Mingling with the rumble of traffic, the ringing of cellphones, and the pitter-patter of pedestrians, anyone walking in the business districts will hear the unmistakable signal that it’s December: The thin chiming of bells from the Salvation Army’s annual network of charity kettles. Those bells awaken a multitude of senses-the sense that winter is cold and dark with people in great need of bare necessities, the sense that our streets are teeming with shoppers, and the sense that this is a season like no other for music. Here’s a sampling of musical offerings to celebrate December and, at several events, a chance to help those less fortunate:
Holidays a cappella
The lively nine-member singing ensemble, Chicago a cappella, directed by Jonathan Miller, continues its subscription series with an imaginative selection of carols from Iceland, Venezuela, and other shores in the cozy setting of Pilgrim Congregational Church. Miller researched and will direct the show, with works by some of this generation’s best choral composers, including Stephen Paulus, Gwyneth Walker, and Moses Hogan’s new words to “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” Miller’s other eclectic findings include what he calls “some pretty remarkable stuff”-the local premiere of a version of the “Huron Carol” in the Mi’qmaq language from eastern Canada. Children will love the close harmonies of a Nigerian carol with a tongue-tying Igbo text. For a taste of past repertoire, check out Holidays A Cappella Live (Centaur Records). Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. $22-35.
Winter’s solstice
Welcome, longer days! Grammy-winning saxophonist Paul Winter and the Paul Winter Consort celebrate the returning of the sun with musical expressions interwoven from world music and folk, classical, and jazz. Hear it in Lund Auditorium on the Dominican University campus before Winter takes the spectacle to New York City for the 26th annual winter solstice celebration at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, broadcast on NPR. The Dominican concert is Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. $35.
A Viennese Christmas
Artistic director Carl Occhipinti at Village Players Theatre promises, “You won’t be sorry!” Enamored with the singing of award-winning lyric soprano Christine Steyer, VPT decided to offer something new and different on the holiday scene this year. Taking inspiration from popular theatre music associated with turn-of-the-century Vienna, Steyer and her opera-singing friends have cooked up an entertaining evening set in an Austrian parlor. Costuming, decorations, and story-telling will complement music of Johann Strauss, Franz Lehar, and American carols. Janene Bergen, Todd Kowallis, and Robert Swan join voices with Steyer, who promises surprises for the kids and a chance to meet the performers afterwards. Friday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. $25-30.
Holiday brass and choral concert
Save the drive downtown to hear Music of the Baroque’s time-tested program of Latin motets, carols, and Renaissance brass favorites. Chorus Director Edward Zelnis, in his fifth year directing this annual concert, has chosen works to show off the inspiring acoustics of Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest. Twenty-six of the Chicago area’s top singers will also perform Buxtehude’s cantata, “The New-born Child,” and little-known Russian and Polish works, accompanied by a double brass quartet with bells to boot. Music of the Baroque’s top holiday hits can be heard on their new CD, O Be Joyful. Thursday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m. $35-60.
Lessons and Carols
Following the generations-old tradition of Bible readings and music from Oxford, England, nearly 100 singers and instrumentalists will present a service of Advent lessons and carols at The Chapel of Our Lord on the Concordia University campus. Mixed in with standard carols by John Rutter and Benjamin Britten will be works for handbells, chamber orchestra, and a double-choir motet-the 18th-century version of “surround-sound.” New to this program will be the ethereal “O Magnum Mysterium” by Peter Maxwell Davies. The service will close in the glow of candlelight with Charles Brown conducting “Noel,” a favorite by professor emeritus Carl Schalk. Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 3, 4 at 7 p.m. An offering will benefit the Concordia University music department.
Sing We Joyous!*
Altogether now: fa la la! Adults, children, steel drums, candlelight procession, shining stars, raffle, sing-along, saxophones, and silent auction will convene at First United Church of Oak Park. Hear a new twist on the old “12 Days of Christmas” and tunes from A Charlie Brown Christmas, performed by the Oriana Singers, a six-member professional vocal ensemble directed by William Chin, and members of the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, directed by Emily Ellsworth. Raffle proceeds will benefit the Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry. Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. $9-14; $29 for families.
*Full disclosure: The author will be performing in this concert.
Sing it yourself!
If hearing others sing inspires you to warm up your own vocal cords, come to First United Methodist Church (Oak Park Avenue & Superior Street) for the longstanding Sing-Along of the Christmas portion of G. F. Handel’s oratorio Messiah. The venerable Oak Park tradition, championed for decades by Dr. James Mack, will be carried on with David Tartakoff conducting you and as many of your friends as can fit in, along with an orchestra and soloists Susan Krout, Amy Pickering, Clifford Gabor, and Joseph Smith. If you can’t find a score at the used bookstore, buy one at the door for $5 and wail your heart out on Baroque melismas. The event is co-sponsored by McDowell Artists Association and the Illinois Arts Council. An offering will benefit PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter).
O’Reilly and O. Henry in O.P.
Della and Jim discover the gift of love when vocalists Jamie O’Reilly and Oak Parker present O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” in a radio theater format at the Oak Park Public Library. Set to Michael Smith’s original score for vocals, guitars, and strings, O’Reilly Productions has just released the classic story locally on CD, spiced up with “Silent Night” and other Christmas chestnuts. Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. Free. Canned goods or non-perishable food items for the Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry are welcome. For more information, call 708/697-6915.
You can also liven up the house with some seasonal music for the holidays, or put it on your wish list:
Holidays A Cappella Live – Jonathan Miller directs and sings with Chicago A Cappella in favorites recorded live at past holiday concerts (Centaur Records), $16. www.chicagoacappella.org
O Be Joyful – Music of the Baroque steps back in time with Renaissance brass and choral music under the direction of Edward Zelnis. Also available: Renaissance Christmas, Vols. 1 & 2 with Thomas Wikman conducting Music of the Baroque. $20 each. www.baroque.org
Silver Solstice – Paul Winter Consort and guests, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Winter Solstice at St. John the Divine. 2-CD set plus DVD-Audio disc, $26. Solstice Gems preserves the NPR broadcast from Winter Solstice 2002. 2-CD set, $25. www.livingmusic.com
The Gift of the Magi: An Americana Ballet – The classic story, original music, and Christmas tunes with Jamie O’Reilly, Michael Smith, and others on guitar, strings, piano, and vocals. $17.50. www.jamieoreilly.com
