CHICAGO — Chicago a cappella announces its 29th season, showcasing something for all musical tastes: sacred music, pop, choral classics, jazz, new contemporary works, musical theater, and more!
With great excitement for the upcoming season, Artistic Director John William Trotter and Executive Director Matt Greenberg are announcing the concert lineup for the 2022-2023 season. It promises to continue the group’s mission of showcasing both traditional and contemporary musical styles, performed with outstanding technical skill and artistic originality.
Highlights include a full-length concert for Hanukkah, a new commission by acclaimed young composer Sarai Hillman, two new works by winners of Chicago a cappella’s HerVoice competition, and a program of American Songbook standards that returns a decade after its first performances. Chicago a cappella will perform at nine venues across the Chicago area, including their debut at two of Chicago’s finest concert halls. The group will appear at Allen Recital Hall in DePaul University’s Holtschneider Performance Center on March 3, and at downtown Chicago’s Ganz Hall on April 22.
2022-23 Season:
Holidays a cappella
Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, at 4:00 pm| Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park
Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, at 8:00 pm | Fourth Presbyterian Church, 115 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago
Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at 8:00 pm| Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville Sunday,
Dec. 18, 2022, at 4:00 pm | Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
Hanukkah a cappella
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at 8:00 pm| Congregation Rodfei Zedek, 5200 S Hyde Park, Chicago
Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, at 4:00 pm | Congregation Sukkat Shalom, 1001 Central Ave., Wilmette
From Behind Closed Doors
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at 8:00 pm | Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, at 4:00 pm | Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at 7:30 pm | Allen Recital Hall, 2330 N. Halsted St., Chicago*
*Tickets for this venue must be purchased directly through the Holtschneider Performance Center Box Office. For tickets, phone 773.325.5200 (Tuesday – Saturday 10AM – 3PM) or email musicboxoffice@depaul.edu.
Sunday, Mar. 5, 2023, at 4:00 pm| Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest
American Songbook
Saturday, Apr. 22, 2023, at 8:00 pm | Ganz Hall, 425 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago
Sunday, Apr. 23, 2023, at 4:00 pm | Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
Friday, Apr. 28, 2023, 8:00 pm | Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
Sunday, Apr. 30, 2023, at 4:00 pm | Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park
Virtual Options
Each of Chicago a cappella’s live concert programs will have a corresponding on-demand full concert replay, available within two weeks of the final performance. All-Access and Virtual members will receive free access to these, available to watch any time before June 30, 2023. Live and Flex members may exchange their live concert tickets for access to the replay or may use their 25% discount to add the replay access to their order.
Concert Details
The upcoming season will begin with Holidays a cappella, with program creation and music direction by Chicago a cappella veteran Benjamin Rivera. This program of soaring sacred music and lesser-known holiday songs will give you a relaxing escape from the Christmas radio station and will lift you into the clouds with the ensemble’s beautifully blended voices and golden harmonies. But don’t worry, they’ll bring you back to earth with a few classics that will make you want to sing along!
As part of the December holiday treats, Chicago a cappella will introduce Hannukah a cappella with music direction by Artistic Director John William Trotter. This program of music for Hanukkah will dig deeper than the “Dreidel Song,” unveiling the traditions and richer meaning of the festival. The group will feature stellar works by eight living composers—from heartfelt prayers to jazzy and playful holiday tunes— showcasing the creativity and vitality of American Jewish culture .
Fast forward to February 2023, when Chicago a cappella introduces From Behind Closed Doors a program created by John William Trotter. Inspired by how much of our lives happens behind closed doors, especially the creation of music, this program asks, “How much of the world’s music do you think has actually been seen or heard?” Let them surprise you with fascinating music you don’t know yet, alongside works initially hidden that were later recognized as masterpieces. Whether these pieces were held back unjustly by self-doubt, societal norms, or lack of resources, Chicago a cappella will open the doors for these works. The concert also features two new works from winners of Chicago a cappella’s HerVoice Emerging Women Composers Competition, plus a new piece commissioned from one of HerVoice inaugural winners, Sarai Hillman, answering the Chicago Tribune’s plea for “More from this prodigious talent soon, please.”
To wrap up the season and to kick off spring, Chicago a cappella will be revitalizing a long-loved program. Come fly with them back to the golden age of the classic musical and legendary vocalists like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, where you’ll melt into the romance and nostalgia of the Great American Songbook. Swept off your feet by witty tunes of Gershwin, Porter, Kern, and Rodgers & Hammerstein, you’ll come to see why some call this “America’s classical music.” This concert marks the 10-year anniversary of John William Trotter’s first appearance as Guest Music Director.
Season memberships and single tickets are now on sale. There are four available membership packages:
• All Access Membership (best deal/most perks)
• Live Concert Membership (enjoy all of the live concerts)
• Virtual Membership (access to virtual content and more)
• Flex Membership (most flexible)
Memberships and tickets can be purchased online at www.chicagoacappella.org/tickets. For more information, please visit www.chicagoacappella.org or call (773) 281-7820.