Holidays a cappella

Sunday November, 29, 2015, 4:00 pm

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago

Sunday December 13, 2015, 4:00 pm

Pilgrim Congregation Church
460 Lake St., Oak Park

Friday December 4, 2015, 7:30 pm

Fourth Presbyterian Church
Michigan Avenue at Delaware, Chicago

Friday December 18, 2015, 8:00 pm

Wentz Concert Hall
171 E Chicago Ave., Naperville

Sunday December 6, 2015 3:30 pm

St. Clement Church
642 W Deming Pl., Chicago

Saturday, December 19, 2015, 8:00 pm

Nichols Concert Hall
1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston

Chicago a cappella

Megan Bell, Soprano

Alexia Kruger, Soprano
Cari Plachy, Soprano
Sarah Ponder, Mezzo-soprano
Emily Price, Mezzo-soprano
Ace Gangoso, Tenor
Garrett Johannsen, Tenor
Carl Frank, Bass
Joe Labozetta, Bass
Benjamin Rivera, Bass

Founder and Artistic Director

Jonathan Miller
Guest Music Director
Benjamin Rivera

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

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

Holidays a cappella

UPCOMING EVENTS
SHAKESPEARE A CAPPELLA

The words of William Shakespeare are illuminated through innovative and artful a cappella music as
we commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Bards 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
Oak Park
Saturday, Feb. 13, 8:00 pm
Saturday, Feb. 20, 8:00 pm
Nichols Concert Hall
Pilgrim Congregational Church
Chicago (Hyde Park)
Sunday, Feb. 14, 4:00 pm
Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

Naperville
Sunday, Feb. 21, 4:00 pm
Wentz Concert Hall

THE HISTORY OF ROCK AND SOUL

For 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, well trace the path of the 20th centurys popular music, with Terri herself as
onstage narrator and guide. This fascinating musical history lesson will be the most fun youve ever
had in school!

Oak Park
Friday, April 15, 8:00 pm
Pilgrim Congregational Church

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

Evanston
Saturday, April 16, 8:00 pm
Nichols Concert Hall

Naperville
Sunday, April 24, 4:00 pm
Wentz Concert Hall

Gala Concert

GOOD 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.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

The Winter Garden at Chicagos
Harold Washington Library

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

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Chicago a cappella

PROGR A M
I Wonder as I Wander.............................................................................................. John Jacob Niles,
arr. Steve Pilkington
*******
Blessed be that Maid Marie...........................................................................................Sen Doherty
The Angel Gabriel................................................................................Basque carol, arr. Alan Smith
*******
Ave Maria...........................................................................................................................Javier Busto
And The Glory of the Lord....................................................................... G. F. Handel, arr. J. Miller
*******
Magnificat...............................................................................................................................Arvo Prt
*******
Today the Virgin..............................................................................................................John Tavener
*******
De Tierra Lejana Venimos............................................ Puerto Rican carol, arr. Ruben Federizn
We Three Kings............................................................................................John Henry Hopkins, Jr.,
arr. Darmon Meader
*******
Christmas Spiritual Medley............................................................................... arr. Joseph Jennings
INTERMISSION
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
*******
Svivon..................................................................................................................Hebrew folk melody,
arr. J. Miller
Svivon........................................................................................................................arr. Steve Barnett
*******
Aint Dat A-Rockin All Night?...................................................................spiritual, arr. Paul Carey
Amuworo ayi otu nwa...............................................................................................Christian Onyeji
*******
Lo Vchayil......................................................................................................................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.
Holidays a cappella

F R O M T H E A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R
Welcome to Holidays a cappella. Were glad that youre 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 Prt
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. Its not winter yet, but
were 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 its 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 todays 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 youre 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 Sandys 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 todays 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
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Chicago a cappella

F R O M T H E M U S I C D I R E C TO R
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 knowledge 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 Majesties 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 Id be interested in auditioning for Chicago a cappella. I said yes, but time passed and we didnt
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 didnt 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 Patricks 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 intermission, proceeding from prophecy, and the reasons for Christs incarnation, to stories of Mary
and the birth of Jesus, to songs about the star, angels, shepherds, and the three wise men. Its
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 narrativethe Christmas storyis a source of great inspiration; it
has been with me since before I can remember, and it remains embedded in my soul. The remainder 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 Tavenerabout whom I wrote my doctoral dissertationspirituals, 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 numbers 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 Chicago by way of Latino culture these daysfood, 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
Holidays a cappella

N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R
J. J. Niles, arr. Steve Pilkington: I Wonder as I Wander
This 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 materialand
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.
Sen Doherty: Blessed be that Maid Marie
Sen 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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Chicago a cappella

N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R

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 hodie
Natus est de Virgine.

Hey! Today Jesus was

born of a Virgin

In a manger of an ass
Jesus lay and lulled was;
Born to die upon the Tree
Pro peccante homine.

For mans sin.

Refrain
Sweet and blissful was the song
Changed of the Angel throng,
Peace on earth, Alleluya.
In excelsis gloria.

Glory in the highest.

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

Led by the light of a star.

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.

In which Christ was born;

Text and translation printed by permission of Saint

James Music Press

Basque carol, arr. Alan Smith: The Angel Gabriel

The 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 Smiths
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!

Holidays a cappella

N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R

c o n t.

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 born
in 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 Maria

There are many musical settings of Gabriels 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 Lord

One of the beloved choruses from early in Handels 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 Prt: Magnificat
After experimenting with the various postwar musical trends such as serialism, the Estonian
composer Arvo Prt 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
Prts best-known compositions, a stunning exposition of Marys heartfelt prayer after she is
visited by the angel.

Chicago a cappella

N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R

c o n t.

Magnificat anima mea Dominum.

My soul magnifies the Lord.

Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo.

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.

Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent

For He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden.

Behold, from henceforth, I will be called blessed

omnes generationes.

by all generations.

Quia fecit mihi magna,

qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius.

For the Mighty One has done

great things for me, and holy is His name.

Et misericordia a progenie in progenies,

timentibus eum.

His mercy is for those who fear Him

from generation to generation.

Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo,

dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.

He has shown strength with His arm,

He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles.

Esurientes implevit bonis,
et divites dimisit inanes.

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.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum

recordatus misericordie suae.

He has helped His servant Israel

in remembrance of His mercy.

Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,

Abraham et semini eius in saecula.

According to the promise He made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to His descendants forever..

Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto,

sicut erat in principio
et nunc et in saecula saeculorum,
Amen.

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 Virgin

The 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 Prt, whom youll 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
Taveners 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.

Holidays a cappella

N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R

c o n t.

Puerto Rican carol, arr. Ruben Federizn: De Tierra Lejana Venimos

This traditional carol comes to us in a lovely setting by Ruben Federizn, 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 da 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, Puertorriqueo 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.

We come from a distant land to see you; the star

in the East guides us.

Oh, brillante estrella, que anuncias la aurora, no

nos falte nunca tu luz bienhechora.

Oh, shining star that announces the dawn, we

never miss your bounteous light.

Gloria en las alturas al Hijo de Dios! Gloria en

las alturas y en la tierra amor!

Glory in the highest to the Son of God! Glory in

the highest and on earth love!

Al recien nacido que es Rey de los reyes, oro le

regalo para ornar sus sienes.

To the newborn who is King of kings, I give a gift

of gold to adorn his temples.

Oh, brillante estrella, que anuncias la aurora, no

nos falte nunca tu luz bienhechora.

Oh, shining star, that announces the dawn, we

never miss your bounteous light.

Gloria en las alturas al Hijo de Dios! Gloria en

las alturas y en la tierra amor!

Glory in the highest to the Son of God! Glory in

the highest and on earth love!

Como es Dios el nino le regalo incienso, perfume

con alas que sube hacia el cielo.

To the child who is God, I give incense, perfume

whose winged aroma climbs heavenward.

Oh, brillante estrella, que anuncias la aurora, no

nos falte nunca tu luz bienhechora.

Oh, shining star that announces the dawn, we

never miss your bounteous light.

Gloria en las alturas al Hijo de Dios! Gloria en

las alturas y en la tierra amor!

Glory in the highest to the Son of God! Glory in

the highest and on earth love!

Text courtesy of A Major Music Publishing

trans. Benjamin Rivera

John Henry Hopkins, Jr., arr. Darmon Meader: We Three Kings

Darmon 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.

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Chicago a cappella

N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R

c o n t.

arr. Joseph Jennings: Christmas Spiritual Medley

A great medley can be a masterpiece, as this one is. Joseph Jennings, who is Chanticleers
Music Director Emeritus and one of the worlds 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 wont 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 youll hear.
INTERMISSION

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!

Holidays a cappella

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N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R

c o n t.

arr. J. Miller: The 12 Days of Everything

Starting 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 dont
get connected. The 12 Days of Everything switches things up at a brisker clip than Jingle
Hallelujah. Even the refrain doesnt use the right melody. Its fun to try to figure out what
tune is being used before it changes again. Dont worry if you dont 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 years PTX Christmas album. The transcription is by Paul
Langford, familiar to many of you as the music director for last years Chicago a cappella
show called Beatlemania.
Hebrew folk melody, arr. J Miller: Svivon
arr. Steve Barnett: Svivon
Svivon is a traditional Hebrew folk song celebrating the holiday of Chanukah. The svivon
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.

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Chicago a cappella

N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R

c o n t.

Svivon, sov, sov, sov,

Chanukah hu chag tov.

Dreydl, spin, spin, spin;

Chanukah is a good holiday.

Chanukah hu laam,
Neis gadol hayah sham.

Chanukah is for the people;

A great miracle happened there.

Traditional

trans. Jonathan MIller

For the record: Steve Barnetts Svivon

appears on our CD Holidays a cappella Live.
spiritual, arr. Paul Carey: Aint 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
Odettas Christmas album from the 1960s. The title might fool you into thinking that this is
a raucous, driving song, but its 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,
evry 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 Handels 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.

Holidays a cappella

13

N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R
O nihi namuworayi otu nwa.
Out nwa nwoke ka e nyeworayi.
Chinekenke bau dike. Nnanke bu nna mgbe nile.
Printed by permission of Oxford University Press

c o n t.

For unto us a childs born,

unto us a sons given
The 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 Vchayil
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 vchayil
vlo choach
Ki im bruchi amar Adonai tzvaout
Zechariah 4:6

14

Not by might
Nor by power
But My spirit, saith the lord of Hosts
Trans. by Jonathan Miller

HANDELS
MESSIAH

PIPES FOR
THESEASON

ANONYMOUS 4
The Last Noel

Sunday December 6 | 3 pm
Tickets at
rockefeller.uchicago.edu

Thomas Weisflog and

Thomas Wikman
Sunday December 13 | 5 pm
Free

Sunday December 20 | 4 pm
Tickets at
chicagopresents.uchicago.edu

Chicago a cappella

N O T E S O N T H E M U S I C B Y J O N AT H A N M I L L E R

c o n t.

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

The song draws on the Puerto Rican tradition of parranda, which involves going door-todoor, 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 lets 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 shouldnt 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.

If you dont give me a drink, Im crying,

If you dont give me a drink, Im crying,
If you dont give me a drink, Im crying,
If you dont give me a drink.

(Coro)

(Chorus)

sta era la casa, que yo te deca,

sta era la casa que yo te deca,
Donde a la parranda dan mucha comida,
donde a la parranda dan mucha comida.

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.

(Coro)

(Chorus)

Prendiste la luz, metiste la pata!

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

You screwed up--you turned on the light!

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

(Coro)

(Chorus)

Los tres santos reyes junto a Santa Claus,

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

The three kings together with Santa Claus,

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

(Coro)

(Chorus)

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!

Take out the bottle and well pass it around.

Take out the bottle and well pass it around.
Up, down, middle, and inside!
Up, down, middle, and inside!

Reprinted by permission of SCSM Inc.

trans. Benjamin Rivera

Holidays a cappella

15

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16

Chicago a cappella

Chicago a cappella Outreach

Chicago a cappellas Educational Outreach Programsstrive 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 Festival

The Youth Choral Festival is a day of workshops,

rehearsals, discussions and mentoring for area
high school ensembles. The students work with
Chicago a cappellas artists, and the festival culminates 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 Program

Our High School Internship Program

gives students a full year of musical and
administrative training and mentoring with
Chicago a cappellas 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 Outreach

Other programs, such as master classes, choral

residencies, and youth concerts, are presented
by artists from Chicago a cappellas professional
roster of singers and directors, and are customized
for the specific needs of each organization.

Learn more at
chicagoacappella.org/outreach.
Holidays a cappella

17

A B O U T C H I C AG O A C A P P E L L A
Claudia Divis, President
Gary Belkin, Vice President
David Perlman, Secretary
Stephen Shaw, Treasurer
William K. Flowers
Helen C. Gagel
Joyce Grenis

Board of Directors

Robert B. Linn
Jennifer Marling
James G. Massie
Monroe Roth
Maria T. Suarez
David G. Thompson
Barbara Volin

Staff
Founder & Artistic Director......................................... Jonathan Miller
Executive Director...................................................Matthew Greenberg
Box Office & Concert Manager............................................Deb Hoban
Marketing/Operations Coordinator.................................Spencer Blair
Education Outreach Coordinator.................................. Susan Schober
Production & Operations Intern...........................................Jordan Tan
Music Librarian.........................................................Ellen Marchessault
Artistic Roster
Jonathan Miller..............................................................Artistic Director
John 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)

18

Chicago a cappella

BIOGR APHIES
Jonathan Miller,
Founder and Artistic
Director
Jonathan Miller created
Chicagoa cappellain
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 groups
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 Childrens 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. Patricks 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 Chicagos 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-inResidence at Lakeside Congregation
(Highland Park, IL) in 2014. He is the host for
the new broadcast, A Chanukah Celebration
with Chicagoa 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 ofCantate,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.

Holidays a cappella

19

BIOGR APHIES

c o n t.

Matthew Greenberg,
Executive Director
A founding ensemble
member of Chicago a
cappella, Matt has served
as the organizations
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 Americas 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 Chicagos
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 visitmebell.musicteachershelper.
comfor more information.

20

Chicago a cappella

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 Masters degree from the
University of Michigan and his Bachelors
degree from DePauw University. He currently
resides in Chicago with his wife, mezzosoprano, 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 cappellas 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
Bachelors Degree in Music Education from
the University of Central Arkansas, and a
Masters Degree in Voice Performance from

BIOGR APHIES

c o n t.

Northwestern University. He is a proud

alumni member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia,
the worlds oldest and largest fraternal society
in music.
Garrett Johannsen,
tenor
Garrett Johannsen is
proud to be singing with
Chicagoa 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 Jos /Carmen, Spalanzani /Les contes
dHoffmann, Nanki-Poo /The Mikado, The
Lover /Amelia Goes to the Balland Lucano
/The Coronation of Poppea. He has appeared
as soloist with the International Chamber
Artists / MozartsRequiem, and the Elmhurst
Choral Union & Waukegan Symphony /
HandelsMessiah. Garrett recently became an
international artist, performing at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in Jane
AustensPersuasionwith 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 childrens 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, overtonesinging, and traditional Georgian folksong. A
graduate of DePaul Universitys 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.

Holidays a cappella

21

BIOGR APHIES

c o n t.

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 Bruckners Psalm 150. The
Chicago Sun-Times recognized it as being a
sparkling, and aggressively sung solo. Cari
received her Bachelors 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 Childs Voice School in
Wood Dale. Currently, her days are mostly
spent playing mommy to her two little girls!
Sarah Ponder, mezzo
Sarah Ponder, mezzosoprano 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 Sarahs recent favorite
performances include two featured solo
appearances with the Grant Park Music
Festival, starring as Julia Child in Lee Hoibys
one-woman opera, Bon Apptit!, and a rousing
trio rendition of Row, Row Your Boat with

22

Chicago a cappella

Yo-Yo Ma at Childrens 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 Halls 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.

DONATE
Make 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.
VOLUNTEER
Give 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 sblair@
chicagoacappella.org or call 773-281-7820.
BOARD SERVICE
Our 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 mgreenberg@chicagoacappella.org.
CONNECT
Sign up for our e-newsletter at chicagoacappella.org.
Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/chicagoacappella.

2936 N. Southport Ave., Room 226 | Chicago, IL 60657

Phone (773) 281-7820 | Fax (773) 435-6453
info@chicagoacappella.org | www.chicagoacappella.org
Holidays a cappella

23

DONORS

THE ACCOMPANISTS
Chicago a cappella is honored to acknowledge members of The Accompanists, a group of donors who make three-year pledges in support of Chicago
a cappellas educational and artistic programs.
Gary Belkin and Ed Tuder
Claudia and Timothy Divis
William and Jeanetta Flowers
Helen Gagel
Marina Gilman
Joyce Grenis and Michael Koen
Lawrence Hamilton and Ann Hicks
Hank and Becky Hartman
Howard and Jane Hush
Tom and Margaret Huyck
Murray Kopelow and Cathy Bachman
Leslie Lauderdale
Dan and Cari Levin
Robert and Fleury Linn
Jennifer Marling
Mary Miller
James G. and Christine Massie
Ruth Oberg
David and Carole Perlman
Bette Sikes and Joan Pederson
Monroe and Elaine Roth
Steve and Priscilla Shaw
Maria T. Suarez
Barbara Volin
Dee Dee Whipple

KEEP THE MUSIC GOING

You 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.
24

Chicago a cappella

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.

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

$10,000+
Paul M. Angell Family
Foundation
The Arts Work Fund for
Organizational Development
The MacArthur Funds for Arts
and Culture at the Richard H.
Driehaus Foundation
$5,000-$9,999
City of Chicago Dept. of Cultural
Affairs and Special Events
Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation
The Gaylord and Dorothy
Donnelley Foundation
Illinois Arts Council Agency
The Saints

$1,000-$4,999
Community Bank of Oak Park
River Forest
Oak Park Area Arts Council
Pierce Family Charitable
Foundation
Up to $999
Amazon Smile Foundation
First Bank and Trust Evanston
Musicnotes.com
Northern Trust
Press America
Staver Law Group
Matching Gifts
AT&T
JP Morgan Chase Foundation

Nuveen
Charles Schwab
In-Kind
Arts & Business Council of
Chicago
AV Chicago
Caruso PR
Press America
Norbert Shimkus Designs
Shiraleah
Media Sponsors
91.5 WBEZ
Chicago Maroon
The Daily Herald
WFMT 98.7 FM

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS
VISIONARY
($10,000 or more)
Anonymous
Joyce Grenis & Michael
Koen
Lawrence Hamilton &
Ann Hicks
Dee Dee Whipple
UNDERWRITER
($5,000 or more)
Howard & Jane Hush
David & Carole Perlman
Bette Sikes & Joan
Pederson
Maria Suarez
Barbara Volin

Leslie Lauderdale
Bob & Fleury Linn
James G. & Christine
Massie
Mary Miller
Ruth Oberg
Monroe & Elaine Roth
Steve & Priscilla Shaw

BENEFACTOR
($1,000 or more)
Frank G. and Gertrude
Dunlap Fund
Helen Gagel
Marina Gilman
Joan & Guy Gunzberg
Terri Hemmert
Dick Hewitt
GRAND BENEFACTOR Tom & Margaret Huyck
($2,500 or more)
Jay & Jackie Lauderdale
Gary Belkin & Edward
Dan & Cari Levin
Tuder
Jennifer Marling
Alex & Rosemary
Alice & David Osberg*
Cudzewicz
Kris Swanson
Claudia & Timothy Divis David Thompson &
Bill & Jeanetta Flowers
Beatriz Medwecky
Hank & Becky Hartman
Richard Tribble
Louise Holland
Lance & Stephanie
Murray Kopelow & Cathy
Wilkening
Bachman

PATRON ($500 or more)

Anonymous
Barbara Butz & Robb
Geiger
Jim & Ellen Dalton
Judith Grubner & Craig
Jobson
Don & Joanna Gwinn*
Jim & Lois Hobart
Karen Hunt
Thomas & Linda Kamp
Douglas & Christine
Kelner*
Jonathan Miller & Sandra
Siegel Miller
James & Kimberly
Norman
Richard & Cindy Pardo
Dale & Donna Prest
Doris Roskin
Norman & Patricia Sack
Carolyn Sacksteder*
Jennifer & Warren
Schultz*
Quenten Schumacher &
Steve Geiermann
Ann Stevens*
John & Marie Trotter
Rockwell C. Vance
Frank Villella*

Joan Ward & Joe Chandler

Duain Wolfe
SPONSOR
($250 or more)
Anonymous
Tom Andrews
Marguerite Bloch
Paul Boulis
Ann & Roger Cole
Laura & Gary Cooper
Howard & Judy Gilbert
Sanford Greenberg &
Betsy Perdue*
Robert Harris
Anne Heider & Steve
Warner
Nancy & Arthur Hirsch
Susan Kamp
Charles Katzenmeyer
Rae Kendrick*
Shirlene Ward & Kevin
Kipp*
Marina & Andrey
Kuznetsov
Joan Davis Levin
Linda Mast & Bard
Schatzman
Corinne Morrissey
Holidays a cappella

25

DONORS

c o n t.

Drs. Donald & Mary Ellen

Newsom*
Dr. Kathleen & Joseph
Occhipinti
Diane Rasmussen
Ellen Romberg
Suzanne & Tim
Schoolmaster
Jeri & Richard Skelton
Gordon & Evelyn Straw
Gary & Beth Wainer
Tom & Denise Whennen
Paul Winberg & Bruce
Czuchna
Lori Yokoyama
Penny Yunker in Honor of
Bill Flowers

Mark Greenberg
Margo Lynn Hablutzel
Irene Hansen
Ann Hewitt*
Munn & Bonnie Heydorn
Terry Hodges
Elizabeth J Hurtig
Joe Jania
Margaret & Gary
Kachadurian
George Klippel
John & Martha Kopczyk
Ivan & Jasna Lappin
Helen Lauderdale in honor
of Leslie Lauderdale
Lindy Lauderdale
Stephen & Lisbeth Lerner
Barbara & Martin
SUPPORTERS ($100 or
Letscher
more)
Tom Letscher In Honor
Anonymous
of Marty and Barbara
Dr. Diane Altkorn
Letscher
Eula Lewis Anderson
Virginia & William Lloyd
Wendy Anker & Edward Susan & Joe Lunn
Reed
Mary & Steven Magnani
Dian & David Barth
Christine Nicole Martin
Carole Baumgart
David Miller & Mary
Susan Beal*
Ellen McNish
Marie Beckman
Cheryl & Tom McRoberts
Marolin Bellefleur
Glenn Meade
Allan I & Jan L Bergman Betsy Meisenheimer &
Blumenthal & Associates,
Richard W. Westerfield
LLC
Robert & Laure Mineo
Jonathan Bourne
Robert & Lois Moeller
Norm & Mary Jo Bowers Alice E. Moss
Donna Brazulis
Karen Murphy
Arlene Bunis
Vreni Naess*
Martrice Caldwell
Cathy & Paul Newport
Maria K Carrig
Carolyn & Peter Pereira
Judy Chernick
Marianne & Bernard A
Dolores Cross
Phelan
Theodore & Ann Doege
Larry & Judy Pitts
Ron & Judy Eshleman
John & Gail Polles
Maurice Fantus and Judith Jane Ann Prest
A. Aiello Philanthropic Mary Quigg
Fund in honor of Helen Lowell Sachnoff
Gagel
Scott & Brooke Schwarz
Terry Feiertag
Leonard & Lisa Servedio
Dale & Marilyn Fitschen Laura Smith

26

Chicago a cappella

Les & Bev Smulevitz

Geri Sztuk
Cindy Tomei
Dave & Carolyn Utech*
Paul & Sara Vandeberg
Lauren Verdich & Gail
Morse
Janneke & Jeff WaalFowers
Tracy & Tony Weisman
Fred Wellisch & Edie
Canter
Rebecca Wellisch
Virginia Witucke
Robert Wolff
Shawn Ying & Jason
Cohen
Joel & Frances Zemans

Barbara Hofmaier &

David Heim
Mari Jo & David Higgins
Karl & Janice Hobart
Charles Hoffman &
Tamara Schiller
James Hoover
Valerie Humowiecki
Mark & Amy Jarman
Bruce Kuehl & Mary Jane
Cross
Colleen Labozetta
Thomas Lipsmeyer
Karen Maurer
Scott & Kelly McCleary
Robert & Marjorie
McCommon
Daniel Melamed
William Miles
FRIEND ($50 or more)
Sandi & Mike Miller
Anonymous
Belverd & Marian Needles
Paul & Mary Altman
Geraldine L. Oberman &
Janene Bergen & Lori
Eleida M. Gomez
Neblung
Jennifer Lee ONeil
Brad Berlage
Marjorie Pentland
Jennifer Biegel
Raiselle & Kenneth
Sally Birger
Resnick
Frank Brockway &
Jonathan & Joy Rosner
Margaret Lonquist*
Robert Sacks
Richard Brunot
Howard & Roberta Siegel
Dan & Amy Burke
David & Barbara Slivnick
Jennifer Burrus
Trent & Rachel Sparrow
Ioanna & Robert Chaney Gene & Mindy Stein
Julia & Daniel Coyne
Nikki & Fred Stein
Ruth Crippen
Dorothy & Casmir
Henry & Ellen Criz
Szczepaniak
Jeanne Crowe
Bernard Szeszol
Lynn & Jim Denton
Tricia Teater
Lora Drozd
Willard Thomen
Ann Dwyer
William Wallace
Ralph & Jenny Earlandson Eileen & Dirk Walvoord
Jim & Carol Fancher
Robert & Barbara
Norma Felbinger*
Wichmann
Jerry Smith & Dottie
Dimis J. Wyman
Fugiel
Deety & Bruce Winograd
Evelyn Gaudutis
Jo-Ann & Stanley Gaynor *Sustaining donor
Carolyn Hayes

DONORS

c o n t.

IN KIND CONTRIBUTIONS (SINCE JANUARY 1, 2015)

About Face Theater
AV Chicago
Ballroom Dance Chicago
Bella Voce
Big City Swing
Bike and Roll Chicago
Bollywood Groove
Broadway in Chicago
Eric Buchholz
Cheryl Wollin
Chicago Bears
Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Dramatists
Chicago Gay Mens
Chorus
Chicago Modern
Orchestra Project
Chicago Opera Theater
Chicago Shakespeare
Theater
Chicago Sinfonietta
Chicago Sky
Chicago Symphony
Orchestra
Chicago White Sox
Chicago Zoological
Society
City Lit Theater Company
Comedysportz Theater
Copper Art Designs
Corepower
Dailey Method
Dance Spa
Dee Dee Whipple

DePaul Merle Reskin

Theatre
Devon Seafood Grill
Claudia Divis
East Bank Club
Edgewater Fitness Club
Emerald City Theatre
Ensemble Espaol Spanish
Dance Theatre
Evanston Symphony
Orchestra
Fairgrass LLC
Fat Willys BBQ Shack
Field Museum
First Folio Theatre
Five Point Holistic Health
Flavour Cooking School
Fox Valley Repertory
Frank Lloyd Wright Trust
French Pastry School
Jennifer Girard
Harris Theater for Music
and Dance
Ann Hewitt
Hotel Felix
Howl at the Moon
Jane Hush
Joffrey Ballet Chicago
Kingston Mines
Koval Distillery
Jim and Archana LalTabak
Lifeline Theatre
Lou Malnatis

Lyric Opera Chicago

Mara Karzen Jeweler
Designs
Margaret Kachadurian
Marianos
Jennifer Marling
May I Have This Dance
Merit School of Music
Metropolis Performing
Arts Center
Michael Kors
Mindys Hot Chocolate
Miss Motley Photography
Mity Nice
Moksha Yoga Center
Morton Arboretum
Museum of Science and
Industry
Music Institute of Chicago
Music of the Baroque
Music Box Theater
Norbert Shimkus Designs
North Central College
Northlight Theater
Nuns 4 Fun
Entertainment
Old Town School of Folk
Music
Om on the Range
Open Door Theater
Orange Shoe Personal
Fitness
Owen & Engine
Cindy Pardo

Perennial Virant
Porchlight Music Theatre
Press America
Ravinia Festival
Redhead Piano Bar
Remy Bumppo Theatre
Company
Shedd Aquarium
Shiraleah
Sips on Sherman
Six Flags
Sketchbook Brewing Co.
Steep Theater
Ann Stevens
Strawdog Theatre
Company
Swedish American
Museum
Swedish Bakery
Symphony of Oak Park
and River Forest
Target
The Second City
Timeline Theatre
Company
Treasure Island
U of C Presents
Up Comedy Club
Victory Gardens Theater
Barbara Volin
Yogaview Lincoln Park
Zanies Comedy Nite Club

T H A N K YO U
Ellyn Caruso, Caruso PR
Elizabeth Davenport, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
Ken Hannah, Wentz Concert Hall
Bill Hoban
Andrew Gonzalez
Joan Hutchinson and Joycelin Fowler, Pilgrim Congregational Church
Paul Nicholson, St. Clement Church
Fiona Queen, Music Institute of Chicago
John Sherer and Ryan Loeckel, Fourth Presbyterian Church
Carolyn 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.

Holidays a cappella

27

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Chicago a cappella