Chicago Symphony Chorus

Chicago Symphony Chorus
Name	Chicago Symphony Chorus
Genre	Classical
Occupation	Choir
Years active	1957-present
Associated acts	Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Chicago Symphony Chorus. The Chicago Symphony Chorus is a renowned American choir based in Chicago, Illinois, and is an integral part of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Founded in 1957 by Margaret Hillis, the chorus has performed with many notable conductors, including Fritz Reiner, Jean Martinon, and Sir Georg Solti. The chorus has also collaborated with other prominent ensembles, such as the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and London Symphony Orchestra.

History

The Chicago Symphony Chorus was established in 1957, with Margaret Hillis as its first director, and has since become one of the most respected choirs in the world, performing with conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, and Daniel Barenboim. The chorus has a long history of performing at iconic venues, including Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and Symphony Center. The chorus has also been part of numerous festivals, such as the Ravinia Festival, Grant Park Music Festival, and Tanglewood Music Festival, and has worked with organizations like the League of American Orchestras and the National Endowment for the Arts. The chorus has performed with many notable soloists, including Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, and Jessye Norman, and has been part of several Grammy Award-winning recordings.

Organization

The Chicago Symphony Chorus is composed of over 150 volunteer singers, who are selected through a rigorous audition process, and is led by its current director, Duain Wolfe. The chorus is supported by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, which also oversees the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. The chorus has a strong relationship with other musical institutions in Chicago, including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, and the Music Institute of Chicago. The chorus also collaborates with local universities, such as Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, and has performed with ensembles like the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Grant Park Orchestra.

Repertoire

The Chicago Symphony Chorus has a diverse repertoire, ranging from classical works like Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and Mozart's Requiem Mass in D minor to contemporary pieces by composers like John Adams and Osvaldo Golijov. The chorus has also performed numerous works by American composers, including Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, and Aaron Copland, and has premiered several new works, including pieces by Augusta Read Thomas and Jennifer Higdon. The chorus has a strong commitment to performing works by Chicago-based composers, such as Ralph Shapey and Stefan Hakenberg, and has collaborated with ensembles like the Contemporary Chamber Players and the Fulcrum Point New Music Project.

Performances

The Chicago Symphony Chorus performs regularly at Symphony Center in Chicago, and has also toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally, performing in cities like New York City, Los Angeles, London, and Paris. The chorus has performed at numerous festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival, Blossom Music Festival, and Ojai Music Festival, and has collaborated with other prominent ensembles, such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The chorus has also been part of several high-profile performances, including the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert, and has worked with conductors like Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Muti, and Valery Gergiev.

Awards_and_recognition

The Chicago Symphony Chorus has received numerous awards and accolades, including several Grammy Award nominations and wins, and has been praised by critics and audiences alike for its exceptional sound and technique. The chorus has also been recognized for its commitment to community engagement and education, and has received awards from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the League of American Orchestras. The chorus has been featured on several recordings, including releases on the CSO Resound and Decca Records labels, and has collaborated with other notable ensembles, such as the London Symphony Chorus and the Berlin Radio Chorus. The chorus has also been part of several award-winning recordings, including albums conducted by Sir Georg Solti and Daniel Barenboim.

Notable_conductors

The Chicago Symphony Chorus has worked with many notable conductors throughout its history, including Fritz Reiner, Jean Martinon, and Sir Georg Solti, who led the chorus in numerous performances and recordings. Other notable conductors who have worked with the chorus include Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, and Daniel Barenboim, as well as Riccardo Muti, Claudio Abbado, and Valery Gergiev. The chorus has also collaborated with conductors like James Levine, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Esa-Pekka Salonen, and has performed with ensembles like the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. The chorus has a strong relationship with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's music directors, including Riccardo Muti and Daniel Barenboim, and has worked with other notable conductors, such as Charles Dutoit and Marin Alsop.

Category:American choirs