Choral concerts bring hope and the holidays

This fall, Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music is offering a trio of free choral concerts at the historic Alice Millar Chapel, blending time-honored traditions with modern relevance.

The series begins this Sunday, Oct. 27 with “A Concert for Hope.” The concert offers a powerful musical response to the ongoing gun violence crisis. The program aims to create a reflective space for mourning victims while also inspiring hope for a safer future.

“It is our duty as artists to address injustices in our world,” says Stephen Alltop, conductor of the Alice Millar Chapel choir.

“A Concert for Hope,” the first of three free choral concerts this fall, features Stacy Garrop’s “Repair the World,” a piece commissioned for the one-year anniversary of the Highland Park Fourth of July mass shooting. Additional performances include pieces by Bob Dylan, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Maurice Duruflé’s classic “Requiem.

In keeping with tradition, the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble returns with their annual “Evensong” performance on Nov. 3. This year’s theme “A remarkable stillness and serenity of soul,” invites audiences to reflect on the harmony between our inner selves and the world around us. Modeled after the traditional Anglican service held at sunset, this non-sectarian event features meditative readings and inspiring choral music.

“This year's ‘Evensong’ explores the theme of authenticity — how by discovering and expressing our truest selves we discover a harmony with the physical and spiritual world which surrounds us,” says Bienen conductor Andrew Megill. 

The fall choral season ends with the beloved “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” Dec. 8. The annual celebration brings together the Alice Millar Chapel Choir, Philharmonia and Millar Brass Ensemble for a heartwarming journey through carols ranging from the medieval to modern eras.

Learn more about these and other events at the Bienen School of Music.