CARMINA BURANA - The Chicago Bar Association

CBA SYMPHONY & CHORUS OFFICIAL PROGRAM
The NAPerville ChOruS
JEORDANO MARTíNEZ, Music Director
The history of the Naperville Chorus is about music, centuries-old choral works of timeless
beauty by Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Handel, Schubert, Strauss; reggae-style Christmas
carols; the requiem, or Mass for the Dead, Mozart left unfinished at his own death; the Motet
composed to honor Naperville native Commander Daniel Shanower, killed in the 9/11 attack
on the Pentagon; modern masterpieces evoking despair and delight…and so much more.
The history of the Chorus is also about people. In the 1960’s Dr. Paul Warren Allen of the North
Central College Music Department melded the vocal talents of students, college personnel,
and community members into a forerunner of the Naperville Chorus. The NCC-Community
Chorus flourished and performed contemporary and traditional choral works until 1971,
when financial cutbacks at the college eliminated the Music Department.
In 1976 Mr. Robert O. Jaynes revived the concept of a community-wide chorus for Naperville,
anchored by singers recruited to perform with the Municipal Band at the City’s celebration
of the U.S. Bicentennial. Reincarnated as the Naperville Community Chorus, the group presented
concerts semi-annually, and soon added appearances at the downtown Christmas
tree lighting ceremony and at summer band concerts.
With the retirement of Mr. Jaynes in 1989, the Chorus entered a new era. Professor Jeordano
Martínez, of the restored Music Department at North Central College, accepted the
Chorus Directorship, re-establishing the musical link between residents and the college.
In the spring of 1992, the Chorus dropped “Community” from its name in recognition of
the breadth of its membership.
Under the leadership of Professor Martínez, the Chorus has diversified. The Chamber Singers,
formerly under Assistant Director Mr. Jon Warfel, and now directed by Ross Berkley,
are available for appearances at community, civic and business events where a small group
is called for. Where massive volume is artistically appropriate, the Chorus has combined
performances with other area choruses and the DuPage Symphony Orchestra.
The Chorus toured Central Europe in 1999 and Spain and Portugal in 2001. The Chorus is
expanding its repertoire, ranging from haunting medieval chants to music by Andrew Lloyd-
Webber. The Chorus looks forward to continuing and expanding its tradition of offering fine
choral music to the citizens of Naperville. The support of the Illinois Arts Council, the Target
Foundation and individual benefactors will strengthen the future as they have the past.
YOuNg NAPerville SiNgerS
ANGIE JOHNSON, Artistic Director
MeMBerShiP iNFOrMATiON
The Naperville Chorus will begin
rehearsals on Monday September
12, 2011 for our Fall 2011 season. To
celebrate the 150th anniversary of
North Central College, the Chorus
will present Messiah, by George Frideric
Handel. If you are interested in
joining the chorus, come to North
Central College Wentz Concert Hall
and Fine Arts Center between 7:00
and 7:30 on September 12th. We are
always looking for new singers. For
more information, call 630-369-2609
or check our website. www.NapervilleChorus.org
As Young Naperville Singers ends its 27th season of song, the choir celebrates over two decades of excellence in choral music education.
The mission of Young Naperville Singers is to provide a choral experience for every child who demonstrates basic music ability
and a desire to sing.
Young Naperville Singers (YNS) is the premier children’s choir in Naperville. The choir consists of five ability based ensembles and
members range in age from six to seventeen. Our satellite choir in Oswego, the Young Fox Valley Singers, was founded in 2007 and
because of its success, has expanded to two ability based choirs this season. Membership in Young Naperville Singers and Young
Fox Valley Singers totals over 275 singers.
YNS has performed with the American Boychoir; participated in the Des Moines International Children’s Choir Festival, the Niagara
Falls International Festival, the “Sing a Mile High Children’s Choir Festival” (Colorado), the Crescent City Choral Festival (New
Orleans), the Pacific Rim International Chorus Festival, (HI); enjoyed performance collaborations with professional guest artists Judy
Collins, David Benoit and Natalie MacMaster; and premiered commissioned works by many noted composers.
In past seasons, the Young Naperville Singers were invited to sing at the Rotary International Centennial Convention, the American
Choral Director’s Association Regional Convention, and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York. This July, 42 members will participate
in the Coastal Sound International Choral Festival, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
A priority for Young Naperville Singers is involvement with the Naperville community. As an outreach program to local schools,
Young Naperville Singers hosts an annual Boys Power Sing, an annual Girls Diva Day!, Boys OUT LOUD singing and drumming
nights, invitational choir festivals and more. Membership is by audition and is open to all children regardless of race, gender or
physical ability.
10 | CBA SYMPHONY & CHORUS