CARMINA BURANA - The Chicago Bar Association

CBA SYMPHONY & CHORUS OFFICIAL PROGRAM
Those Wednesday rehearsals, cookies and all,
led inexorably to the orchestra’s first Fall
concert in 1987, a concert focusing on serious
and challenging works. On November 19, 1987,
the orchestra performed its first symphony –
Franz Joseph Haydn’s “Clock” Symphony –
and, indeed, earned the right to change its name
from the “Chicago Bar Association Chamber
Orchestra” to the “Chicago Bar Association
Symphony Orchestra.”
The orchestra also hosted its first guest artist –
the first of many artists, both guests and
orchestra members, to be featured in orchestra
concerts. On this occasion, Deborah Hanks, a
tax attorney from Milwaukee, was featured on
clarinet playing Carl Maria von Weber’s
“Concertino.” At the time Hanks was also
principal clarinet with the Milwaukee Ballet
Orchestra and had previously been principal
clarinet of the Toledo Symphony. Other works
performed were Ravel’s “Pavane,” Rossini’s
“Italian in Algiers Overture” and Liadov’s
“Russian Folk Songs.”
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Also, David Katz’ podium constructed of the
Illinois Revised Statutes was replaced by a
beautiful inlaid wood podium made and donated
by Theodore Shultz. Orchestra member
Bernard Neistein, violinist and Illinois State
Senator, persuaded Shultz to create the new
podium. Unfortunately, the podium was so
beautiful that it disappeared after a concert a
few years later and had to be replaced.
Nevertheless, it marked the end of the
appearance of the Illinois Revised Statutes at
orchestra concerts.
The fall concert was followed by the first of
many annual Holiday Favorites concerts. On
December 17, 1987, the orchestra performed
during the noon hour at Denning Hall in the old
CBA building, including O Holy Night,
featuring Jill Nicholson (soprano), Dance of the
Blessed Spirits, featuring Tom Rosenwein
(flute) and of course Leroy Anderson’s “A
Christmas Festival.”
Another milestone was reached that holiday
season of 1987 – the familiar Chicago Bar
Association Symphony Orchestra logo, created
and donated to the orchestra by Roger Harvey,
made its first appearance.
The traditions started in 1987, of a fall concert
featuring serious works and holiday concert,
continue to this day.
As winter turned into spring, the orchestra
prepared for its spring concert of serious works.
On April 7, 1988, it performed its second
symphony, Schubert’ Symphony No. 8. in B