DuPage Chorale Performs a Concert of Inspirational Works at the McAninch Arts Center, Sunday, Dec. 7
Chorale Unites with DuPage Chorale Orchestra for Works Ranging from Antonio Vivaldi to Pete Seeger
“This concert highlights works for chorus and chamber orchestra featuring a wide offering of choral tastes including works by American folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, famed Italian Baroque composer Vivaldi’s Credo, the hauntingly beautiful ‘Snow Angel’ by Sarah Quartel and Ola Gjello’s powerful ‘Sunrise Mass’ †shares Director Kesselman.
The concert program will include the following works:
- Antonio Vivaldi (1678 –1741):  “Credo†in E minor (RV 591). The Crede is the profession of faith or creed that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. This is the only extant setting of the Nicene Creed by Vivaldi, who is recognized as one of the most important Baroque composers.
- Sarah Quartel (b. 1982): “Snow Angel†featuring narration by COD Professor of Theater, Amelia Barrett. Through song and narrative, “Snow Angel” weaves together stories of love and light, rebirth and rejuvenation to highlight the strength and beauty a child’s voice can bring to our often troubled world. First written for treble chorus in 2002, “Snow Angel†was re-written for mixed chorus and orchestrated expressly for this concert in 2014.
- Ola Gjello (b. 1978): “Sunrise Mass†is a spiritual, extended work which uses the liturgical Latin text. The four movements create a musical metaphysical journey from the heavens to earth, from the echo of The Spheres (Kyrie) to Identity & The Ground (Sanctus) with its earthly themes.
- Pete Seeger (1919 –2014): Songs of Conscience
Seeger was an American folk singer and activist. These are three of his best loved songs.
Performance is Sunday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center. Tickets are $16 adult/14 senior and youth. For tickets or more information, visit AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.4000. For more information about this ensemble and other music opportunities at College of DuPage, visit cod.edu/programs/music.
Lee R. Kesselman, a resident of Glen Ellyn, has been Director of Choral Activities at COD since 1981 and was chosen COD Outstanding Faculty Member for 1994-95. In addition to teaching and composing, Kesselman is active as a conductor, pianist, clinician and lecturer and music director for a variety of opera and musical theater productions His works for children have brought him national attention and he has been commissioned to write for children, school community, church, and professional ensembles and serves as an editor for Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers. He is Founder and Music Director of the New Classic Singers, a professional choral ensemble and directs the DuPage Chorale and College of DuPage Chamber Singers. A member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), he has received annual ASCAP awards for his works since1994. Kesselman holds undergraduate degrees in piano and composition from Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and a master’s degree in conducting from the University of Southern California.
Amelia Barrett (Reader in the “Snow Angelâ€) is professor of theater at College of DuPage as well as a professional actor and director. Barrett has directed numerous COD productions, most recently “The Troll Booth.†She has directed professionally for multiple Buffalo Theatre Ensemble productions, where she is also a member of the acting ensemble. As an actor, she has appeared with other regional companies such as Idaho Repertory Theatre, internationally at the Edinburgh Festival and in Chicago venues such as City Lit. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association as well as the Screen Actors Guild & the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting from the University of Texas at Austin and a Graduate Certificate in Laban Movement Analysis from Columbia College, Chicago.
The mission of the MAC is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. For more information about the MAC, visit AtTheMAC.org. You can also learn more about the MAC on Facebook at facebook.com/AtTheMAC or on twitter at twitter.com/AtTheMAC.
