Our Gift to You -- A Christmas Blessing
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Thanks to you and your continued support, we end the year full of gratitude and hope. Your loyalty throughout this difficult year has made it possible for Chicago Master Singers to continue sharing great music with our singers and patrons, although in new and different ways.
As always, our gift to you is our music. We invite you to enjoy our virtual choir performance of Philip Stopford's A Christmas Blessing. Wishing you joy and blessings in this special season, |
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Spring 2021 Chicago Master Singers University Begins in January
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Welcome to Chicago Master Singers University (CMS University), a series of seminars offered by Chicago Master Singers and hosted by our Music Director, Dr. John Hughes. We are offering this series as a livestream, during which you will be able to use the chat feature to interact with Dr. Hughes, his guests and other participants. The sessions will be recorded and will be available the day after the livestream event, in case you miss the live session.
The Spring 2021 semester of CMS University will meet on Mondays from January 11 to April 19. Sessions begin at 7:00 pm Central time, and will be streamed via YouTube. The seminars are free, but registration is required. When you register, you will receive a link to the live event a couple of days beforehand and the day of the event. |
Chicago Master Singers’ First Online Performance Debuts on YouTube
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Chicago Master Singers released its first online performance on YouTube. It premiered on November 2. O Love, a contemporary work by composer Elaine Hagenberg, is conducted by CMS Music Director John C. Hughes with accompaniment by pianist Lyudmila Lakisova.
Dr. Hughes chose this piece of music because of its emotionally powerful setting of a comforting and hopeful text. “This work encourages us through these difficult days and reminds us why we love choral music,” he said. |
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Meet Elaine Hagenberg
Iowa-based choral composer Elaine Hagenberg has become internationally known, with performances at Carnegie Hall, and in Europe, Australia and South America. This year she won the American Choral Directors Association’s Raymond Brock commission, one of choral music’s highest honors. Dr. Hughes calls her “one of our brightest composers in the US right now. |
While live performances are on hold, Dr. Hughes has been leading a series of free weekly educational programs on musical topics online this fall. One program featured a live interview with Elaine Hagenberg. This and other previously recorded programs can be viewed at no cost on the CMS YouTube channel.
Listen to Chicago Master Singers
About Chicago Master Singers
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Chicago Master Singers (CMS) was founded in 1979. Our repertoire consists of the great choral and orchestral works of the past as well as contemporary works by living composers. Chorus members are drawn from over 50 communities around the greater Chicago area and come from all walks of life and professions. For some, music is their vocation as professional singers, teachers and choir directors; and for others it is their avocation, a way to enrich their lives by coming together with others who love to sing and performing great works of music. CMS embarks on a European performance tour every two years as ambassadors of goodwill.
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What the critics say“Chicago Master Singers, by almost any measure, has to be considered among the city’s top choral ensembles.” Kyle MacMillan, chicagoclassicalreview.com
“…what came through powerfully was the deep emotion and intense spirituality of the music. Heatherington’s focused, scrupulous direction of his forces—vocal quartet, orchestra and large chorus—conveyed … the intense drama of the music, deftly varying the slow tempos to provide expressive variety.” Lawrence Johnson, chicagoclassicalreview.com “… the transparency of Chicago Master Singers is extraordinary, to be sure. Heatherington kept a tight rein on dynamics, balances and diction all evening and, despite the resonance of the space, lines and texts remained clear.” Dennis Polkow, chicagoclassicalreview.com “The Chicago Master Singers – 129 strong – delivered daunting corporate power … and dedication in their challenging role. … the vocalism and tonal refinement was impressive" Lawrence Johnson, chicagoclassicalreview.com |
