The Waukegan Concert Chorus will kick off its latest season by getting everyone in the holiday mood.
“The park district asks us to start with a holiday-themed show each year, and it’s one that we always enjoy doing,” said Music Director Randy Casey. “It gives us a chance to introduce some music and arrangements that some people may not know.”
The performance of “Songs for the Season” will take place Nov. 12 in the Schornick Theatre at the Jack Benny Center in Waukegan. It will include some well-known standards, such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “The First Noel,” as well as anthems explicitly written for a choir, including works by English composer Vaughan Williams.
“Williams is probably the greatest British composer in the last century,” Casey said. “These two pieces we’re doing of his are just gorgeous. They were written as English cathedral music, which meant that they were written to be sung in a cathedral.”
The chorus will sing “The Blessed Son of God” and “Lullaby” from the Williams catalog.
“They are from his extended work ‘Hodie,’ and I think ‘The Blessed Son of God’ is one of the most perfect choral works ever written,” Casey said. “It also happens to be beautiful.”
Soloist Julie Mattson will be featured as a soloist in “Lullaby” as well as “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day,” a traditional English anthem arranged by John Rutter and featuring all female voices.
“It’s one of the finest choral works for women in all of choral literature,” Casey said. “It’s also a lot of fun to sing.”
Other anthems performed by the chorus include “O Leave Your Sheep,” “Love Came Down at Christmas” and “Nowell,” by Randall Thompson, a mid-20th century American composer.
The concert will conclude with a holiday singalong, which will invite audience members to participate with the chorus.
“I usually just get on the piano and play whatever strikes me,” Casey said. “We’ll do ‘White Christmas’ and other songs that everyone knows. It’s a good way to end the show.”
The Waukegan Concert Chorus was established in 1976, and Casey began singing with the group in 1998. He took over as musical director close to a decade ago, and he says the group of 22 singers is as strong as he’s ever seen.
“This is a group that is solid all the way through; everyone here can really sing,” he said. “Rehearsals with them are a highlight for me every week. We can do so much when you have quality singers as we have now.”
‘Songs for the Season’
When: 4 p.m. Nov. 12
Where: Schornick Theatre at the Jack Benny Center, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan
Tickets: Adults: $7/$15; Children 18 and under are free
Information: 847-360-4700; waukeganparks.org
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
