Director's Notes

That's right! The time has flown, and in just a few short days, the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale will be enjoying our performance of Some Enchanted Evening: Favorites from Broadway. This promises to be a very enjoyable time of hearing some memorable tunes from the stage. Everything from West Side Story to Les Miserables.

Everybody loves a good melody, and these songs are filled with them! How about the title song of our concert, Some Enchanted Evening (from South Pacific)? Or maybe something a little more recent is to your liking—something like All I Ask of You (from Phantom of the Opera). And then there are the classics like My Favorite Things (Sound of Music) and Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler on the Roof). And just to show that the chorale can let down and be a little silly, there's Pick a Little, Talk a Little (The Music Man)—guaranteed to leave you smiling! Oh, and . . . hot off the presses, an original arrangement of Dear Theodosia (Hamilton) by our own Mac Willaert.

So . . . how about it? Ready for a musical treat? Get your tickets now for Some Enchanted Evening: Favorites from Broadway. Take a look at the concert banner on this page, and order your tickets. Remember, our concerts are Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13 at College Church in Wheaton.

Hope to see you there!

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale

Ready for a quiz? When it comes to Broadway, just how much do you know? If your pencil is ready, here we go! You'll find the answers after the questions. Don't peek!

1. What is the longest-running show on Broadway?
2. We don't normally think of the Pulitzer Prize when it comes to Broadway musicals. But at least one production has been awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Can you name it?
3. Which Broadway musical is adapted from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail?
4. Put these productions in order of their appearance on Broadway:
      Carousel
      The Music Man
      Fiddler on the Roof
      South Pacific
5. What popular Broadway production borrows its story line from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?

So, how did you do? Here are the answers:

1. The longest-running Broadway show (and it's still running) is Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera. To date, there have been more than 12,000 performances!
2. Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950. There have been a handful of other musicals that have won the award—most recently, Hamilton.
3. The answer is Spamalot, which like Monty Python, is a parody on the legend of King Arthur. And if you're thinking, "I just don't get the humor in shows like Monty Python," well, you're not alone! It takes a special kind of person! But enough about that!
4. In order of appearance: Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The Music Man (1957), and Fiddler on the Roof (1964).
5. In a masterful re-telling of Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is set in 1950s New York City. The setting may be modern, but the audience can easily see Shakespeare's tragic story unfold.

Maybe this little quiz has whetted your appetite for hearing some of the wonderful tunes from these Broadway productions! Here's some good news: music from each of these shows (and others) will be featured in the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale's spring concert Some Enchanted Evening: Favorites from Broadway. The Chorale, Ensemble, and selected soloists will present an evening of some of the memorable tunes from over the years on Broadway.

We hope you'll plan now to be in our audience! The concerts will be Friday, May 12 at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, May 13 at 3:00 pm at College Church in Wheaton. For more information, see the details on this website!

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale

Something amazing happened on Christmas Eve in 1914. It was, of course, the early days of World War I. On the western front, Allied and German forces were dug in, each in their own muddy trenches. On Christmas Eve, some of the German troops decided to decorate their trenches with candles and Christmas trees. Then, floating on the frosty air came the voices of soldiers singing Christmas carols. Before long, their Allied counterparts answered with carols of their own, and so began an amazing moment. Reports say that soldiers actually left their trenches to walk into No-Man's Land and exchange gifts with the enemy. You can see some of this scene depicted in the 2005 film Joyeaux Noel (you'll find it on YouTube).

If you're like me, this story tugs at your heart. Don't we long for a world where enemies are reconciled, where wrongs are made right? I've been thinking about this moment in history as the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale prepares for our upcoming Christmas concerts. Isn't this part of the reason that we find words like these so meaningful?

Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.
(Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love.
(Joy to the World)

Peace will pervade more than forest and field:
God will transfigure the violence concealed
Deep in the heart and in systems of gain,
Ripe for the judgment the Lord will ordain.
(The Dream Isaiah Saw)

The Christmas truce of 1914, as amazing as it was, turned out to be temporary. Sadly, the soldiers soon went back to their hostilities. We long for a more permanent armistice, a true pax Dei. And this is exactly what the angels sang about in the sky over Bethlehem: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests. Christmas is God's annoucement of a truce between heaven and earth—between God and man—for all who will receive it as a gift.

I consider it a privilege to meet with more than 60 other people on Tuesday nights and sing words like the ones above (all of which, by the way, will be sung in our concerts). We need the hope they bring! I hope you will make plans to be with us when we sing them—and many others—in our Wintersong 2016 concerts. See details on this website, and make plans now to join us. I think you'll be glad!

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale

I like that phrase! Gloria in excelsis Deo—Glory to God in the Highest! As you probably know, it's a Latin phrase that comes from the song the angels sang to the shepherds as they announced the birth of Jesus the Messiah:

Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

People who study such things tell us that this jubilant text has been in use since the second century. Imagine it! Singing these words puts us in a long line of singers that may date back as much as 1800 years!

The Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale is excited about singing the popular Gloria written by prolific composer John Rutter. This brilliant work will form the centerpiece of this year's Wintersong Christmas concert. Do you like brass? You won't want to miss this concert! Rutter's Gloria is a virtual display piece for choir, brass, and organ. After this quarter hour of listening, if you aren't ready for Christmas, we'll refund your money!

But that's not all! Our concert will also feature quieter moments, such as the stunning Emily Crocker setting of Do You Hear What I Hear?, and another Rutter composition, this one a hauntingly beautiful setting of the lullaby Dormi Jesu (Sleep, Jesus). And we've reserved something big and festive to end our concert—and it just might include a singalong!

We think that our two Wintersong concerts are a great way for you and your family to enter the Christmas season! Why not put these dates on your calendar right now? They'll be here before you know it!

Friday, December 2 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 3 at 3:00 pm

Both concerts will be held at College Church in Wheaton, a beautiful space for singing, both acoustically and visually. You can find ticket information on the main page of this website.

I know I speak for the entire Chorale when I say that it will be wonderful to have you in our audience!

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale

Greg Wheatley, Music Director (L), with René Clausen

World-renowned composer and conductor René Clausen thrilled our audience with his "composer chat" prior to the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale's concert this past weekend. During that concert, the Chorale premiered Clausen's choral work The Cloths of Heaven.

Dr. Clausen addressed the audience, talking about his background, how and when he began to compose music, and what it means for him to write. He expressed his appreciation to the Chorale for their commissioning and performing of this piece.

Clausen said that "a piece of music is like looking at a picture which can change color depending on when you are viewing it . . . in the light or dark." He explained that in writing The Cloths of Heaven he used a lot of contrast of men's and women's voices. The Cloths of Heaven is a setting of a text by William Butler Yeats.

It was a real honor to have Dr. Clausen with us for these two concerts. For us, this represents the culmination of a year-long process of seeing a new piece brought to life, written by a wonderful composer just for the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale. Over the last several months, as the Chorale rehearsed René's piece, we knew he was a gifted composer. After meeting him this past weekend, we now know him as a most gracious man. What a joy to have him with us!

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale

René Clausen

The Chorale is excited to be preparing for our upcoming concert OF NIGHT AND LIGHT. We're especially thrilled that this concert will feature the world premiere THE CLOTHS OF HEAVEN by renowned composer René Clausen.

The story begins a year or so ago when the chorale decided to commission a new work in honor of our 30th anniversary. A short list of composers was soon narrowed to one—René Clausen. In addition to being a prolific composer, René is also the conductor of the acclaimed Concordia Choir (Moorhead, MN), one of this country's top collegiate choirs. When we contacted René about this project, he graciously agreed to take it on. A text was soon agreed upon—one from poet William Butler Yeats:

Had I the heaven's embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet:
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

René's setting of this evocative text is a wonderful painting in sound! As you listen to the shimmering harmonices, I think you'll agree that René has captured the essence of this poem beautifully!

We hope to see you at one of our concerts—Friday, May 6 at 7:30, or Saturday, May 7 at 3:00. Both concerts are at College Church. More information about tickets can be found here on our website.

And here is some exciting news! René Clausen will be in attendance at both concerts, and will also present a pre-concert talk at 2:00 on Saturday, just prior to the concert. Admission to this talk is free with your concert ticket.

Please join us! And would you help us spread the word by liking us on Facebook? And tell your friends about this upcoming concert!

Thanks!

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale

One of the great joys of the Christmas season is all of the wonderful music that attends the celebration. The music of Christmas has long been some of my favorite music—that includes the standard carols as well as some of the classic works like Handel's Messiah, and the lighter things like Jingle Bells. And for the past 17 years or so, it's been my priviliege to get to celebrate Christmas with the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale, a fine group of folks who love to sing!

This year's Wintersong promises to be another wonderful opportunity to sing and to hear the music of Christmas. The Chorale has been in rehearsal since the day after Labor Day, working on things like Vivaldi's Magnificat. This 13-minute piece is a setting of Mary's canticle—"My soul doth magnify the Lord." It's a sparkling little piece, complete with the kind of writing for choir and strings that you'd expect from the composer of the better-known Gloria. And speaking of strings—we have another amazing group of string players, and a pair of oboists that I know you'll enjoy!

In addition to the Magnificat, the Chorale will sing beautiful settings such as Kim Andre Arnesen's Cradle Hymn, and well-known standards such as Jingle Bells and Joy to the World. I'm especially excited about Dan Forrest's setting for choir and four-hand piano of Angels from the Realms of Glory! And as always, we'll invite you to sing some carols with us!

Wintersong: Christmas with the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale is a great way to begin your celebration of this most wonderful time of the year! We hope to see you at one of our concerts: Friday, December 4 at 7:30, or Saturday, December 5 at 3:00. Both concerts are at College Church in Wheaton. Tickets are available now, right here on the Chorale's website.

I hope to see you soon!

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale

Birthdays are wonderful occasions! They're a time to celebrate with family and friends, and to enjoy being together! The Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale is about to celebrate a birthday—our 30th. And YOU are invited to the celebration!

We hope you'll be in our audience on either Friday, May 8 (7:30 pm) or Saturday, May 9 (3:00 pm) as we present There Is Sweet Music. Both concerts will be at College Church (corner of Washington and Seminary in Wheaton). Music for this concert includes the beautiful title song, There Is Sweet Music Here. The setting of this Tennyson poem is by Greg Gilpin, and provides an evocative musical setting for the text. There's also a rollicking arrangement of Bound for the Promised Land, complete with four-hand piano accompaniment, and a beautiful setting by Ola Gjeilo of St. Augustine's prayer from more than 1500 years ago! The Chorale will be joined by saxophonist Howard Whitaker and French horn player Corin Droullard.

We think you'll enjoy this concert! Why not make plans to celebrate with us? Tickets are available here on this website. Or you may phone 630.415.3066. We'll look forward to seeing you!

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale

Preparation for the Chorale's spring concert Come Join the Dance has been ongoing for weeks. Not only have the singers been rehearsing, but a few miles to our southeast, the junior dancers of the Salt Creek Ballet have been plying their craft, under the able direction of Emily Moser. This group of talented young women will dance to three of the Chorale's pieces this coming weekend.

As I stood conducting the Chorale in rehearsal earlier this week, my back to the dancers, I could hear their synchronized steps resounding on the hardwood behind me. And it struck me once again: there is great joy in artistic collaboration! There we were—two distinct groups working in two different mediums. Our stock in trade is the world of sounds—notes, words, dynamics. Their tools are beautifully crafted movements. There is something special about bringing those two worlds together, in what can only be called artistic synergy, each enjoying the fruits of the other's labors. And then, together, offering those labors to an audience. I found myself thinking, "We really need to do this more often."

I hope you'll be there to enjoy it! The junior dancers of the Salt Creek Ballet will join the Chorale in Copland's Stomp Your Foot (from The Tender Land), John Ferguson's delightful setting of Lord of the Dance, and the rollicking Gilbert and Sullivan finale from The Gondoliers. And along the way, there's plenty more music to make you want to Come Join the Dance! Won't you? Concerts are this Friday, May 9 at 7:30 and Saturday, May 10 at 3:00. Both concerts are at College Church in Wheaton. Tickets are available at this website, or at the door.

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale

It seems that there is a special day for just about everything these days! On top of the usual—birthdays, anniversaries, and the like—we have things like National Popcorn Popping Month, World Smile Day, National Pig Day, and If Pets Had Thumbs Day (I'm not making that up!). If you're the fun-loving type, these are just crazy excuses to celebrate! If you're the cynical type, some of them could be ways for greeting card companies to generate revenue (though it's hard to see National Pig Day catching on).

Well, here's one I think is well worth celebrating. October is National Arts and Humanities Month. In honor of the occasion, here is a list of 10 things you could do to celebrate the place of the arts in our lives:

1) Take half a day and go to the Art Insitute. Browse around and find some of those famous paintings you've always heard about and seen in books.

2) Turn off talk radio in your car and listen to a symphony, or a choral work.

3) See the banner on the right side of this web page to learn more about Wintersong, the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale's 2013 Christmas concert.

4) Take time to finally read one of those books you were supposed to have read in Great Books in college. You know the ones: Les Misérables (even if you have seen the movie), or War and Peace (OK, that one is long!).

5) Buy a musician a coffee.

6) Ask a member of the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale to talk to you about Wintersong.

7) Ask a member of the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale to sell you a ticket to Wintersong.

8) Dig out that trumpet that's been in storage since your high school graduation. See if you can remember any of the fingerings, and if you're really brave, try to blow that trumpet.

9) Go to our Facebook page (www.facebook.org/gewchorale) and "like" us.

10) Whatever you do, mark December 6 or 7 on your calendar as the dates for Wintersong.

Please feel free to pass this on to others—and we do hope to see you at Wintersong!

Greg Wheatley
Music Director, Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale