Songs of Ourselves
Saturday, March 8 at 7:30pm
First United Church of Oak Park
848 Lake Street, Oak Park
Sunday, March 9 at 4:00pm
St. Josaphat Catholic Church
2311 N. Southport, Chicago
City Voices returns with Songs of Ourselves, a kaleidoscopic portrait of America through its rich legacy of choral music, from colonial era works to African American spirituals to reinterpreted classics by contemporary stars. “America’s choral tradition comes from so many different sources,” says Chin. “This program blends languages, faiths, and forms of cultural expression – like America itself.”
The concert showcases dynamic resettings of texts that the audience will likely know well. For “America the Beautiful,” Shawn Kirchner sets the classic lyric against bold new harmonies, offering a fresh experience of one of the nation’s most meaningful and beloved texts. Kirchner also includes newly written stanzas that acknowledge the country’s darkest periods, while expressing hope for the future. Bobby McFerrin’s meditative setting of “The 23rd Psalm” reshapes the prayer in honor of his mother. And Edwin London bends J.S. Bach’s “Come, Sweet Death” into a listening experience that conjures the great beyond.
The line-up also features musical portraits of the American landscape, captured at a specific moment in time. Henry Clay Work’s “Crossing the Grand Sierras” evokes the transcontinental railroad in the mid-1800s. “The Circus Band” by Charles Ives recreates a parade through town. Instead of showcasing the composer’s more typical dissonant mode, the work is jovial and jubilant. “He’s drawing from his childhood,” says Chin, “and capturing a particular period of American history.”
Audiences will also hear a variety of pieces from the African American spiritual canon, including Moses Hogan’s setting of “I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit” and Ysaye Barnwell’s “Spiritual Quodlibet.” Contemporary composer Adrian Dunn riffs on the form with the stunning “Bells,” a powerful reimagining of the traditional “Rockin’ Jerusalem,” in tribute to Tamir Rice.
Other featured works include selections from Morten Lauridsen’s “Les Chansons des Roses” and Rosephanye Powell’s “The Word Was God,” as well as the familiar favorites “Shenandoah” arranged by James Erb and the pop song “Sunny” written by Bobby Hebb and arranged by Kirby Shaw. From a cappella shape-note singing to accompanied classical performance, the concert will blend the virtuosic and the accessible for an exciting listening experience.
Chicago pianist Bobby Nguyen will join City Voices for these performances.
ABOUT CITY VOICES
City Voices is one of the most versatile chamber choruses in the Chicago area. Founded in Oak Park in 2009, it has built a strong reputation as a welcoming group of experienced nonprofessional singers committed to high-quality performances. City Voices explores challenging, eclectic, and inspiring music from across the globe. The ensemble prepares a carefully curated repertoire each season and shares the beauty of that music in a series of public performances.
ABOUT WILLIAM CHIN
Director William Chin is a leading figure in the Chicago choral scene. He is founder and artistic director of The Oriana Singers, an international-prize-winning vocal ensemble, and is active as a conductor in the Chicago area. Mr. Chin’s past positions have included Assistant Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Artistic Director of Chicago Children’s Choir (now Uniting Voices Chicago), and Artistic Director of Pro Musica Youth Chorus.