Bethel United Church of Christ will present The Oriana Singers on Saturday, December 3rd at 7 p.m., as part of its Music@Bethel Concert Series. The critically acclaimed six-voice a cappella group will perform selections ranging from 15th century carol Nowell: Out of Your Sleep Arise and contemporary Christmas favorites such as The Christmas Song, to an innovative arrangement of Jingle Bells. The program will also feature compositions by Michael Praetorius, Guillaume Costeley, Philip Lawson and John Rutter.
The Oriana Singers was formed in 1979, by assistant Chicago Symphony Chorus director William Chin as a small choral ensemble performing Renaissance and early Baroque music. Originally the group’s conductor, Chin joined as vocalist and led its transition to a conductorless group, performing music from other genres including contemporary vocal jazz. The group has since gained recognition throughout Chicagoland as one of the premier a cappella ensembles, and has enjoyed multiple international tours.
The six-voice soprano-soprano-alto-tenor-baritone-bass (SSATBB) configuration includes director/baritone William Chin, soprano Jessica Melger, soprano Laura Perkett, alto Nora Engonopoulos, tenor Keith Murphy and bass Michael Hawes.
Since its inception in 1999, the Music@Bethel Concert Series has been under the artistic direction of world-class, award-winning pianist Jeffrey Panko, minister of music at Bethel United Church of Christ and a frequent performer in the Series.
“A cappella singing is truly one of the purest and most difficult musical art forms, and when handled by a master musician such as Maestro Chin and his accomplished singers the results are exquisite,” said Panko.
A wine reception will follow the concert. Bethel United Church of Christ is located at 315 East St. Charles Road in Elmhurst. Tickets are available online at www.musicatbethel.com or by calling 630-279-4040. Prices are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $5 for students. A family pass is available for $45. The church is accessible and parking is free. Enter at the Sandburg Middle School entrance from St. Charles Road, or from Huntington off Poplar Street.