the Chorus
The Chorus is closely associated with North Central College in Naperville and is actually part of the Music Department curriculum. Students can earn college credit through Chorus participation. Additionally, the Chorus has performed for many years at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall. Since 2008, we are privileged to call the College's new Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center our performance and rehearsal home. We are indebted to the College for their continued support over the years.
We would also like to acknowledge the Illinois Arts Council, a state of Illinois agency and the SECA, Special Events and Cultural Emenities funds of Naperville for their support. In the past, we have received support from the DuPage Community Foundation.
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The Naperville Chorus presents two major concerts each year, one in the fall/winter holiday season and one in the spring. The Chorus was founded in 1976 (see Chorus History). Recent performances of the Chorus have included baroque music such as Bach’s Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria, and lighter music such as Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury and Pirates of Penzance (excerpts) and selections from Die Fledermaus and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It has also performed 20th century music such as Honegger’s King David, Gian Carlo Menotti’s Bishop of Brindisi and Ramirez’ Misa Criolla. We combined forces with the Downers Grove Choral Society to present Israel in Egypt and have combined with the DuPage Symphony to present Russian Opera Choruses and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (also with the Downers Grove Choral Society). See Performance History for more information.
The Chorus has been fortunate to have Jeordano Martínez as conductor. This year Jon Warfel returns as assistant director. As of the fall of 2007, Ross Berkley is director of the Chamber Singers. We are fortunate to have (again) Barbara Vanderwall as our accompanist. We are not quite sure how we keep getting her back after she decides that we are too much work, but we don’t question a wonderful thing! We also have a very competent Board of Directors.
Music is important to the entire group, but we do have fun also. Monthly “treat nights” have included unusual theme cakes, among the latest is based on the Poulenc Gloria and part of the Many Moods of Christmas.