIller

For the record: Steve Barnett’s “S’vivon” appears on our CD Holidays a cappella Live.

spiritual, arr. Paul Carey: Ain’t Dat A-Rockin’ All Night?This spiritual was so well received last year that we decided to bring it you again. Paul Carey, whose settings of spirituals have become some of our favorites, found this tune on one of Odetta’s Christmas album from the 1960s. The title might fool you into thinking that this is a raucous, driving song, but it’s just the opposite. Carey manages to enhance the folk melody with just enough harmonic dress to provide comfort and beauty, while keeping the setting elegantly simple, allowing the melody itself to blossom toward the end.

Mary had a little baby, born in Bethlehem,ev’ry time de Baby cry, she rocked him in a weary land.

Wise men came from de East, guided by de Star,with gold an’ myrrh, an’ frankincense,as she rocked him in a weary land.Ain’ dat a-rockin’ all night, all night long.Herod heard of de news, de baby he did seek,De Lawd tol’ Mary, jes’ you rock him in a weary land.

Ain’ dat a-rockin’ all night, all night long.—Printed by permission of Lorenz Corporation

Christian Onyeji: Amuworo ayi otu nwa This song is an expression of pure joy. Its Nigerian composer, Christian Onyeji, is also a pianist, choreographer, and conductor. He is Professor of Music and Associate Dean of the Arts at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Enugu State, where he researches African music and composes Nigerian art music. He has provided a lovely personal statement as part of his profile on LinkedIn, as follows: “I am a very determined, dedicated and hardworking person, willing to serve and assist others grow and achieve their goals in life. I very much want to serve humanity. I also would love to lay a foundation for change at any point I find myself. I believe it pays greatly to be humble, honest and compassionate.” He walks the walk, and talks the talk.

This piece, in the Igbo language, was designed to fit the needs of modern Nigerian church worship. The text, when sung in English, is likely familiar from Handel’s Messiah. With elements of dance, polyrhythm, and texture typical of the Igbo sub-area, the piece has a driving and jubilant quality. The music is called a “Native Air,” a genre popular among Nigerian art-music lovers. After several refrains and short verses, the texture adds solo voices, with which it builds to a glorious, multi-layered ending.



O n’ihi n’amuwor’ayi otu nwa.Out nwa nwoke ka e nyewor’ayi.Chinekenke bau dike. Nnanke bu nna mgbe nile.

—Printed by permission of Oxford University Press

For unto us a child’s born,unto us a son’s givenThe mighty God, Prince of Peace, Father Everlasting.

—Isaiah 9:6

For the record: “Amuworo ayi otu nwa” appears on our CD Christmas a cappella.

Elliot Z. Levine: Lo V’chayil A founding member of the Western Wind Vocal Ensemble, Elliot Levine has been active as an ensemble singer and composer/arranger for more than forty years. His compositional output includes church anthems and settings of secular poetry as well as Jewish music. This lovely song takes a famous Jewish saying (which has also been set in a more raucous style by Debbie Friedman of blessed memory) and casts it in a meditative, triple-time setting, with phrases that rise and fall beautifully, growing out of the opening ostinato to fullness before releasing back into stillness.

Lo v’chayil v’lo choachKi im b’ruchi amar Adonai tz’vaout

—Zechariah 4:6

Not by might Nor by powerBut My spirit, saith the lord of Hosts

—Trans. by Jonathan Miller

Sunday December 6 | 3 pmTickets at rockefeller.uchicago.edu

Thomas Weisflog and Thomas WikmanSunday December 13 | 5 pmFree

Sunday December 20 | 4 pmTickets at chicagopresents.uchicago.edu

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

PIPES FOR THE SEASON

ANONYMOUS 4The Last Noel



Puerto Rican carol, arr. J. Miller: Si no me dan de beber lloroThe song draws on the Puerto Rican tradition of parranda, which involves going door-to-door, surprising people and grabbing them to join in the caroling, and staying up singing into the wee hours of the night. As with De tierra lejana, the primary holiday celebration of the birth of Jesus is not on December 25th but on January 6th, the festival of the three wise men or los tres Reyes (Epiphany). The sentiment of Si no me dan de beber lloro is basically as follows: “Come on out with us and sing, and let’s have a drink while we sing!” In fact, the last stanza is a traditional Puerto Rican toast. When Benjamin Rivera told Jonathan Miller that he really wanted to include this as one of the Puerto Rican songs on our program, Jonathan looked around and found no choral version, so he made one. Benjamin vetted it and made a few suggestions. This song has amazing energy, and since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, you shouldn’t really be all that surprised to find a reference to Santa Claus in one of the verses.

Si no me dan de beber lloro, si no me dan de beber lloro, si no me dan de beber lloro, si no me dan de beber.

(Coro)

Ésta era la casa, que yo te decia, esta era la casa que yo te decia, Donde a la parranda dan mucha comida, donde a la parranda dan mucha comida.

(Coro)

Prendiste la luz, metiste la pata!Prendiste la luz, metiste la pata! Porque ahora sabemos que estás en tu casa! Porque ahora sabemos que estás en tu casa!

(Coro)

Los tres santos reyes junto a Santa Claus,Los tres santos reyes junto a Santa Claus,Tienen en Las Vegas montado un night clubTienen en Las Vegas montado un night club.

(Coro)

Saca la botella, vamos a brindar.saca la botella, vamos a brindar.Pa’ arriba, pa’ abajo , pa’ al centro y pa’ dentro!Pa’ arriba, pa’ abajo , pa’ al centro y pa’ dentro!

—Reprinted by permission of SCSM Inc.

If you don’t give me a drink, I’m crying,If you don’t give me a drink, I’m crying,If you don’t give me a drink, I’m crying,If you don’t give me a drink.

(Chorus)

This was the house I told you about,This was the house I told you about,Where they give the carolers lots of food,Where they give the carolers lots of food.

(Chorus)

You screwed up--you turned on the light!You screwed up--you turned on the light!Now we know you’re home!Now we know you’re home!

(Chorus)

The three kings together with Santa Claus,The three kings together with Santa Claus,Have a night club set up in Las VegasHave a night club set up in Las Vegas.

(Chorus)

Take out the bottle and we’ll pass it around.Take out the bottle and we’ll pass it around.Up, down, middle, and inside!Up, down, middle, and inside!

—trans. Benjamin Rivera


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Chicago a cappella Outreach Chicago a cappella’s Educational Outreach Programs strive to promote and improve the life-long performance, understanding and appreciation of a cappella vocal music through programming, mentorship and collaboration with schools and community organizations in Chicago and beyond.

Youth Choral FestivalThe Youth Choral Festival is a day of workshops, rehearsals, discussions and mentoring for area high school ensembles. The students work with Chicago a cappella’s artists, and the festival cul-minates in a concert featuring all the groups and Chicago a cappella. The fifth annual Youth Choral

Festival was held on November 7, 2015, at the Logan Center for the Arts on the University of Chicago campus.

High School Internship ProgramOur High School Internship Program gives students a full year of musical and administrative training and mentoring with Chicago a cappella’s singers, directors, board members, and arts administrators. Selected through a comprehensive audition process,

nine talented and motivated students are serving as Chicago a cappella High School Interns in 2015-16, forming their own a cappella ensemble and gaining skills to further their musical ambitions

Customized OutreachOther programs, such as master classes, choral residencies, and youth concerts, are presented by artists from Chicago a cappella’s professional roster of singers and directors, and are customized for the specific needs of each organization.

Learn more at chicagoacappella.org/outreach.


ABOUT CHICAGO A CAPPELL A

Board of DirectorsClaudia Divis, President

Gary Belkin, Vice PresidentDavid Perlman, SecretaryStephen Shaw, Treasurer

William K. FlowersHelen C. Gagel

Joyce Grenis

Robert B. LinnJennifer MarlingJames G. Massie

Monroe RothMaria T. Suarez

David G. ThompsonBarbara Volin

StaffFounder & Artistic Director......................................... Jonathan MillerExecutive Director ..................................................Matthew GreenbergBox Office & Concert Manager ...........................................Deb HobanMarketing/Operations Coordinator ................................Spencer BlairEducation Outreach Coordinator ................................. Susan SchoberProduction & Operations Intern ..........................................Jordan TanMusic Librarian.........................................................Ellen Marchessault

Artistic Roster Jonathan Miller .............................................................Artistic DirectorJohn William Trotter ..................................... Principal Music Director (Jewish Roots of Broadway, Shakespeare a cappella)Benjamin Rivera .........................................Guest Music Director, Bass (Holidays a cappella)Patrick Sinozich .................................................. Guest Music Director (The History of Rock and Soul)Paul Langford ......................Guest Music Director (Good Vibrations)

Megan Bell ........................................ Soprano (Holidays; Shakespeare)Ryan Cox....................................................................Bass (Shakespeare)Matthew Dean ........................................................ Tenor (Shakespeare)Carl Frank ........................Bass (Jewish Roots; Holidays; Shakespeare)Ace Gangoso ........................................ Tenor (Holidays; Rock & Soul)Matt Greenberg ................................Bass (Jewish Roots; Rock & Soul)Garrett Johannsen .......Tenor (Jewish Roots; Holidays; Rock & Soul)Kathryn Kamp .. Soprano (Jewish Roots; Shakespeare; Rock & Soul)Alexia Kruger ...........................................................Soprano (Holidays)Joe Labozetta .................. Bass (Jewish Roots; Holidays; Rock & Soul)Trevor Mitchell ............................. Tenor (Jewish Roots; Shakespeare)Cari Plachy .............. Soprano (Jewish Roots; Holidays; Rock & Soul)Sarah Ponder ...................................................... Mezzo (Entire Season)Emily Price ..........................................................Mezzo (Entire season)Benjamin Rivera .............................................................Bass (Holidays)


B IOGR APHIES

Jonathan Miller, Founder and Artistic Director Jonathan Miller created Chicago a cappella in 1993 to give accomplished ensemble singers an experience of

performing eclectic and exciting repertoire and to share the resulting beauty with the world. A champion of innovative programming, Jonathan has been the group’s driving artistic force through more than 300 performances and nine commercial CD releases, work which was recognized with the 2008 Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America. When Jonathan was a teenage bass in the Chicago Children’s Choir, he was bitten hard by the choral bug. He was fortunate to be exposed to a wide range of repertoire by a remarkable group of mentors, including Christopher Moore, Lena McLin, Max Janowski, Howard Mayer Brown, Richard Proulx, John Nygro, and Anne Heider. Eager to learn research tools for choral music, Jonathan earned his doctorate in historical musicology at UNC-Chapel Hill. After returning to the Chicago area, Jonathan led the choir at Unity Temple in Oak Park for nine years and began composing new choral music while serving there. He has written more than 75 choral works in a variety of genres and languages, on the poetry of such writers as Mark Jarman, Peter Watson Jenkins, and Leonard Cohen; his music has been sung at venues including St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Pentagon. His mashup «Jingle Bells Hallelujah (Chorus)» is a minor hit, and his series of Wacky Christmas Carols continues to mix words and tunes in new combinations. He also is a leading figure in Jewish choral music, active as composer, cantor, conductor, and producer. He serves as high-holiday cantor at Congregation Rodfei Zedek in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. He conducted the Janowski Centenary Concert at KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, also in Hyde Park, in

2012; he received the Perelmuter Award at KAMII in 2013; and he was Scholar-in-Residence at Lakeside Congregation (Highland Park, IL) in 2014. He is the host for the new broadcast, “A Chanukah Celebration with Chicago a cappella,” on the WFMT Fine Arts Network. An enthusiastic auctioneer for charity events, Jonathan serves as Director of Choral Catalog (and in-house choral arranger) at Musicnotes.com and is a former board member of Chorus America.

Benjamin Rivera, Guest Music Director, bass Benjamin Rivera is chorus director of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and artistic director of Cantate, a Chicago-based 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 a DMA in choral conducting from Northwestern University.


B IOGR APHIES c o n t.

Matthew 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 since the groups 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.

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.

Carl Frank, bass Carl Frank, baritone, has received praise for his “compelling”, “spirited” and “charming” performances of a wide range of repertoire spanning opera and

oratorio. Mr. Frank has appeared with the Florentine Opera Company and Arbor Opera Theater, and been a featured soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Symphony, the Community Chorus of Detroit, and the Lakeview Symphony. Favorite operatic roles include: Count Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), Doncairo (Carmen), Sid (Albert Herring), Guglielmo (Cosi fan tutte), John Brooke (Little Women), and Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi). Also an active ensemble singer, Mr. Frank performs with Chicago a cappella, Music of the Baroque, Bach Collegium-Ft. Wayne, The William Ferris Chorale, Bella Voce, Schola Antiqua of Chicago, and Musik Ekklesia. Mr. Frank received his Master’s degree from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s degree from DePauw University. He currently resides in Chicago with his wife, mezzo-soprano, Lindsey Adams and their dog Fiona.

Ace Gangoso, tenor Ace Gangoso, tenor, hails from Little Rock, Arkansas, and is now in his sixth year living and working in the Chicago area. As an ensemble singer, he can often be

seen with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Schola Cantorum Cathedralis (Holy Name Cathedral), and Chicago a cappella. This season, Ace led Chicago a cappella’s Choral Residency at Senn High School, aiding in their preparation for the 2015 Youth Choral Festival. Additionally, Ace is the Assistant Director of Music at First United Methodist Church of Evanston, choral pianist for St. Patrick High School, and private voice teacher at Highland Park High School. Ace holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas, and a Master’s Degree in Voice Performance from



Northwestern University. He is a proud alumni member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the world’s oldest and largest fraternal society in music.

Garrett Johannsen, tenor Garrett Johannsen is proud to be singing with Chicago a cappella! Originally from Schiller Park, Illinois, he graduated from the

Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He has sung with the Lyric Opera Chorus, Chicago Symphony Chorus, Grant Park Chorus, William Ferris Chorale, and Bella Voce. Operatic roles include Jose /Carmen, Spalanzani / Les contes d’Hoffmann, 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, and the Elmhurst Choral Union & Waukegan Symphony / Handel’s Messiah. Garrett recently became an international artist, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in Jane Austen’s Persuasion with Chamber Opera Chicago this summer. He has also been invited back to sing our national anthem for his favorite sports team, the Chicago White Sox, four times. Follow Garrett at garrettjohannsen.com.

Alexia Kruger, soprano Alexia Kruger recently moved to the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago and is enjoying exploring the historic neighborhood with her husband, toddler, and

dog. A member of the Grant Park Chorus and the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Alexia has also been a soloist with such groups as the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta at the Shedd and at Joffrey, and the Chicago

Modern Orchestra Project. As a recitalist, Alexia has appeared on the PianoForte Salon Series Live on WFMT radio, on the Musicians’ Club of Women Award Winners in Concert series at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Fourth Presbyterian Church Friday noonday concert series, and several locations with VOX 3 Collective. Apart from her professional solo and choral work, Alexia spends most of her time identifying objects, attempting animal sounds, and memorizing children’s books by frequently reading them aloud, sometimes many times in a row. You may also find her digging in the dirt, listening to birds, watching the clouds, reading a book, or organizing her house (a compulsive, though satisfying, habit).

Joe Labozetta, bass Now in his fifth season with Chicago a cappella, baritone Joe Labozetta is thrilled to be singing with such esteemed colleagues. Ever the ensemble musician, Joe

has an instrumental background as well. Although perfectly content at the piano and organ, or holding a guitar or bass, choral singing is what he most enjoys. Starting as a boy soprano with the Grammy-recognized Ragazzi Boys’ Chorus in northern California, he has continued to pursue every choral niche, no matter how obscure or exotic. Stylistic interests include: symphonic masterworks, Renaissance polyphony, tight jazz harmonies, vocal percussion, overtone-singing, and traditional Georgian folksong. A graduate of DePaul University’s School of Music, Joe currently holds the position of Director of Music at St. Josaphat Church in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. When not directing his own church choirs, composing hymnody or flailing away on the pipe organ, he regularly appears with Chicago-based performing ensembles: Chicago Symphony Chorus, Grant Park Chorus, William Ferris Chorale, Bella Voce, Ensemble Alioni, The Rookery, and Schola Antiqua.



Cari Plachy, soprano Soprano Cari Plachy is enjoying splitting her time between choral and opera singing. She has been seen throughout the Midwest with Opera for the Young, DuPage

Opera Theater, Light Opera Works and Bowen Park Opera. Favorite roles include Mabel (Pirates of Penzance), Yum-Yum (The Mikado), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), and Rosina (The Barber of Seville). Her choral work includes singing with the Chicago Symphony Chorus. In 2008, she had an opportunity to step out from the chorus and sing a solo in Bruckner’s Psalm 150. The Chicago Sun-Times recognized it as being a “sparkling, and aggressively sung solo.” Cari received her Bachelor’s degree in music education from DePaul University. Since then, she has been working with the education department of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, bringing music to children all over Chicago. In addition to her work in Chicago, Cari was fortunate to bring her love of music to deaf children at Child’s Voice School in Wood Dale. Currently, her days are mostly spent playing mommy to her two little girls!

Sarah Ponder, mezzo Sarah Ponder, mezzo-soprano enjoys a busy career as a soloist and ensemble singer in Chicago. Hailed as “Deeply expressive” (Chicago Sun Times) and

a “first-class soloist” (Chicago Classical Review), some of Sarah’s recent favorite performances include two featured solo appearances with the Grant Park Music Festival, starring as Julia Child in Lee Hoiby’s one-woman opera, Bon Appétit!, and a rousing trio rendition of “Row, Row Your Boat” with

Yo-Yo Ma at Children’s Memorial Hospital as part of her ongoing work with the Citizen Musician Initiative. Through her outreach at Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sarah has also “beguilingly” (Chicago Tribune) performed several solo concerts with famed Maestro Riccardo Muti at the piano. A passionate educator, Sarah holds a teaching position at Loyola University and maintains a large private studio in addition to supporting young composers in workshops throughout the city. She also recently finished recording works from Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Proj ect partnered with the CSO, assisting young mothers to create original lullabies.

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.


SUPPORT CHICAGO A CAPPELLA

Chicago a cappella advances the art and appreciation of ensemble singing. Founded in 1993, our classical vocal ensemble of professional singers moves

the heart and spirit with fun, innovative concerts. Through our Chicago-area subscription series, guest appearances both locally and on tour, CD recordings

and broadcast appearances, and educational and community outreach programming, we strive to enrich lives through music.

DONATEMake a gift today! Ticket sales cover only a portion of our costs. In fact, as a not-for-profit organization, our single largest source of revenue is the generosity of individual donors like you! Your tax-deductible gift supports our educational and artistic work and allows it to thrive and grow. Join our family of supporters by donating in the lobby, or online at chicagoacappella.org/support.

VOLUNTEERGive the gift of time and talent! We often seek volunteers for office work and events, as well as for specialized skills such as music librarian, photography and videography, and more. To receive periodic emails about volunteer opportunities, contact Spencer Blair at [email protected] or call 773-281-7820.

BOARD SERVICEOur Board members are passionate individuals committed to guiding Chicago a cappella to its next stage of success. Each brings a unique skill, professional expertise, and personal and professional network, and all are deeply supportive of our mission. To learn more, contact Matt Greenberg at [email protected].

CONNECTSign up for our e-newsletter at chicagoacappella.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/chicagoacappella.

2936 N. Southport Ave., Room 226 | Chicago, IL 60657Phone (773) 281-7820 | Fax (773) 435-6453

[email protected] | www.chicagoacappella.org


DONORS

Chicago a cappella is honored to acknowledge members of The Accompa-nists, a group of donors who make three-year pledges in support of Chicago

a cappella’s educational and artistic programs.

THE ACCOMPANISTS

Gary Belkin and Ed TuderClaudia and Timothy Divis

William and Jeanetta FlowersHelen Gagel

Marina GilmanJoyce Grenis and Michael Koen

Lawrence Hamilton and Ann HicksHank and Becky Hartman

Howard and Jane HushTom and Margaret Huyck

Murray Kopelow and Cathy BachmanLeslie Lauderdale

Dan and Cari LevinRobert and Fleury Linn

Jennifer MarlingMary Miller

James G. and Christine MassieRuth Oberg

David and Carole PerlmanBette Sikes and Joan Pederson

Monroe and Elaine RothSteve and Priscilla Shaw

Maria T. SuarezBarbara Volin

Dee Dee Whipple

KEEP THE MUSIC GOINGYou can help ensure the ongoing success of our musical and educational programs

by including Chicago a cappella as part of your estate plan. Your commitment provides an opportunity for continued financial support without a current cost. Including Chicago a cappella in your estate planning can be done through any number of vehicles, including bequests, retirement plans, and life insurance.

For more information contact Matt Greenberg at (773) 281-7820 or visit chicagoacappella.org/support.


DONORS c o n t.

We offer our deep gratitude to our contributors who made gifts and pledges to Chicago a cappella since July 1, 2015. 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.

$10,000+Paul M. Angell Family

FoundationThe Arts Work Fund for

Organizational DevelopmentThe MacArthur Funds for Arts

and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

$5,000-$9,999City of Chicago Dept. of Cultural

Affairs and Special EventsElizabeth F. Cheney FoundationThe Gaylord and Dorothy

Donnelley FoundationIllinois Arts Council AgencyThe Saints

$1,000-$4,999Community Bank of Oak Park

River ForestOak Park Area Arts CouncilPierce Family Charitable

Foundation

Up to $999Amazon Smile FoundationFirst Bank and Trust EvanstonMusicnotes.comNorthern TrustPress AmericaStaver Law Group

Matching GiftsAT&T JP Morgan Chase Foundation

NuveenCharles Schwab

In-KindArts & Business Council of

ChicagoAV ChicagoCaruso PRPress AmericaNorbert Shimkus DesignsShiraleah

Media Sponsors91.5 WBEZ Chicago MaroonThe Daily HeraldWFMT 98.7 FM

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORSVISIONARY ($10,000 or more)AnonymousJoyce Grenis & Michael

KoenLawrence Hamilton &

Ann HicksDee Dee Whipple

UNDERWRITER ($5,000 or more)Howard & Jane HushDavid & Carole PerlmanBette Sikes & Joan

PedersonMaria SuarezBarbara Volin

GRAND BENEFACTOR ($2,500 or more)Gary Belkin & Edward

TuderAlex & Rosemary

CudzewiczClaudia & Timothy DivisBill & Jeanetta FlowersHank & Becky HartmanLouise HollandMurray Kopelow & Cathy

Bachman

Leslie LauderdaleBob & Fleury LinnJames G. & Christine

MassieMary MillerRuth ObergMonroe & Elaine RothSteve & Priscilla Shaw

BENEFACTOR ($1,000 or more)Frank G. and Gertrude

Dunlap FundHelen GagelMarina GilmanJoan & Guy GunzbergTerri HemmertDick HewittTom & Margaret HuyckJay & Jackie LauderdaleDan & Cari Levin Jennifer MarlingAlice & David Osberg*Kris SwansonDavid Thompson &

Beatriz MedweckyRichard TribbleLance & Stephanie

Wilkening

PATRON ($500 or more)AnonymousBarbara Butz & Robb

GeigerJim & Ellen DaltonJudith Grubner & Craig

JobsonDon & Joanna Gwinn*Jim & Lois HobartKaren HuntThomas & Linda KampDouglas & Christine

Kelner*Jonathan Miller & Sandra

Siegel MillerJames & Kimberly

NormanRichard & Cindy PardoDale & Donna PrestDoris RoskinNorman & Patricia SackCarolyn Sacksteder*Jennifer & Warren

Schultz*Quenten Schumacher &

Steve GeiermannAnn Stevens*John & Marie TrotterRockwell C. VanceFrank Villella*

Joan Ward & Joe ChandlerDuain Wolfe

SPONSOR ($250 or more)AnonymousTom AndrewsMarguerite BlochPaul BoulisAnn & Roger ColeLaura & Gary CooperHoward & Judy GilbertSanford Greenberg &

Betsy Perdue*Robert HarrisAnne Heider & Steve

WarnerNancy & Arthur HirschSusan KampCharles KatzenmeyerRae Kendrick*Shirlene Ward & Kevin

Kipp*Marina & Andrey

KuznetsovJoan Davis LevinLinda Mast & Bard

SchatzmanCorinne Morrissey


DONORS c o n t.

Drs. Donald & Mary Ellen Newsom*

Dr. Kathleen & Joseph Occhipinti

Diane RasmussenEllen RombergSuzanne & Tim

SchoolmasterJeri & Richard SkeltonGordon & Evelyn StrawGary & Beth WainerTom & Denise WhennenPaul Winberg & Bruce

CzuchnaLori YokoyamaPenny Yunker in Honor of

Bill Flowers

SUPPORTERS ($100 or more)

AnonymousDr. Diane AltkornEula Lewis AndersonWendy Anker & Edward

ReedDian & David BarthCarole BaumgartSusan Beal*Marie BeckmanMarolin BellefleurAllan I & Jan L BergmanBlumenthal & Associates,

LLCJonathan BourneNorm & Mary Jo BowersDonna BrazulisArlene BunisMartrice CaldwellMaria K CarrigJudy ChernickDolores CrossTheodore & Ann DoegeRon & Judy EshlemanMaurice Fantus and Judith

A. Aiello Philanthropic Fund in honor of Helen Gagel

Terry FeiertagDale & Marilyn Fitschen

Mark GreenbergMargo Lynn HablutzelIrene HansenAnn Hewitt*Munn & Bonnie HeydornTerry HodgesElizabeth J HurtigJoe JaniaMargaret & Gary

KachadurianGeorge KlippelJohn & Martha KopczykIvan & Jasna LappinHelen Lauderdale in honor

of Leslie LauderdaleLindy LauderdaleStephen & Lisbeth LernerBarbara & Martin

LetscherTom Letscher In Honor

of Marty and Barbara Letscher

Virginia & William LloydSusan & Joe LunnMary & Steven MagnaniChristine Nicole MartinDavid Miller & Mary

Ellen McNishCheryl & Tom McRobertsGlenn MeadeBetsy Meisenheimer &

Richard W. WesterfieldRobert & Laure MineoRobert & Lois MoellerAlice E. MossKaren MurphyVreni Naess*Cathy & Paul NewportCarolyn & Peter PereiraMarianne & Bernard A

PhelanLarry & Judy PittsJohn & Gail PollesJane Ann PrestMary QuiggLowell SachnoffScott & Brooke SchwarzLeonard & Lisa ServedioLaura Smith

Les & Bev SmulevitzGeri SztukCindy TomeiDave & Carolyn Utech*Paul & Sara VandebergLauren Verdich & Gail

MorseJanneke & Jeff Waal-

FowersTracy & Tony WeismanFred Wellisch & Edie

CanterRebecca WellischVirginia WituckeRobert WolffShawn Ying & Jason

CohenJoel & Frances Zemans

FRIEND ($50 or more)AnonymousPaul & Mary AltmanJanene Bergen & Lori

NeblungBrad BerlageJennifer BiegelSally BirgerFrank Brockway &

Margaret Lonquist*Richard BrunotDan & Amy BurkeJennifer BurrusIoanna & Robert ChaneyJulia & Daniel CoyneRuth CrippenHenry & Ellen CrizJeanne CroweLynn & Jim DentonLora DrozdAnn DwyerRalph & Jenny EarlandsonJim & Carol FancherNorma Felbinger*Jerry Smith & Dottie

FugielEvelyn GaudutisJo-Ann & Stanley GaynorCarolyn Hayes

Barbara Hofmaier & David Heim

Mari Jo & David HigginsKarl & Janice HobartCharles Hoffman &

Tamara SchillerJames HooverValerie HumowieckiMark & Amy JarmanBruce Kuehl & Mary Jane

CrossColleen LabozettaThomas LipsmeyerKaren MaurerScott & Kelly McClearyRobert & Marjorie

McCommonDaniel MelamedWilliam MilesSandi & Mike MillerBelverd & Marian NeedlesGeraldine L. Oberman &

Eleida M. GomezJennifer Lee O’NeilMarjorie PentlandRaiselle & Kenneth

ResnickJonathan & Joy RosnerRobert SacksHoward & Roberta SiegelDavid & Barbara SlivnickTrent & Rachel SparrowGene & Mindy SteinNikki & Fred SteinDorothy & Casmir

SzczepaniakBernard SzeszolTricia TeaterWillard ThomenWilliam WallaceEileen & Dirk WalvoordRobert & Barbara

WichmannDimis J. WymanDeety & Bruce Winograd

*Sustaining donor


DONORS c o n t.

About Face TheaterAV ChicagoBallroom Dance ChicagoBella VoceBig City SwingBike and Roll ChicagoBollywood GrooveBroadway in ChicagoEric BuchholzCheryl WollinChicago BearsChicago Botanic GardenChicago DramatistsChicago Gay Men’s

ChorusChicago Modern

Orchestra ProjectChicago Opera TheaterChicago Shakespeare

TheaterChicago SinfoniettaChicago SkyChicago Symphony

OrchestraChicago White SoxChicago Zoological

SocietyCity Lit Theater CompanyComedysportz TheaterCopper Art DesignsCorepower Dailey MethodDance SpaDee Dee Whipple

DePaul Merle Reskin Theatre

Devon Seafood GrillClaudia DivisEast Bank ClubEdgewater Fitness ClubEmerald City TheatreEnsemble Espanol Spanish

Dance TheatreEvanston Symphony

OrchestraFairgrass LLCFat Willy’s BBQ ShackField MuseumFirst Folio TheatreFive Point Holistic HealthFlavour Cooking SchoolFox Valley RepertoryFrank Lloyd Wright TrustFrench Pastry School Jennifer GirardHarris Theater for Music

and DanceAnn HewittHotel FelixHowl at the MoonJane HushJoffrey Ballet ChicagoKingston MinesKoval Distillery Jim and Archana Lal-

TabakLifeline TheatreLou Malnati’s

Lyric Opera ChicagoMara Karzen Jeweler

DesignsMargaret KachadurianMariano’sJennifer Marling May I Have This DanceMerit School of MusicMetropolis Performing

Arts CenterMichael KorsMindy’s Hot ChocolateMiss Motley PhotographyMity NiceMoksha Yoga CenterMorton ArboretumMuseum of Science and

IndustryMusic Institute of ChicagoMusic of the BaroqueMusic Box TheaterNorbert Shimkus DesignsNorth Central CollegeNorthlight TheaterNuns 4 Fun

EntertainmentOld Town School of Folk

MusicOm on the RangeOpen Door TheaterOrange Shoe Personal

FitnessOwen & EngineCindy Pardo

Perennial VirantPorchlight Music TheatrePress AmericaRavinia FestivalRedhead Piano BarRemy Bumppo Theatre

CompanyShedd AquariumShiraleahSips on ShermanSix FlagsSketchbook Brewing Co.Steep TheaterAnn StevensStrawdog Theatre

CompanySwedish American

MuseumSwedish BakerySymphony of Oak Park

and River ForestTargetThe Second CityTimeline Theatre

CompanyTreasure IslandU of C PresentsUp Comedy ClubVictory Gardens TheaterBarbara VolinYogaview Lincoln ParkZanies Comedy Nite Club

IN KIND CONTRIBUTIONS (SINCE JANUARY 1, 2015)

THANK YOU

Ellyn Caruso, Caruso PRElizabeth Davenport, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

Ken Hannah, Wentz Concert HallBill Hoban

Andrew GonzalezJoan Hutchinson and Joycelin Fowler, Pilgrim Congregational Church

Paul Nicholson, St. Clement ChurchFiona Queen, Music Institute of Chicago

John Sherer and Ryan Loeckel, Fourth Presbyterian ChurchCarolyn Stoner, Chicago Symphony Chorus

Douglas VanHouten and Dennis Northway, Grace Episcopal Church

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.


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