Western Springs, Illinois (Friday, August 25, 2023) – The Tower Chorale and Music Director Patrick Godon are excited to announce a thrilling concert series for the 2023-24 season. Ranging from sacred to cinematic, beloved holiday classics to classical masterworks, American jazz to Polish requiems, this season’s performances will explore the music that has moved us most acutely through the eras.
This is the 38th Season for the 90-voice Western Springs-based choir considered one of the premier professional-level volunteer choral groups in the Chicago suburbs.
“Our audiences can experience the breathtaking power of a large symphonic choir, all passionate volunteers, bringing to life incredible music that enriches, moves and inspires,” said Mary Beth Niziol, chair of the Board of Directors and alto Chorale member. “After so much change and uncertainty these past few years, we’re so grateful we can continue to create a musical experience that is both comfortingly familiar to people’s ears and expansive for their spirit.”
The Tower Chorale will present three concerts as part of its regular annual series – a holiday concert in early December, a duo of choral masterworks with orchestra in early March, and a pops concert in May – along with a fourth concert in April in collaboration with the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest. Concerts will be held at venues across the Western Suburbs.
The group is led by Music Director Patrick Godon, keyboardist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and founding artistic director of the acclaimed International Chamber Artists. For more than twenty years, Maestro Godon has served the Chicago area as a choral conductor, composer, instrumentalist, chamber artist, and church musician. He is currently Choirmaster at Lake Forest’s Church of the Holy Spirit, and was previously Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Gregory the Great Church in Chicago for 15 years. Maestro Godon continues to bring professional artistry, experience on the global stage, and a commitment to drawing excellence out of volunteer singers to the group’s high quality, sophisticated performances.
“The Chorale’s dedication to bringing both breadth and depth of music to life for audiences across the Chicago region is unmatched,” said Maestro Godon. “Our goal is always to prepare performances that not only achieve musical excellence but also uplift the human spirit, inspire joy and introspection, and evoke emotion. The Chorale brings listeners on a journey from start to finish. Our repertoire this season celebrates the best of composers across centuries and genres – each distinct but united in their ability to move an audience.”
The Chorale’s season will include:
A Festive Nowell
December 2, 7:30 pm & December 3, 3:00 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, La Grange
Begin your holiday celebrations with “A Festive Nowell” on December 2 and 3. Within the inspiring nationally-designated historic environs and glorious acoustics of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of La Grange, Music Director Patrick Godon will lead chorus, soloists, and instrumentalists in preparing the way for a joyous holiday season, featuring well-known selections by Benjamin Britten (Rejoice in the Lamb), Michael John Trotta (O Magnum Mysterium), and William Ferris (Festival Alleluias). The second half will include samplings by Maconchy, Silver, Hamilton and Tower Chorale founder James Winfield, along with the Chorale’s much-beloved tradition of an audience carol sing-along to favorite classics such as Angels We Have Heard on High, Silent Night, and O Come All Ye Faithful.
Requiem for My Friend
March 2, 7:30 pm & March 3, 3:00 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, La Grange
In early March, audiences will have the rare opportunity to hear the first movement of the award-winning Requiem for My Friend from acclaimed Polish film composer Zbigniew Preisner. Preisner is Poland’s leading film music composer, having received numerous international film awards, and is considered to be one of the most outstanding film composers of his generation. The piece was Preisner’s first large-scale work specially written for live performance and was dedicated to the memory of lauded film director Krzysztof Kieslowski, Preisner’s long-time collaborator. The Chorus will precede Preisner’s piece with earlier European composer Mozart’s Vespers (Vesperae Solennes de Confessore).
Gershwin’s Greatest
May 18, 7:30 pm & May 19, 3:00 pm
First United Methodist Church, La Grange
We close our season with an energetic and soul-warming revival of some of the most incredible 20th century jazz standards by George Gershwin, the great Broadway composer of hits across film, romance and musical comedy that defined the 1930s and are indelibly ingrained in the American identity. From the composer of jazz great Rhapsody in Blue, come hear timeless classics such as “They can’t take that away from me,” “Strike up the band,” “Embraceable you,” and “Let’s call the whole thing off.” Jazz instrumentalists will accompany the Chorale and transport you to the magic of one of America’s most defining musical eras.
In addition to the Chorale’s three-concert series, singers from the Tower Chorale will join the Symphony of Oak Park River Forest in May:
Lisztomania: The Sacred and the Profane
April 7, 4:00 pm
Concordia University Chapel, River Forest
Welcome the return of spring with two of the most renowned pieces from prolific Romantic composer Franz Liszt. Under the baton of Jay Friedman, singers from the Tower Chorale will perform with the esteemed Symphony of Oak Park River Forest to deliver Liszt’s incredible Missa Solemnis and Totentanz. Tickets available through the Symphony of Oak Park River Forest.
To purchase Tower Chorale tickets, become a season underwriter, or sing with the group, visit www.towerchorale.org for more information. The Tower Chorale is a registered 501(c)3 and all donations to the Tower Chorale are tax deductible. Contact businessmanager@towerchorale.org with inquiries.