Dear Chicago a cappella family,
It is a pleasure and a privilege to once again to celebrate the season and the joy of music-making in its midst. I continually marvel at how music can bridge gaps between people. Choral music, in particular, can express our longings, our fears, our hopes—even our dreams.
As the days grow shorter, the nights longer, and the air colder, we instinctively sense our vulnerability. We spend more time indoors; we bring our warm coats and boots out of storage. We seek consolation. We feel gratitude for any provision promising help through the dark season.
This year’s Holidays concert program reflects on warmth: of kitchen, fire, and family embrace; of the tropical sun during festivities in Puerto Rico; and the dusty heat of an Australian Christmas. And it reflects on cold: of snow, ice, and biting wind; of isolation, misfortune, and poverty.
For all of us, life is blessed, and life is hard. Sometimes, we assume we must struggle through the difficult alone. But is this really true? In each of our Holidays performances this season, we will come to know a local service organization connecting with those in our community who could use some help getting through the cold season this year.
We have all heard that it is more blessed to give than to receive. But if no one is prepared to receive, who will experience the blessings of giving? Do we have the kinds of relationships with our neighbors that would even allow them to make their needs known to us? And what about each of us? Have we recognized our own vulnerability, our own needs? Would we consider allowing another to know us so well? The days are short, true enough. But so are the years.
I wish you, and those you love, every good thing this holiday season.
Buy Holidays a cappella tickets