Concert Chorale celebrates silver anniversary
October 5th, 2005 in the Oak LeavesBy: Myrna Petlicki
After 25 years, the Oak Park Concert Chorale still has plenty to sing about and legions of fans ready to listen. A silver anniversary celebration will be held Oct. 14 at the Carleton of Oak Park. It's one of a quartet of events planned for the season.
Paul Lindblad has been the conductor of the a cappella choir since 2001, and with the group since the beginning. Singer Lynn Zamora's history with the group goes back as far.
Before becoming director, Lindblad served as assistant director, then associate director. Prior to that, he sang with the group.
"The chorale has its roots in the Oak Park River Forest Civic Symphony Chorus, which sang with the Oak Park Symphony one concert a year," Lindblad said. They also did two European tours; following the second tour the chorale incorporated as a separate group led by Victor G. Hildner, who served as conductor until his death in 2001.
From the beginning
Oak Park native and resident Zamora has sung with the chorale during its entire history. She likes "the diversity and the music -- what we sing, as well as its difficulty and how it challenges my skills."
Zamora sang in the girls' chorus at Oak Park River Forest High School and with a jazz ensemble at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. She also has sung in her church choir, but has had no formal vocal training.
Zamora returned to the choir a little over a year ago after serving in Iraq with the Army National Guard out of Iowa, as a truck mechanic and fuel handler. She liked "meeting different people, being in a different situation, being seated in such a highly Christian area -- we weren't far from Babylon." She also enjoyed "working with the nationals, them trying to teach me Arabic and laughing at my pronunciation." Although she didn't sing during that time, Zamora said that didn't affect her skills.
Making his Marks
Reminiscing about highlights of the chorale's history, Lindblad fondly recalled singing at St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice. "We sang a double-choir piece written by one of the choir directors from St. Mark's in the original balconies," he said.
Zamora noted that every venue in which the group has performed is special "because they each have their own unique sound."
There are currently 29 voices in the group, with new members chosen by audition.
Lindblad is dedicating the 25th season to "Innovations in Song."
"Many of the things we have done have been innovative," he explained. "We've commissioned a number of works in our history. This year, rather than commissioning a five-movement, double choir piece, which we've done in the past, we've commissioned a set of Christmas carols -- each to be written by a different composer."
Spring caroling
These will be performed at a holiday concert in November and at the spring concert.
Also innovative is the fact the chorale presented poly-choral Baroque festivals long before any other area group. In addition, it fosters music experiences for children by performing with children's choruses, including the Lindblad Choristers. They also mentor young people -- currently organist Andrew Schaeffer.
Lindblad believes the chorale has flourished because "everybody in the group has a love for a cappella choral literature. It may sound corny, but it really is a large family and they work hard together."
Oak Park Concert Chorale's 2005-2006 season:
"25th Anniversary Celebration Banquet"
7:30 p.m. Oct. 14
The Carleton of Oak Park, 1110 Pleasant St., Oak Park
$60
"A Tapestry of Carols"
4 p.m., Nov. 20
St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave., Forest Park
$15, $10 seniors and students
"Spring Concert"
7 p.m., April 1
Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park
$15, $10 seniors and students
"25th Anniversary Concert with Reception and Alumni Reunion"
7 p.m. April 22
Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 W. Division St., River Forest
Price TBD
(708) 383-4742 or http://www.oakparkconcertchorale.org/