Chicago Chamber Choir Opens 20th Anniversary Season
New Artistic Director Doreen Rao Leads Concert Celebrating Indigenous, Contemporary North American Music
CHICAGO, Oct. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Chamber Choir begins its 20th Anniversary Season, Around the World in the "Most American City", on October 24 and 25 with From Canada to Chicago, a concert featuring contemporary choral music of North America inspired by the natural world and indigenous cultures. From Canada to Chicago is the first concert of a multi-year exploration of the diverse cultural heritage represented in Chicago's distinctive neighborhoods.
"Chicago was founded with the immigration of explorers from what we today call Quebec," said Doreen Rao, who makes her official debut as the Chicago Chamber Choir's Artistic Director this season.
"Chicago was the homeland of many of America's First Nations – the Pottawattamie, the Sioux and the Iroquois. So we begin our 20th season with sounds of the natural world, songs inspired by First Nation chants and the American landscape. We also introduce the music of Canada to Chicago audiences."
Celebrated internationally for her moving concerts and inspirational teaching, Rao is committed to global programming, intergenerational performance and innovative collaborations. For this concert, she will lead the Chicago Chamber Choir in masterworks by R. Murray Schafer, Stephen Hatfield, Imant Raminsh, and Srul Irving Glick, among others.
Tickets for the 2015-16 season, including student and group rates, are available now at www.ChicagoChamberChoir.org
FROM CANADA TO CHICAGO
Saturday, October 24, 7:30pm
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
1509 Ridge Ave., Evanston
Sunday, October 25, 3:00pm
Chicago Sinai Congregation
15 W. Delaware Place, Chicago (Gold Coast)
PRESS REVIEW TICKETS, PHOTOS, INTERVIEW REQUESTS:
Contact Virginia Mann at 312-420-3344 or [email protected]
ABOUT DOREEN RAO:
Rao's pioneering career began in Chicago as Music Director of the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus and Assistant Conductor to Margaret Hillis and the Chicago Symphony Chorus. She returns to Chicago from Canada where she served as Director of Choral Programs and the Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting at the University of Toronto. Praised for her "significant and lasting contribution to the cause of American music" and "commitment to choral excellence", Rao's ambitious plans for the Choir's future include an increased focus on the music of Chicago composers and collaborative performances with the area's many youth music ensembles.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO CHAMBER CHOIR:
Founded in 1996, The Chicago Chamber Choir is a skilled choral ensemble of 40 voices under the dynamic and enterprising leadership of Artistic Director Doreen Rao. As a choir of inspired and committed musical citizens, The Chicago Chamber Choir sings to serve the hearts and minds of our choral friends, families and Chicago neighbors. The Choir's repertoire is culturally diverse and international in scope, featuring a balance of sacred and secular works, including time-honored classics as well as contemporary selections. The Choir actively seeks performance venues that bring music to individuals who have the tendency to be overlooked by the performing arts community. In addition to providing seasonal concerts and outreach programs, The Chicago Chamber Choir is available for hire for weddings and other special events.
SOURCE The Chicago Chamber Choir
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