Genius in the Synagogue: A Musical Portrait of Max Janowski Saturday, October 13, 2012, 8:00 pm K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Congregation 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago
Saturday, October 20, 2012, 8:00 pm Nichols Concert Hall 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
Sunday, October 14, 2012, 4:00 pm West Suburban Temple Har Zion 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest
Sunday, October 21, 2012, 4:00 pm Wentz Concert Hall 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
Chicago a cappella Alexia Kruger, Soprano Cari Plachy, Soprano Elizabeth Grizzell, Mezzo-soprano Susan Schober, Mezzo-soprano Klaus Georg, Tenor Trevor Mitchell, Tenor Joe Labozetta, Bass Benjamin Rivera, Bass Brian Streem, Bass Music Director: Jonathan Miller, Founder and Artistic Director
This program was made possible through the generosity of the Klaff Family Foundation Chicago a cappella is partially supported by the Klaff Family Foundation; the MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development; Dr. Scholl Foundation; a CityArts Program 2 grant from the City of Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; the Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Villages of Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest; and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Season sponsors: Hyde Park Bank, The Homestead Hotel, and Merit School of Music. Media sponsors: Chicago Jewish News, JUF News, and The Naperville Sun.
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A B O U T C H I C AG O A C APPE LL A An ensemble of professional singers founded in 1993 by Jonathan Miller, Chicago a cappella presents an annual Chicago-area subscription series, creates studio recordings as well as live and broadcast-media musical content, and gives performances on tour and in special engagements. Long recognized for vocal virtuosity and innovative programming, the ensemble enjoys a reputation as a leader in the choral field. With more than 325 concerts to its credit, Chicago a cappella has produced more than 200 performances on its Chicago-based series. On tour, the group has appeared in 13 American states and in Mexico. The ensemble has been heard frequently on WFMT radio and through broadcasts distributed by American Public Media, including the highlyregarded Performance Today. The ensemble has produced eight CD recordings of music ranging from Renaissance masses to contemporary works.
From its inception, Chicago a cappella has been a champion of living composers. Since 1993 the group has presented more than 100 works in their world, national, or local premiere. Chicago a cappella has commissioned new music from composers such as Joseph Jennings, Chen Yi, Stacy Garrop, Rollo Dilworth, Tania Le贸n, and Ezequiel Vi帽ao. As part of its work to give back to the community, Chicago a cappella has expanded its educational outreach programming. Current programs include an annual Youth Choral Festival, where small ensembles spend a day working directly with our singers and directors, and a High School Internship Program, a unique multifaceted immersion for selected students in the world of both performance and arts administration.
Find us on Facebook for photos, audio clips and more: www.facebook.com/chicagoacappella Read blogs and join the conversation at www.chicagoclassicalmusic.org 2936 N. Southport Ave., 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60657 Phone: (773) 281-7820 | Fax: (773) 435-6453 www.chicagoacappella.org | info@chicagoacappella.org Founder and Artistic Director..................................................................................................Jonathan Miller Executive Director.............................................................................................................. Matthew Greenberg Box Office & Concert Manager........................................................................................................ Deb Hoban Marketing & Operations Coordinator................................................................................Shaina Farwell Education Outreach Coordinator.............................................................................................Susan Schober Intern.................................................................................................................................................Cameron Lacy Board of Directors Claudia Divis Michelle Eppley (Secretary) William K. Flowers Helen C. Gagel Joyce Grenis (President) Howard Hush 2
Chicago a cappella
Murray Kopelow (Vice-President) Leslie Lauderdale Robert B. Linn David Perlman Steven Shaw (Treasurer) Maria T. Suarez
Committee Members Carole Baumgart William Thomas Huyck Yvonne Owens Lisa Scott John Sterling
C H I C AG O A C APPE LL A C D S Available in the lobby: $16 each (includes sales tax) Days of Awe and Rejoicing: Radiant Gems of Jewish Music Our newest release is a treasury of unique and poignant Jewish music, from hallowed chants and High Holiday prayers to luminous, heartfelt works by today’s composers. Highlights include works by Pulitzer Prize-winner Shulamit Ran, Robert Applebaum, Max Janowski and Louis Lewandowski, as well as Stacy Garrop’s joyous “Hava Nagila,” commissioned by Chicago a cappella.
Christmas a cappella A celebration of the holiday season with Christmas songs from around the world
Shall I Compare Thee? Contemporary settings of Shakespeare’s timeless words
Eclectric New works, familiar favorites, pop & jazz. “An overflowing cornucopia of choral delights” (ChicagoTribune)
Holidays a cappella Live Live performances of Christmas spirituals, Chanukah songs and holiday music from around the world
Go Down, Moses A stunning collection of spirituals
Mathurin Forestier: Masses World-premiere recording of breathtaking Renaissance church music
Palestrina: Music for the Christmas Season Brilliant Renaissance polyphony by the Italian master Palestrina Genius in the Synagogue
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L O C AT I O N I N F O R M AT I O N Smoking is prohibited in all venues. Food and beverage are not permitted in the audience seating area. No photography or recording of any kind is permitted. K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Congregation 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago Restrooms and drinking fountain: in the main lobby. West Suburban Temple Har Zion 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest Restrooms and drinking fountain: in the main hallway between main entrance and entrance to Gottlieb Community Hall.
Nichols Concert Hall Music Institute of Chicago 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston Restrooms and drinking fountain: On lower level; take stairs or elevator from lobby. Wentz Concert Hall 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville Restrooms and drinking fountain: in the main lobby.
R E S TAU R A N T S U G G E S T I O N S Show your ticket stub or program book to receive discounts at these area restaurants.
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Chicago
Evanston
Cedar’s Mediterranean Kitchen 1206 E. 53rd St., Hyde Park Hours: Saturday 11:30am - 11:00 pm Sunday 11:30 am - 10:00 pm 15% off
Lulu’s Dim Sum & Then Sum 804 Davis St. (two blocks from Nichols Hall) Hours: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm 15% off (excludes Munch a Brunch and 8 after 8)
Piccolo Mondo 1642 E. 56th St. #1, Hyde Park Hours: Saturday 11:30 am - 9:30 pm Sunday 11:30 am - 8:30 pm 10% off
Prairie Moon 1502 Sherman Ave. Evanston (one block west of Nichols Hall) Fri. & Sat. 4-11pm 15% off
Oak Park/River Forest
Naperville
Winberie’s 151 N. Oak Park Ave. Hours: Sun. 1-9pm 10% off
Catch 35 35 S. Washington St. Hours: Fri. & Sat. 5-10 pm Sun. 4:30-8:30pm 10% off food (not valid with other offers)
Cucina Paradiso 814 North Blvd. Hours: Sunday 5-9:30 pm ½ off wine bottles with purchase of 2 entrees Reservations needed
Quigley’s Irish Pub 43 East. Jefferson Ave. Hours: Sat. until 2 am Sun. until 1 am 20% off food
Maya Del Sol 144 South Oak Park Ave. Hours: Sat. 4-11pm Sun. dinner 4-9pm 10% off
Tango Argentinean Grill 5 W. Jackson Ave. Hours: Sat. until 1 am Sun. dinner 2:30 pm-10pm $10 off purchase of $25 or more
Chicago a cappella
PROGR A M Hariu (Psalm 100)............................................................................ Max Janowski, arr. Jonathan Miller ******* When the Sabbath, Peace Inviting......................................................................................W. A. Mozart, anonymously arranged for the 1914 Union Hymnal (Reform) The Sun Goes Down..............................................................................................................Max Janowski ******* Tsur Yisroeyl..............................................................................................................................Max Janowski Hashkiveynu.............................................................................................................................Max Janowski ******* from the cantata And They Shall Not Learn War Any More: Sh’ma Yisraeyl...................................................................................................................Max Janowski Az Moshiach Vet Kumen......................................................................................................Max Janowski ******* L’cha Dodi..................................................................................................................................Max Janowski Adonai Roi (Psalm 23)....................................................................................Max Janowski, arr. J. Miller ******* Avinu Malkeynu..............................................................................Max Janowski, arr. Patrick Sinozich Yiboneh Hamikdosh................................................................................................... Chassidic folk song, arr. Max Janowski / J. Miller INTERMISSION From Avodath Kodesh (Sacred Service): S’u sh’arim...................................................................................................Max Janowski, arr. J. Miller Sh’ma Koleynu..................................................................................................Max Janowski, arr. J. Miller De ole ark’s a-moverin’.................................................................................Spiritual, arr. Max Janowski ******* May The Words.................................................................................................Max Janowski, arr. J. Miller Esa Eynai (Psalm 121).....................................................................................Max Janowski, arr. J. Miller L’koved Shabes.................................................................................................Max Janowski, arr. J. Miller ******* Sim Shalom........................................................................................................Max Janowski, arr. J. Miller Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the ushers. Unauthorized photography or sound recording of any kind are strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation
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INTRODUCTION This program is intensely personal for me. It springs from my personal relationship with the music—and the personality—of Max Janowski of blessed memory. I first met Max Janowski when I was ten years old, the year I began Sunday school and Hebrew school at KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation in Hyde Park. He was a rumpled, somewhat cranky guy, but everyone loved him; over the years I came to love him too, and not just because he was the first person who ever paid money for me to sing! I was 17 when “Max” (as he is almost exclusively known) hired me for one of his many “satellite” high-holiday choirs. It has been one of the great honors of my life to continue that tradition of worship to this day. As the high-holiday cantor at Congregation Rodfei Zedek, down the street from KAMII, I now lead much the same liturgy that I first experienced as a young bass in 1979—beautiful, almost-all-sung services that last several hours, almost all in Hebrew, simply some of the most wonderful and hearfelt experiences of my entire life. That is a gift to me from Max. ******* Max’s music is a gift to us all. He emigrated here from Berlin (via Japan and New York) in 1938, having taught in Tokyo as his way out of Nazi Germany. He spent a year composing and traveling with a Jewish cantata in 1937, and then he got wind of the composing competition at KAM Temple in Chicago. Max won the competition, the prize for which was the music-director position at the shul! In 1938 he arrived here, and he served that congregation for 53 years until his death in 1991. Along the way, Max self-published more than 150 works of Jewish music, and wrote several hundred more that are still in manuscript form. The work is uniformly terrific. He never compromised quality as a composer; in that sense he was like Beethoven, intensely critical of himself. He was also intensely critical of others, which made him fans as well as some enemies. He was a natural teacher, a charismatic figure, a complete showman, a virtuoso in every sense of the word; it has been said that he would have been another Vladimir Horowitz had Hitler’s rise to power not changed the landscape so severely. ******* Max made his virtuosity look easy. I was happy to have the task of arranging eight of his compostions – originally written for solo, choir, and organ – for the performing forces of Chicago a cappella. That means that I had to do something with the organ part! In most cases I followed the model provided by Patrick Sinozich in his brilliant arrangement of Avinu Malkeynu: Patrick simply put the organ part in a “Choir 2” for the most part. That approach helped me a great deal, though there were still some sticky moments. The most delicious experience of all eight was Sh’ma Koleynu. What a great piece! I have sung it for 33 years in high-holiday services; however, I had never taken it apart and looked at its musical building blocks before. I was required to do this for the arranging process, and I found myself muttering in awe at my desk as I looked at the material that Max had provided. The counterpoint is exemplary, the texture and harmonies glorious, and the feeling spot on. The more I have worked with Max’s music, the more I see it as one of the main models for my own composition. Max was never a slave to fashion; he created his own musical idiom. He was always willing to let the music go to a brand-new place, even if the next 6
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passage was completely at odds with what he had just written, based on the emotional demands of the text. Like a great opera composer working with abrupt changes of events in a libretto, Max would take the meaning of words from the Torah or the Psalms or Prophets—and he would just run with it. If a huge mood change followed, then so be it; the words guided him there. If I can be guided by a similar principle when writing music, I’m pretty sure I’ll be the stronger for it. ******* Many other people have helped to bring us to this day. Cantors Julius Solomon , Miriam Eskenasy, Deborah Bard, Richard Cohn, and of course Cory Winter are among the many in the chazzan community who have championed Max Janowski’s music and who in particular have helped me to understand it better. Thanks to all of the singers, cantors, soloists, rabbis, choristers, congregants, audience members, instrumentalists, financial supporters, and fans who have helped to champion this great music over so many years. I would also like to thank Howard Gilbert, my dear friend and true champion of Janowski’s music and memory; Jayson Rodovsky, editor at Transcontinental Music in New York, who is publishing my new arrangements; and the talented and hard-working singers, staff, and board of Chicago a cappella who have brought this program to life. A hearty L’chayim to you all! –Jonathan Miller Founder and Artistic Director
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NOTES ON THE MUSIC Max Janowski, arr. Jonathan Miller: Hariu This jubilant setting of Psalm 100 has been performed around the world. Its joyous refrain, in a pulsing duple meter, contrasts with the freer, cantorial-style rhythm of the solo sections. Hariu Ladonai kol ha’aretz; ivdu et-Adonai b’simcha; Refrain: Bo’u l’fanav birnanah. D’u ki Adonai Hu Elohim Hu asanu v’lo anachnu, Amo v’tzon marito. Bo’u l’fanav birnanah. Bo’u sh’arav b’todah chatzeyrotav bit’hilah hodu Lo, bar’chu sh’mo; ki tov Adonai l’olam chasdo v’ad dor vador emunato. Bo’u l’fanav birnanah.
Praise the Lord, all the earth; Serve the Lord with gladness; Refrain: Come before God’s presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord, He is God; [it is] He [that] made us, and not we; [we are] his flock and the sheep of his pasture. Come before His presence with singing. Come [into] His gates with thanksgiving [and into] His courts with praise; Give thanks to Him, bless His name; for the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; And his faithfulness unto all generations. Come before His presence with singing.
W. A. Mozart (1757-1791), arr. for the Union Hymnal (Reform), 1914: When the Sabbath, Peace Inviting When Max Janowski arrived in Chicago in 1938, most of what was being sung in Reform synagogues was music that we today might considered “watered down”: instrumental tunes or even Protestant hymns, with (vaguely) Judaic sentiments – and almost all in English. This tune is taken from a famous piano sonata of Mozart, arranged anonymously for four voice parts. The text, dripping with Victorian sentimentality, is attributed to the Talmudic scholar Marcus Jastrow, who emigrated from Prussia to Philadelphia in 1866. When the Sabbath, peace inviting, Fills our hearts with sacred mirth, Then from heaven, soul-delighting, Manna raineth down on earth; Then to song all sorrow yieldeth, Loud to God rings up the strain, Heaven-born devotion wieldeth O’er each soul her sway again.
Here, where worshippers assemble, Where God’s spirit ‘mongst us dwells, Where all lips, rejoicing, tremble And with thanks each bosom swells, Here the dust-born man perceiveth How to conquer fear and woe; Chosen when this earth he leaveth, Endless Sabbath bliss to know. –attrib. to Marcus Jastrow
SEEKING: CHICAGO A CAPPELLA’S RAVING FANS! Put your passion for Chicago a cappella along with your personal savvy and experience to use as a committee or Board member, and help propel Chicago a cappella into its third decade. Each Board member and volunteer brings a unique talent to the organization. If you have a particular expertise, a personal or professional network, and passion and commitment for our organization, we would love to discuss it with you further. Contact Matt Greenberg at (773) 281-7820 or Mgreenberg@chicagoacappella.org. 8
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Max Janowski: The Sun Goes Down This piece is a bit of a mystery. Published in 1948, before Janowski had really hit his stride with melodies inspired by cantorial nussach traditions, it seems to suggest that Janowski was seeking to find a style and what today we might call a “zone” for his composing. The piece was published by Clayton F. Summy, a prominent church-music publisher not known for Jewish composition. To our knowledge, Janowski was not yet working in a church setting, and the piece does not bear the description of any commissioning party. The text can be traced to a setting in The Sabbath School Hymnal (4th ed., Chicago, I. S. Moses, 1897). It seems likely that this hymnal would have been available to Janowski at K.A.M. Temple, providing a text for him to use. Other than this, it bears no particularly Jewish traits. This seems indicative of the extent to which the Jewishness of Reform worship had been assimilated into the wider culture. The sun goes down, the shadows rise, the day of God is near its close; the glowing orb now homeward flies, a gentle breeze foretells repose. Lord, crown our work before the night: in the eve let there be light; in the eve let there be light. While still in clouds the sun delays, let us soar up to heaven; that love may shed its peaceful rays, new hope to our souls, new hope be given. O may the parting hour be bright; in the eve let there be light. And when our sun of life retreats, when evening shadows round us hover, our restless heart no longer beats, and graveward sinks our earthly cover, we shall behold a glorious sight: in the eve let there be light. –Anonymous ******* Max Janowski: Tsur Yisroeyl With this piece from 1958, Janowski hits his stride with his new musical style he was forging. His ongoing relationship with the congregation Beth El Ner Tamid, in Milwaukee, resulted in the commissioning of several important pieces in his catalogue. From the prefatory matter in the published score, it appears that the work may have been created in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Third Jewish Commonwealth (the present-day state of Israel). In any event, the work takes as its central inspiration the traditional cantorial melody from the Sabbath morning service. Listeners familiar with the Bloch Sacred Service will recognize this haunting melody, given here as in the Bloch to a baritone soloist in the role of cantor; Janowski’s treatment is about four times longer, lingering on and repeating the powerful melody and heartfelt words. Somewhat unusually, the musical setting repeats not only the entire text but also the final bracha (blessing) of “Baruch atoh Adonoi,” (Blessed art Thou, O Lord) although only at the work’s conclusion does the choir give the traditional response of “Baruch Hu uvaruch sh’mo” (Blessed be He and blessed be His name). Genius in the Synagogue
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While this work was not formally arranged in a new score for a cappella choir, as many others on this concert have been, the ensemble has worked for months to interpret the original organ part in a way that all of the beautiful original harmonies are preserved. We are retaining the original Ashkenazic pronunciation in this song, as it contributes to the power of evoking the German synagogue tradition from which this melody springs.
Tsur Yisroeyl, kumo b’ezras Yisroeyl Goaleynu Adonoi ts’voos sh’mo, K’dosh Yisroeyl; Boruch Atoh Adonoi, (Boruch Hu uvaruch sh’mo), Goal Yisroeyl. –trad. liturgy Rock of Israel, rise up to help Israel; Our Redeemer, “Lord of Hosts” is God’s name; Holy One of Israel. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, (Blessed be God and blessed be God’s name), Who saved of Israel.
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Max Janowski: Hashkiveynu In the Sabbath evening liturgy comes this beautiful prayer, with one of the loveliest and sweetest image of the divine spreading a canopy of shelter and protection over us humans. Many composers of Jewish music have created their most beautiful works specifically to this text; an analogy from outside Jewish music can be seen the way that composers of high-church music, writing a complete Mass setting, seem to put their best heart and soul into the Agnus Dei. The comforting text gives rise to a soaring yet gentle melody from Janowski at the opening. In the middle, as the prayer mentions the bad things from which we need protection, the music gets louder and more powerful. At the end, when the image of shelter returns, so does the opening melodic material, leading up to the final bracha. This setting, dating from 1959, was dedicated to Cantor Anshel Freeman, who had recently died. Freeman was a towering figure in the Chicago cantorate, and his daughter, the contralto Beatrice Horwitz, became over the years one of the foremost interpreters of Janowski’s works and one of his most trusted musical colleagues. Hashkiveynu Adonai Eloheinu l’shalom, v’ha-amideynu malkeynu l’chayim; Ufros aleynu sukat sh’lomecha, V’tak’neynu b’eitza tova mil’fanecha, V’hoshieynu l’ma-an sh’mecha. V’hageyn ba-adeynu, v’haseyr mey-aleynu, oyeyv, dever, v’cherev, v’ra-av, v’yagon; V’haseyr satan mil’faneynu umey-achareynu, Uv’tzeyl k’nafecha tastireynu – Ki Eyl shom’reynu umatzileynu atah; Ki Eyl melech chanun v’rachum atah. Ushmor tzeyteynu uvo-eynu – l’chayim ulshalom mey-ata v’ad olam. Ufros aleynu sukat shlomecha. Baruch atah Adonai, haporeys sukat shalom aleynu, V’al kol amo Yisraeyl v’al Y’rushalayim. Lay us down to sleep, Lord our God, in peace, raise us to stand up, our King, to life; And spread over us the shelter of Your peace. Set us aright with good counsel from before Your presence, And save us for Your Name’s sake. Shield us, remove from us foe, plague, sword, famine, and woe; And remove spiritual impediment from before us and behind us, And in the shadow of Your wings shelter us – For You are God Who protects and rescues us; For You are God, the Gracious and Compassionate King. Safeguard our going and coming – for life and peace from now to eternity. And spread over us the shelter of Your peace. Blessed are you, God, Who spreads the shelter of peace upon us, Upon all of God’s people Israel and upon Jerusalem.
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Max Janowski: Sh’ma Yisraeyl (from the cantata And They Shall Not Learn War Any More) The year 1963 marked Max Janowski’s 25th anniversary as music director at K.A.M Temple in Chicago. He wrote this cantata for a celebration of his musical leadership. This is some of his most exquisite work, in musical idioms rarely found elsewhere in his output. The first movement is a setting of Psalm 98; the final movement sets Chapters 1-6 from the prophet Micah; and the middle movement, which is the one performed today, is a setting of the “watchword of our faith,” the Sh’ma (Hear, O Israel) and the V’ahavta (“and thou shalt love the Lord thy God…”). Janowski takes a distinctly Middle-Eastern or Sephardic turn with this exquisite melody for the Sh’ma / V’ahavta text. The choir hums underneath in undulating chords, while the aweinspiring soprano solo takes wing. There is even a sultriness to the melody, which although surprising makes the prayer both beautiful and unforgettable. Sh’ma Yisraeyl Adonai Eloheynu Adonai echad. V’ahav’ta eyt Adonai Elohecha b’chol l’vav’cha uv’chol naf’sh’cha uv’chol m’odecha. V’hayu had’varim ha’eyleh asher anochi m’tzav’cha hayom al l’vavecha. V’shinan’tam l’vanecha v’dibar’ta bam b’shiv’t’cha b’veytecha uv’lech’t’cha vaderech uv’shach’b’cha uv’kumecha Uk’shar’tam l’ot al yadecha v’hayu l’totafot beyn eynecha. Uch’tav’tam al m’zuzot beytecha uvish’arecha. –trad. liturgy Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart. And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Max Janowski: Az Moshiach Vet Kumen Of course, Max Janowski was fluent in Yiddish as well as Hebrew, English, and German. It is said by Cantor Cory Winter that Max Janowski was influenced more powerfully by Beatrice Horwitz than by anyone else in the area of Yiddish song. There is a wonderful old recording of “Bea” singing this song, which was published in 1972. The song is full of excitement at the prospect of the coming of the Messiah, when the diligent and sincere lovers of Jewish tradition will sit and study with “our teacher Moses” (“Moishe Rabeynu”) and will sing with King 12
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David (“Dovid Hamelech”). Like many Janowski works, this one follows the text closely with constant changes of mood, dynamics and tempo, to showcase not only the eager anticipation of the choir but the grandeur of the soloists’emotions. Janowski was not above quoting himself musically. In fact, in a striking move, he pulls the “V’ahav’ta” melody from the “Sh’ma Yisraeyl” – the previous piece on our program – and inserts it here, right in the place where the text talks about studying! The audience would have understood implicitly the reference to the following lines about teaching one’s children these words and such. It is a deft move, done with humor and skill. Vos vet zein az Moshiach vet kumen? Vos vet zein? Az Moshiach vet kumen Vet Moishe Rabeynu lernen mit undz. V’ahav’ta eyt Adonai Elohecha b’chol l’vav’cha uv’chol naf’sh’cha uv’chol m’odecha. Az Moshiach vet kumen Vet Moishe Rabeynu lernen mit undz. Ah, vos vet zein? Vos vet zein az Moshiach vet kumen? Az Moshiach vet kumen Vet Dovid Hamelech singen mit undz. Yababa bam… la la la Sosen v’simche simchu na, ah. Az Moshiach vet kumen Vet Dovid Hamelech singen mit undz. Vos vet zein az Moshiach vet kumen? Vet sholem zein in der velt. Tenor solo: Sholom rov al Yisroeyl amcho Tosim l’olom. All: Az Moshiach vet kumen Vet zein sholem in der velt. –compiled by Max Janowski from traditional sources What will be when the Messiah will come? What will be? When the Messiah comes, Moses our Teacher will study with us. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. When the Messiah comes, Moses our Teacher will study with us. Ah, what will be? What will be when the Messiah will come? King David will sing with us. Yababa bam… la la la Let us rejoice with joy and gladness, ah! What will be when the Messiah will come? King David will sing with us. Genius in the Synagogue
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What will be when the Messiah will come? There will be peace in the world. Tenor solo: Great peace to Israel Your people Grant forever. All: When the Messiah comes There will be peace on earth. Max Janowski: L’cha Dodi Friday evening Shabbat services at K.A.M. (and later at K.A.M. Isaiah Israel) were infused with the joy and beauty of this simple refrain. Max would sit at the organ, and one of his talented soloists would intone the L’cha Dodi melody, and the whole congregation would reply with joy to welcome the Sabbath Queen, one of the enduring poetic images in Judaism. This setting, dating from 1957, was sponsored by yet another congregation with which Janowski was associated, Congregation Beth Sholom in the far-south suburb of Park Forest, Illinois. This text has changed over the years in various prayerbooks and local and denominational practices.
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Refrain: L’cha dodi likrat kala P’ney shabat n’kab’la.
Refrain: Come, my beloved, to meet the Bride, Let us welcome the Sabbath presence.
Likrat Shabat l’chu v’neylcha Ki hi m’kor habracha Mey-rosh mikedem n’sucha Sof ma’aseh b’machshava t’chila.
Come, let us go to welcome Shabbat, For it [she] is the source of blessing; From the beginning, from old, she was honored, Last in deed, but first in thought.
Refrain Hit’or’ri, hit’or’ri, Ki va orech kumi ori, Uri, uri shir daberi K’vod Adonai alayich niglah.
Refrain Wake up! Wake up! For your light has come, rise up and shine! Awaken, awaken, proclaim a song; The glory of God has been revealed to you.
Refrain Bo’i v’shalom ateret ba’alah, gam b’simchah uv’tzaholah, toch emunei am s’gulah, bo’i chalah, bo’i chalah.
Refrain Come in peace, crown of your husband; Also enter in gladness and in joy. Come to the people that keeps its faith. Come, bride! Come, bride!
Chicago a cappella
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Max Janowski, arr. Jonathan Miller: Adonai Roi (Psalm 23) Janowski’s setting of Psalm 23 has a sense of the pastoral. Its overwhelming sense is one of calm. The soloist’s melody has some qualities of nussach, but it is so gentle, with undulating motion, that one can easily forget that the tune does have a cantorial sort of flavor. In addition to its gentleness, the key of A-flat major is a bit unusual in Jewish music; Janowski uses it again in Esa Eynai later in our program, there with a more dramatic overall feel. Adonai ro-i, lo echsar. Bin’ot deshe yarbitseyni, Al mey m’nuchot y’nahaleyni, Naf’shi y’shovev, Yan’cheyni b’ma’agley tsedek, L’ma’an sh’mo.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters, He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, For His name’s sake.
Gam ki eylech B’gey tsalmavet, Lo ira ra, Ki Atah imadi. Shiv’t’cha umishan’techa Heymah y’nachamuni.
Yea, though I walk Through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff They comfort me.
Ta’aroch l’fanai shulchan Neged tsor’rai Dishanta vashemen roshi Cosi r’vayah. Ach tov va-chesed Yird’funi kol y’mey chayai V’shav’ti b’veyt Adonai L’orech yamim.
Thou preparest a table before me In the presence of mine enemies, Thou anointest my head with oil, My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy Shall follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Max Janowski, arr. Patrick Sinozich: Avinu Malkeynu If there is one piece by which Max Janowski is known, this is it. Barbra Streisand recorded it for her 1997 album Higher Ground, and it had already been Janowski’s most famous work. The melody is, for many Jews, the tune that most fully represents the Days of Awe, especially Yom Kippur, a day on which the prayer is included in many different services. Patrick Sinozich, music director emeritus of Chicago a cappella, originally created this beautiful setting for the group in 2007 for the first Days of Awe and Rejoicing concerts. Avinu Malkeynu, sh’ma koleynu. Avinu Malkeynu, chatanu l’fanecha. Avinu Malkeynu, chamol aleynu v’al olaleynu v’tapeynu. Avinu Malkeynu, kaley dever v’cherev v’raav meyaleynu. Avinu Malkeynu, kaley chol tsar umastin meyaleynu. Avinu Malkeynu, kotveynu b’seyfer chayim tovim. Avinu Malkeynu, chadeysh aleynu shanah tovah. –Yom Kippur liturgy
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Our Father, our King, hear our voice. Our Father, our King, we have sinned before Thee. Our Father, our King, have mercy upon us and upon our children. Our Father, our King, keep far from our country pestilence, war and famine. Our Father, our King, cause all hate and oppression to vanish from the earth. Our Father, our King, inscribe us for blessing in the book of life. Our Father, our King, grant unto us a year of happiness. For the record: Patrick Sinozich’s arrangement of “Avinu Malkeynu” appears on our CD Days of Awe and Rejoicing. Chassidic folk song, arr. Max Janowski / Jonathan Miller: Yiboneh Hamikdosh Yes, one can have jubilation in a minor key! This Chassidic folk song was originally set for choir and piano by Janowski and published in 1972. The work was picked up by the Chicago Children’s Choir shortly thereafter and was part of the CCC’s tour and concert repertoire for many years. The boisterous piano part has been arranged for choral voices in Jonathan Miller’s setting, and the melody moves around the various voice parts with vigor. Yiboneh hamikdosh; Ir Tziyon t’maley.
Let the Temple be restored; Let the city of Zion be renewed.
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Max Janowski, arr. Jonathan Miller: S’u sha’rim from Avodath Hakodesh Early in his career, Janowski published a small booklet that had an entire setting of the main sung portions of the Reform service, including this charming short piece. The English translation of the text may be familiar to choristers from a movement of Handel’s Messiah. S’u sh’arim rosheychem Us’u pitchey olam, V’yavo melech hakavod. Solo: Mi hu zeh melech hakavod? Tutti: Adonai tz’vaot, Hu melech hakavod. Selah
Lift up your heads, O ye gates, And be lifted up, ye everlasting doors, That the King of Glory may come in Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory. Selah.
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Max Janowski, arr. Jonathan Miller: Sh’ma Koleynu (Hear Our Voice) In his 30th year with K.A.M. Temple, Max Janowski wrote this exquisite work for the High Holidays, on the traditional prayer “Hear Our Voice.” The prayer is part of the Yom Kippur liturgy, and one gets a preview of it during the S’lichot service in Conservative synagogues. This piece has it all: a phenomenal keyboard part (adapted here for choral forces); stunning solo passages; choral writing with the finest in carefully-wrought counterpoint; and, above all, a powerful, personal expression of the text. Sh’ma koleynu, Adonai Eloheynu. Chus v’racheym aleinu, v’kabeyl b’rachamim uv’ratzon et t’filateynu. Hashiveynu Adonai eylecha v’nashuvah; chadeysh yameynu k’kedem
Hear our voice, O Lord our God; spare us, and have mercy upon us, and accept our prayers with compassion and favor, Return us, O God, unto Thee and we will return; Renew our days as of old.
Spiritual, arr. Max Janowski: De ole ark’s a-moverin’ On Sunday mornings, Max Janowski could be found – for decades – at the organ, leading the music in the balcony at All Souls Universalist Fellowship in South Shore. This was a deliberately biracial congregation, founded in the last 1950s to be a place where black and white people could worship openly together and create an ecumenical community. The atmosphere there was welcoming and full of heart, and Janowski led his choir there in everything from Bach to his own compositions to spirituals, pop songs, folk songs, and more. This spiritual was found in his church-music filing cabinet after he died, and it is a wonderful setting of a seldom-heard tune. Max Janowski, arr. Jonathan Miller: May The Words There is a moment at the end of the Amidah – the silent prayer that forms the centerpiece of Jewish worship – where the prayers become more reflective than usual, and this text is found there. In Hebrew, the prayer begins with the words “Yih’yu l’ratzon…” Janowski took the traditional Reform-Jewish translation of this prayer and set it to simple, lovely music, which he would lead from the organ to create a beautiful moment of repose. May the words of my mouth And the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.
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Max Janowski, arr. Jonathan Miller: Esa Eynai (Psalm 121) This is a sort of companion piece to Janowski’s setting of Psalm 23. The pieces are in the same key and have similar feel; however, Esa Eynai goes to more extroverted heights than Adonai Roi. This is generally felt to be one of the composer’s finest efforts. The solo melody is exquisitely written. Composer Bob Applebaum, a favorite of Chicago a cappella’s singers and audiences, says that it was this very piece—which he heard during a worship service— that made him want to write Jewish sacred music. Esa eynai el heharim meyayin yavo ezri Ezri meyim Adonai, osey shamayim vaarets Al yiteyn lamot raglecha al yanum shomrecha Hiney lo yanum v’lo yishan shomeyr Yisraeyl. Adonai shomrecha, Adonai tzilecha al yad y’minecha Yomam hashemesh lo yakeka veyareyach balaila Adonai yishmorecha mikol rah, yishmor et nafshecha Adonai yishmor tseytcha u’voeycha meyatah v’ad olam. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Max Janowski, arr. Jonathan Miller: L’Koved Shabes Jewish wordless melodies are known as niggunim. They are often sung to get a Sabbath service started, much the way Ravi Shankar will slowly ramp up his sitar playing in keeping with the mood of the crowd. This catchy niggun is partly wordless and partly texted, with just enough words to give one the flavor of Shabbat. The syllables not shown below are just “bims” and “bams” and the like. Jonathan Miller has added some harmony to the simple, effective tune. L’koved Shabes, L’koved den heylikn Shabes.
For the glory of Shabbat, For the glory of the holy Sabbath. Genius in the Synagogue
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Max Janowski, arr. Jonathan Miller: Sim Shalom This is probably Song Number Two on the Janowski hit parade, if one might refer to his catalogue in that way. Sim Shalom is a prayer included in, among other places, the Musaf (additional) daytime service on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It helps to form a powerful close to the long, intense worship experience of the Days of Awe. Janowski put his best musical self into this setting, with a beautiful refrain, poignant cantorial solos, and a momentum that keeps driving forward. Refrain: Sim shalom tovah u’vracha Cheyn vachesed v’rachamim aleinu v’al kol yirei sh’mecha. Solo: Barcheynu Avinu kulanu ki echad b’or panecha Ki v’or panecha natata lanu, Adonai Eloheinu Torat chayim v’ahavat chesed, U’tzedaka u’v’racha v’rachamim v’chayim v’shalom. Refrain Solo: V’tov b’eynecha l’vareych et am’cha Yisrael V’et kol ha-amim b’chol eyt u’v’chol sha’ah bishlomecha. Baruch ata Adonai, oseh ha-shalom. Ameyn. Grant peace, goodness and blessing, Grace, lovingkindness and mercy to us and unto all Israel, Your people. Solo: Bless us, our Father, all of us as one with the light of Your face; For by the light of Your face You have given us, Adonai our God, The Torah of life, and love of kindness, and righteousness and blessing and mercy and life and peace; Refrain Solo: And may it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel and all people at all times and in every hour with Your peace. Praised are You, Adonai, who blesses Your people Israel with peace. Ameyn. —Notes by Jonathan Miller 20
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T H A N K YO U Chris Baer Chicago Jewish News: Roberta Chanin Enid Frandzel Bob Heitzinger, Northeastern Illinois University Bill Hoban Tom and Margaret Huyck Hyde Park Herald: Carol Cichocki Emily Jaycox JUF News: Robert Feiger K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Congregation: Tal Rosen Hersch Klaff Joan Levin Merit School of Music: Tom Bracy, Brian O’Malley Music Institute of Chicago: Fiona Queen, Jared Scott North Central College: Ken Hannah Charlotte Podell Patrick Sinozich West Suburban Temple: Carol Serber and Cantor Stewart Figa Cantor Cory Winter 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. Very special thanks
to outgoing board member Linda Mast for her years of dedicated service
C H I C AG O A C A P P E L L A A R T I S T R O S T E R 2 012 -13 Jonathan Miller................................................................................................................... Artistic Director Jorge Córdoba Valencia..............................................................Music Director, Navidad en México William Chin.................................................................................... Music Director, Spirit/Breath/Voice John William Trotter................................... Music Director, The A Cappella American Songbook Klaus Georg.............................................................................................. tenor (Genius; Navidad; Spirit) Matt Greenberg..................................................................................bass (Navidad; Spirit; Songbook) Elizabeth Grizzell.................................................................................................... mezzo (entire season) Garrett Johannsen...........................................................................tenor (Navidad; Spirit; Songbook) Kathryn Kamp..............................................................................soprano (Navidad; Spirit; Songbook) Alexia Kruger................................................................................................... soprano (Genius; Navidad) Joe Labozetta................................................................................... bass (Genius; Navidad; Songbook) Cary Lovett........................................................................................................................ tenor (Songbook) Trevor Mitchell........................................................................................................................ tenor (Genius) Cari Plachy........................................................................................soprano (Genius; Spirit; Songbook) Benjamin Rivera........................................................................................ bass (Genius; Navidad; Spirit) Susan Schober.............................................................................mezzo (Genius; Navidad; Songbook) Brian Streem........................................................................................... bass (Genius; Spirit; Songbook)
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BIOGR APHIES Jonathan Miller, Founder and Artistic Director Since founding Chicago a cappella in 1993, Jonathan Miller has guided the ensemble through more than 130 concerts, seven commercial CD releases, and thirty choral-music demo CDs. His international accolades include the 2008 Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America. His skills at presenting a wide spectrum of music are a combined product of his singer’s ear, scholar’s training, and composer’s temperament. He was fortunate to be exposed at an early age to a wide range of music by a remarkable group of mentors, including Christopher Moore, Lena McLin, Max Janowski, Joseph Brewer, Howard Mayer Brown, Richard Proulx, John Nygro, and Anne Heider. He was a founding member of His Majestie’s Clerkes (now Bella Voce) and for ten years was bass soloist with the Harwood Early Music Ensemble. Eager to learn research tools for repertoire, Jonathan pursued musicology, earning his doctorate at UNC-Chapel Hill while remaining an active performer. Since returning to the Chicago area, Jonathan has expanded his role as a conductor and composer. He has led the volunteer choir at Unity Temple and Heritage Chorale in Oak Park and has served several other choirs as clinician and coach. He has written more than fifty choral works in a variety of genres and languages; his music has been sung at venues including St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the Pentagon. He conducted his piece The Lincoln Memorial at the Lincoln Memorial on the 200th anniversary weekend of Lincoln’s birth. Since 1998, Jonathan has taken a growing leadership role in Chicago-area Jewish music, leading the high-holiday choir and occasional Kabbalat Shabbat services at Congregation Rodfei Zedek in Hyde Park; he now serves there as high-holiday cantor. He is principal guest conductor of Kol Zimrah, the Jewish Community Chorus of Metro Chicago, and holds as a great honor his role as publisher of the late Max Janowski’s 22
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catalogue. Jonathan enjoys the blessings of family and neighbors in the woods of Downers Grove, where he loves helping to maintain two shared vegetable gardens. Matt 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 served as a panelist for the city of Chicago’s CityArts granting program and currently serves on the executive committee for the website ChicagoClassicalMusic.org. Matt has sung with Chicago a cappella since the group’s inception in 1993. He has also 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 Klaus Georg, tenor In his second year with Chicago a cappella, Klaus Georg is an active tenor, conductor, and teacher in the Chicago area. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Voice at Carthage College while pursuing doctoral studies at Northwestern University. Klaus has performed leading tenor roles in Mozart’s Zauberflöte, Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmelites, Loesser’s The Most Happy Fella, and Hoiby’s Summer and Smoke, as well as the tenor solos in Mozart’s Requiem, Händel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Creation, and Brahms’s Zigeunerlieder. Recently, he appeared as the tenor soloist in Mozart’s Requiem at the Music Institute of Chicago and as Chibiabos in Coleridge-Taylor’s Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast in Park Ridge. An accomplished choral
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singer, Klaus sings with the CSO Chorus and Music of the Baroque, and has appeared as a soloist with both groups. He also sings with the Grant Park Music Festival and is chorus director at Beth Emet the Free Synagogue. Elizabeth Grizzell, mezzo Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Grizzell has performed with groups both in Chicago and abroad. She has appeared as soloist with the Tunbridge Wells Opera, the Marlow Choral Society, and the Wooburn Singers of England. As a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, she has recorded the role of Apprentice with the late Sir Georg Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Wagner’s Die Meistersinger. Betsy is also a member of the Grant Park Chorus, and records regularly as a soloist for GIA Publications. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree with a vocal emphasis from DePaul University. This will be Betsy’s 12th
season with Chicago a cappella. She is proud to be programming this year’s All About the Women concert, and she previously programmed the ensemble’s 2009 concert, The Birds and the Bees. Of special note is her Betsy’s MusiKids program, a musical education experience designed for children ages 16 months to 9 years old. Her studio in Naperville introduces more than 100 children each year to the fun and beauty of music. Find her on Facebook at “Betsy’s MusiKids”, or at www.grizzell.com. Alexia Kruger, soprano Alexia Kruger enjoys performing a wide variety of music from the stage to the recital hall. A member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Grant Park Chorus, Alexia has also been a soloist with such groups as the Chicago Chamber Orchestra (J.S. Bach’s Cantata 51), Chicago Sinfonietta at the Shedd and at Joffrey, Mantra Blue Free
“Merit School of Music is one of my favorite places on Earth. I’ve seen its work through visiting there, but also through many of their graduates. What it does is to not let talent escape, because it has the broadest net. At its most lofty level, to its most basic response to the needs of a community, it is such an incredible organization.” —Yo-Yo Ma MERIT NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
Visit www.meritmusic.org to find out how you can make a difference in the lives of Merit students. Joy Faith Knapp Music Center 38 South Peoria Street Chicago, IL 60607
www.meritmusic.org Genius in the Synagogue
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Orchestra, the Valparaiso University Symphony Orchestra (R. Strauss Beim Schlafengehen and Im Abendrot), and the University of Illinois Percussion Ensemble (Stravinsky’s Les Noces). She loves art song as well and has given recitals at such venues as the Chicago Cultural Center, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and several locations with VOX 3. Past roles have included Susanna and Contessa dAlmaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), Giulietta (Les Contes dHoffmann), the title role in Suor Angelica, Lola (Gallantry), and Eve (Children of Eden). She is very excited to sing with Chicago a cappella this season! Joe Labozetta, bass Hailing from Northern California, Joe Labozetta moved to Chicago in 2003 to further his musical studies at DePaul University’s School of Music. After finishing a degree in Sound Recording Technology, he quickly immersed himself into a full-time career as a professional musician. Joe currently holds the position of Director of Music at St. Josaphat Church, where he is kept busy with choirs, pipe organs, handbells and composing hymnody. His local choral activities have included Chicago Symphony Chorus, Grant Park Chorus, Bella Voce, and the William Ferris Chorale. Joe is also an award-winning baritone soloist, notably at the International Choral Kathaumixw in Powell River, B.C., Canada. Additionally, as an accomplished keyboardist, guitarist and bassist, Joe performs in venues other than churches and concert halls. In fact, Labozetta sightings have been reported in dive bars, hotel lounges and almost-but-notyet foreclosed recording studios. Trevor Mitchell, tenor Acclaimed as having “simply the most uniquely beautiful and easily produced tenor instrument most people will ever hear,” Trevór Mitchell’s career has taken him across the U.S. as well as to Austria, Italy, Ukraine, the 24
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United Kingdom. Recently audiences heard him in Bach’s B-Minor Mass, Weihnachts-Oratorium, St. Matthew Passion, and St. John Passion, Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Ninth Symphony, Vivaldi’s Beatus Vir, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, and several recitals, one being a recital for honored guest Paul, Duke of Oldenburg of Germany. Under the baton of the renowned John Rutter, Trevór performed Vaughn Williams’ Serenade to Music. Recent performances also include Messiah with the Baroque Band and Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus. He also recorded Don Meyers’ Meditation in Three Reflections with the Millennium Symphony of Norfolk, VA. Upcoming engagements include Haydn’s Theresienmesse, Mozart’s Requiem, Rossini’s Stabat Mater, a recording of Christmas music and several solo recitals. Cari Plachy, soprano Chicago native 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. 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 is fortunate to bring her love of music to deaf children at Child’s Voice School in Wood Dale. Benjamin Rivera, bass Bass-baritone Benjamin Rivera appears often as a concert and oratorio soloist. Recent appearances include performances of Bach’s St.
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John Passion, several Haydn Masses and a local premiere of a song cycle for baritone and instrumental sextet by Stacy Garrop. He is a longtime member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, where he served in the position of section leader for several seasons. Benjamin also sings with the Grant Park Chorus during the summer. He recently completed his tenth season as conductor of the Chicago-area chamber choir Cantate, with whom he performs a wide range of mainly a cappella music. Benjamin holds the Master of Music degree in Music Theory from Roosevelt University and recently left a teaching position at St. Xavier University to pursue doctoral studies in conducting at Northwestern University. Susan Schober, mezzo Susan Schober is a founding member of Chicago a cappella. A native Chicagoan, she sang for nine years with the Chicago Children’s Choir, and has performed a wide variety of solo and choral music with Chicago-area ensembles. Most recently, she was a soloist at the 23rd International Kodály Festival in Kecskemét, Hungary. In addition to solo and choral music, Susan has performed leading roles in several theatrical productions, including Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Britten’s Albert Herring, Herman’s La Cage Aux Folles, and Sullivan’s Utopia Limited. Susan received her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in Music Education from Holy Names University in Oakland, CA. She is an accomplished music educator, specializing in the Kodály Method. She has taught students at every level, from preschool to graduate level teacher training. Susan loves both singing and teaching, but her favorite job is being a new mom to twins Katherine and Andrew.
Brian Streem, bass A lover of choral music, Brian Streem has been a member of some of Chicago’s finest choral ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Grant Park Symphony Chorus, Bella Voce, the William Ferris Chorale, and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. His theatrical credits have included Pippin (Pippin), Jesus (Jesus Christ Superstar), Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), Jack (Into the Woods), Philip (Lion in Winter) and the star of the one-man show All in the Timing. His recent work with Chicago a cappella was praised by critic Cathryn Wilkinson, who noted that he “pattered out a better maraca ostinato with his mouth than many drummers can with two hands.” Brian is a graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, studying music theory with Dr. Rudy Marcozzi.
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Outstanding Contemporary American Cuisine Excellent Wine Selection | Superior Service Genius in the Synagogue
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SAVE MONEY ON FUTURE CONCERTS Upgrade your single ticket to a flexible subscription, and receive: • Three additional tickets you can use in any combination at this season’s remaining performances • Advance online program notes • Invitations to Behind the Scenes events Upgrades start at just $33 (just deduct your ticket price from the full subscription price). Visit the ticket table in the lobby for an order form! NAVIDAD EN MÉXICO Celebrate Christmas with Mexico’s rich choral heritage, from Renaissance and Baroque music to traditional songs and a new commission. Evanston Saturday, Dec. 1, 8:00 pm Nichols Concert Hall
Chicago Friday, Dec. 7, 8:00 pm Fourth Presbyterian Church
Oak Park Sunday, Dec. 2, 4:00 pm Pilgrim Congregational Church
Naperville Sunday, Dec. 9, 4:00 pm Wentz Concert Hall
SPIRIT/BREATH/VOICE An inspiring concert about generosity, peace, and joy, with music ranging from a Renaissance Mass to Shaker tunes and new works. Chicago Saturday, Feb. 9, 8:00 pm Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
Evanston Friday, Feb. 15, 8:00 pm Nichols Concert Hall
Oak Park Sunday, Feb. 10, 4:00 pm Pilgrim Congregational Church
Naperville Sunday, Feb. 17, 4:00 pm Wentz Concert Hall
THE A CAPPELLA AMERICAN SONGBOOK Charming and witty classics by Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, and others in new a cappella adaptations. Evanston Saturday, April 20, 8:00 pm Nichols Concert Hall
Naperville Friday, April 26, 8:00 pm Wentz Concert Hall
Oak Park Sunday, April 21, 4:00 pm Pilgrim Congregational Church
Chicago Sunday, April 28, 7:30 pm Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
SAVE THE DATE Chicago a cappella presents Sh-Boom: An a cappella evening of doo-wop classics Thursday, May 23, 2013, Salvage One
DONORS We offer our deep gratitude to our contributors who made gifts and pledges to Chicago a cappella between July 1, 2011 and September 19, 2012. 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.
INSTITUTIONAL CONTRIBUTORS FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development Dr. Scholl Foundation The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Klaff Family Foundation The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS Illinois Arts Council City of Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Oak Park Area Arts Council MEDIA SPONSORS Chicago Jewish News (Days of Awe; Genius) JUF News (Genius) Naperville Sun (concerts at Wentz Hall, Naperville)
CORPORATE SUPPORT, MATCHING GIFTS, AND OTHER SUPPORT AT&T Foundation AV Chicago Bank of America First Bank and Trust Evanston Homestead Hotel House Red Vinoteca Hyde Park Bank JP Morgan Chase Foundation Macy’s Foundation North Shore Community Bank
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS UNDERWRITER ($10,000 or more) Estate of Helen Asher Special gift in memory of Florine M. Tippett, by her daughter, Joyce Tippett Grenis Dee Dee Whipple ARCHANGEL ($2,500 or more) Joyce Grenis and Michael Koen Murray Kopelow and Cathy Bachman Howard and Jane Hush Kenneth Schug ANGEL ($1,000 or more) Claudia and Timothy Divis Michelle Eppley Bill and Jeanetta Flowers Helen Gagel Ann Hicks and Lawrence Hamilton Jay and Jackie Lauderdale Leslie Lauderdale Bob and Fleury Linn
LoPrete Family Foundation Alice and David Osberg David and Carole Perlman Priscilla and Steve Shaw Maria Suarez BENEFACTOR ($500 or more) Bonnie Benson Alex and Rosemary Cudzewicz Marina Gilman Tim Goodsell Joan and Guy Gunzberg Hank and Becky Hartman Terri Hemmert Tom and Margaret Huyck Douglas and Christine Kelner Lindy Lauderdale, in honor of Leslie Lauderdale Ronna Lerner In recognition of educational outreach programs Linda Mast and Bard Schatzman Mary Miller Nora Bergman Fund
Ken Novak Carolyn Sacksteder Lisa Scott Susan and Jason Schober Bette Sikes and Joan Pederson Sallie and Mark Smylie Ann Stevens Frank Villella Joanne Whitmore Duain Wolfe SPONSOR ($250 or more) Anonymous Robert Alpaugh and Rob Waters in honor of Joan Gunzberg Barbara and Harvey Dershin Five K. Family Fund at The Chicago Community Trust Sanford Greenberg and Betsy Perdue Sandra Gold Don and Joanna Gwinn Anne Heider and Steve Warner Charles Katzenmeyer Dan and Cari Levin Genius in the Synagogue
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Chicago a cappella Youth Programs Chicago a cappella’s Educational Outreach programs aim to serve singers and students of all ages and levels of experience, promoting and improving the lifelong performance, understanding, and appreciation of a cappella vocal music.
Current programs include: • The Youth Choral Festival, a day of workshops, singing, and performing for area high school ensembles. The students work with Chicago a cappella’s artists, and the festival culminates in a concert featuring all the groups and Chicago a cappella. The second annual Youth Choral Festival will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013, at First Unitarian Church in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, with the concert finale at Rockefeller Chapel. • High School Internship Program, a unique and innovative program giving talented high school students access to professional musicians, directors and arts administrators in a broad range of settings. In 2012-13 eight talented and motivated students are serving as Chicago a cappella High School Interns, gaining skills gaining skills to further their musical ambitions, including how to rehearse collaboratively, how to sing at a high level in a small a cappella ensemble, and how such activities are supported behind the scene by a nonprofit organization.
How you can be involved: • Help us identify corporate and business partners to support these projects. • Spread the word to schools and community organizations who may be interested in working with us. • Use the envelope in this program to make your own gift today! Your contribution will not only support our education programming. It will also nourish innovative new concerts and world-class CD recordings, and help establish an ever-stronger financial base for our future. For more information about our education programs, contact Susan Schober at sschober@chicagoacappella.org. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Matt Greenberg at mgreenberg@chicagoacappella.org or 773-281-7820.
DONORS
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Jim and Lois Hobart Sandi and Mike Miller Robert and Lois Moeller Vreni Naess Drs. Donald and Mary Ellen Newsom Camilla Nielsen Dale and Donna Prest Marlene Richman Tom and Linda Spring Heather Steans Geri Sztuk Lance and Stephanie Wilkening PATRON ($100 or more) Tom Andrews Wendy Anker and Edward Reed Susan Beal Vivian Beckford Norm and Mary Jo Bowers Ioanna and Robert Chaney Judy Chernick Ed and Barbara Collins in honor of John Vorrasi Laura and Gary Cooper Rosemary Corrigan Susan Eleuterio Ron & Judy Eshleman Anne Evans Jerry and Sue Falcon Sherry and Richard Frenzel in honor of Joan Gunzberg Howard and Judy Gilbert Marvin and Muriel Glick Edmund Gronkiewicz Judith Grubner and Craig Jobson Margo Lynn Hablutzel Robert Harris Ann Hewitt Munn and Bonnie Heydorn Troy Huber Jean and Lester Hunt Michael and Kathleen Johnston Dr. Perry and Elena Kamel Susan Kamp Rae Kendrick
John and Karen Kruger Helen and John Lauderdale Barbara and Martin Letscher Joan Levin Jay Lytle Mary and Steven Magnani Jennifer Marling Kristi McGonagle-French and Paul French Cheryl and Tom McRoberts Glenn and Sandy Meade Andrew Micheli Jonathan Miller and Sandra Siegel Miller Nancy Mulcahu in honor of John Vorrasi Cathy and Paul Newport John and Vicky Pickett Larry and Judy Pitts John and Gail Polles Jane Ann Prest Doris Roskin Penelope Sachs in honor of Joan Gunzberg Jennifer and Warren Schultz Laura Smith Julius and Alice Solomon Jeni and David Spinney in honor of Bob and Fleury Linn Eileen Sutter Kris Swanson David and Mari Terman Dave and Carolyn Utech Barbara Volin John Vorrasi In memory of Dr. Joan M. Ferris Gary and Beth Wainer Shirlene Ward and Kevin Kipp Bob and Sue Wieseneck Virginia Witucke FRIEND ($50 or more) Anonymous David and Patricia Agnew Gary Agrest Diane Altkorn Frank Brockway and Mimi Brile
Rona and Ralph Brown in honor of Ronna Lerner Arlene Bunis Ruth Crippen Deb Cullen Bernhard and Roslyn Ebstein in honor of John Vorrasi Jane and Joel Erkenswick Norma Felbinger Gail Schaefer Fu Valerie and Stephen Garry Evelyn Gaudutis Carolyn Hayes Andy and Junia Hedberg Kathleen Higgins Charles Hoffman and Tamara Schiller Valerie Humowiecki John and Martha Jurecko Linda Kaplan Lorraine Kaplan Ivan and Jasna Lappin Carol Lounsbury Elene Cafasso Mahnken in honor of Michelle Eppley Scott and Kelly McCleary Patrice Michaels and Jim Ginsburg Carol Mullins Belverd and Marian Needles Richard and Cindy Pardo Shirley Ronan Dennis and Patricia Smith Barbara Steffensen in honor of Dan McDaniel Gene and Mindy Stein Terrill L. Stumpf Juan J. Suarez Bernard Szeszol Nancy Ellen Tauchman The Rembrandt Chamber Players, Inc. William Wallace John Washburn Robert and Barbara Wichmann Scott Williamson Robert Wolff Genius in the Synagogue
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Chicago a cappella
DONORS
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SUSTAINING DONORS By joining our Sustaining Donor program, the following individuals support the work of Chicago a cappella while reducing our fundraising costs and saving resources. Sustaining donors choose the level and frequency of their automatic payment, and receive the benefits of annual tax deductions without the hassle of writing checks. For more information, see the envelope in this program, visit our website, or call (773) 281-7820. A huge thank you to our Sustaining Donors: Susan Beal Frank Brockway Norma Felbinger Patrice Michaels and Jim Ginsburg Sanford Greenberg & Betsy Perdue Ann Hewitt
Jean & Lester Hunt Tom and Margaret Huyck Doug & Christine Kelner Vreni Naess Donald & Mary Ellen Newsom Ken Novak Alice & David Osberg David & Carole Perlman
Carolyn Sacksteder Warren & Jennifer Schultz Tom & Linda Spring Ann Stevens David & Carolyn Utech Frank Villella Shirlene Ward & Kevin Kipp
I N - K I N D C O N T R I B U T I O N S ( S I N C E JA N UA R Y 1, 2 012 ) 93.1 WXRT About Face Theatre Adler Planetarium The Ambassador Hotel Arlington Park AV Chicago Avanti Skin Center ofChicago Bella Voce Blue Man Group – Chicago Hoss Brock Cambridge Suites Hotel Toronto Cedille Records Chicago Architecture Foundation Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Botanic Garden Chicago Chamber Musicians Chicago Dramatists Chicago Filmmakers Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus Chicago History Museum Chicago Human Rhythm Project Chicago Opera Theater Chicago Shakespeare Theater Chicago Sinfonietta Chicago Sky Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chicago Zoological Society City Lit Theater Company The Comedy Sportz Theatre Court Theatre DePaul Merle Reskin Theatre Devon Seafood Grill The Dance Center of Columbia College East Bank Club Eclipse Theatre Company Emerald City Theatre Enerpace, Inc. Executive and Personal Coaching
Facets/Facets Children’s Programs Norma Felbinger Fox Valley Repertory The French Pastry School Fulcrum Point New Music Project Gabriel’s Restaurant Gene Siskel Film Center Gethsemane Garden Center Jennifer Girard Goodman Theatre Grant Park Music Festival Gymboree Corporation Harris Theater for Music and Dance Hedwig Dances Terri Hemmert Munn Heydorn Homestead Hotel Hotel Felix House Red Howl at the Moon J&L Catering Jaks Tap Restaurant and Bar Brian Jordan, Chicago White Sox Kingston Mines Leslie Lauderdale Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago The Leigh Gallery Dan Lerner, Crosstown Productions Lifeline Theatre Light Opera Works Lulu’s Restaurant Mamma Mia! Broadway Marriott Lincolnshire Medieval Times
Metropolis Performing Arts Center Michael Kors The Morton Arboretum Museum of Science and Industry Music Box Theatre Music of the Baroque Next Theatre Company Northeastern Illinois University Northlight Theatre Oak Park Festival Theatre Orion Ensemble Porter Airlines Ravinia Festival The Redhead Piano Bar Shedd Aquarium Norbert Shimkus Shiraleah Shure Skylight Music Theatre Southwest Airlines Swedish American Museum Brian Streem Lindsay Streem Maria Suarez Swedish Bakery TimeLine Theatre Company Trader Joes TRU Twisted Lizard Urban Oasis Victory Gardens Theater The William Ferris Chorale Winestyles in downtown Evanston Cheryl Wollin Writers’ Theatre Zanies Comedy Nite Club Genius in the Synagogue
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HAMLET BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL HALBERSTAM
BEGINS SEPTEMBER 4
PERFORMED AT 325 TUDOR COURT, GLENCOE
Featuring KAREEM BANDEALY*, MICHAEL CANAVAN*, SHANNON COCHRAN*, BILLY FENDERSON, WITOLD HUZIOR, TIMOTHY EDWARD KANE*, ROSS LEHMAN*, LIESEL MATTHEWS*, JULIAN PARKER, SCOTT PARKINSON* AND LARRY YANDO* *Denotes Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers
FOR TICKETS: 847-242-6000 | writerstheatre.org 2012/13 Season Sponsor
Corporate Sponsor Partner