Chorale performs carols with a twist
November 14th, 2007 in the Oak LeavesBy: ELIZABETH MACIK, Contributor
Oak Park Concert Chorale members take pride in setting themselves apart. "We specialize in a cappella music, singing without musical accompaniment, and that's not something many choruses can say," says director Paul Lindblad. As part of their mission, members also promote music education within the chorus and for the community at large. "We take pride in our musicianship and in addition to weekly rehearsals we offer our members extra ear and technique classes to help make them better musicians," says Lindblad.
Focusing on music with a classical background and style, the chorale selects pieces that appeal to people who enjoy choral music and to those who are new to the style. "As our skill level increases we are able to tackle pieces that aren't performed very often due to their difficulty," says Lindblad. "We are always looking for new members, especially tenors and basses."
Year in the making
Comprised of 35 members, the chorale performs two concerts a year, a Christmas concert and a spring concert. The chorale takes all year to prepare for their two shows, memorizing the majority of the pieces. "This allows us to get to know the piece intimately and interpret the music in a personal way," says Lindblad.
Other musical groups have even adopted the chorale's schedule and approach. "Going deeper into the music takes us out of the mold of a normal choir and other groups are seeing that," says Lindblad. "And pieces we've commissioned have been published and performed by other organizations."
Local composers
This season's holiday show, "Gloria! A Christmas Concert" will be comprised of a bit of the old and a bit of the new with commissioned works, Christmas carols with a twist and classic church hymns. Featuring Vivaldi's "Gloria," the concert also will include pieces by Oak Park residents Paul Bouman and Jill Baumgartner and Maywood residents Carl Schalk and Richard Hillert. "We've chosen popular baroque Christmas pieces, commissioned compositions specifically created for the choir and unearthed jewels from lesser known composers that will appeal to the audience," says Lindblad.
'GLORIA! A CHRISTMAS CONCERT'
By the Oak Park Concert Chorale at 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave, Forest Park. Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors and students. Call (708) 383-4742 or visit www.oakparkconcertchorale.org.