The Illinois State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music invite you to the Civic Chorale’s 50th Anniversary Concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 3 in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students (with student ID).
The concert will open with John Rutter’s Mass of the Children (2003) and will feature soloists Anthony Gullo, baritone and Janna Peterson, soprano; instrumentalists Kimberly Risinger, flute; Judith Dicker, oboe; David Gresham, clarinet; Michael Dicker, bassoon; Rachel Hockenberry, horn; Ben Stiers, percussion; Baryl Brandt, percussion; Ryan Lauciello, percussion; Julia Jamieson, harp; Kathryn Balk, double bass, and Patricia Foltz, organ; as well as the acappella group, Beauties and the Beat.
Following an intermission and brief program, the concert will conclude with Rutter’s Magnificat (1990) with soloist Kristyn Szwajka, soprano; and the addition of Hyo-Jung Chun, violin; Asa Church, violin; Katherine Lewis, viola and Adriana Ransom, cello to the instrumental group.
Founded in 1968, the Illinois State University Civic Chorale has a membership of more than 100 choristers who are ISU undergraduate and graduate students, music majors and non-majors, and community members. The ISU Civic Chorale performs a concert every academic semester but also joins other university choral groups and the ISU Symphony Orchestra in performances of large choral works, symphonies, and oratorios. In addition to masterworks, the Civic Chorale performs works by contemporary composers such as Eric Whitacre, Dan Forrest, John Rutter, and others. The Civic Chorale performs an annual holiday concert at the McLean County Museum of History during its “Once upon a December…” celebration. The ensemble has also performed in local churches, Chicago, Springfield, and Europe. The Civic Chorale is directed by Professor John Koch, who has expertise in choral music and opera.
Beauties and the Beat is an all-female acapella group comprised of local teens from the Bloomington-Normal community and is directed by Tracy M. Koch, with Kristyn Szwajka as assistant director.
Upcoming Civic Chorale Concerts
Civic Chorale Celebrates Christmas
7 p.m., Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Governor Fifer Room, McLean County Museum of History, Bloomington
Featuring Beauties and the Beat, directed by Tracy Marie Koch
Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci
8 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2019
Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall
A collaboration with MIOpera
If you are interested in joining the Civic Chorale or supporting the Civic Chorale Excellence Fund, please contact John Koch.
For a schedule of upcoming School of Music concerts and events, visit the College of Fine Arts events calendar and follow the Illinois State University Civic Chorale on Facebook.
For tickets or additional information, contact the College of Fine Arts Box Office, located in the Illinois State University Center for the Performing Arts, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at (309) 438-2535, or purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com. Performance parking is available for free in the School Street Parking Deck in spots 250 and above, 400 West Beaufort Street, Normal.
