Music of the Baroque, Chicago

History

Music of the Baroque was founded by Thomas S. Wikman, as a program of the choir of the Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer in Hyde Park. It was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1975, and achieved critical acclaim early in its history. From its church choir roots, Music of the Baroque has grown to be the Midwest’s premier professional chorus and orchestra specializing in the performance of eighteenth-century works. Acclaimed conductor Jane Glover was named Music Director in September 2002. Nicholas Kraemer is the ensemble’s Principal Guest Conductor. Karen Fishman has served as the organization's executive director since 1999.

Over nearly four decades, Music of the Baroque has presented premier and revival performances of many early masterpieces—among them Claudio Monteverdi’s operas and 1610 Vespers, Georg Philipp Telemann’s Day of Judgement, Mozart’s Idomeneo, and numerous Handel operas and oratorios. The ensemble has drawn particular praise throughout its history for its performances of the major choral works of J. S. Bach and Handel.

Known for its steadfast commitment to artistic excellence, Music of the Baroque is one of the few groups of its stature in the country devoted to early repertoire. The ensemble has been consistently positioned with the city’s leading performing organizations. As the Chicago Sun-Times put it,

“Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra may be the big guys on the local classical music scene, but in terms of sheer quality of performance…Music of the Baroque inhabits the same stratosphere.”

From its earliest years, Music of the Baroque has drawn audiences from across the Chicago metropolitan area, performing mostly in the intimate settings of neighborhood churches chosen for architectural interest and acoustic excellence. In 2004, Music of the Baroque began performing as well in the new Harris Theater in Millennium Park in downtown Chicago.

Listeners across the country have enjoyed the work of Music of the Baroque, which was the first professional chorus in America to have its own regularly scheduled nationwide broadcast series. Music of the Baroque concerts are currently heard on WFMT Radio.

Current season

Music of the Baroque is celebrating its 40th season in 2010-11, and will perform eight programs. Featured works include Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, Vivaldi's Gloria , Bach's Christmas Oratorio , Handel's Messiah, and Mozart's final three symphonies.

Educational Outreach

Music of the Baroque conducts educational outreach to support and enhance music education programs at Chicago public high schools.

Focused on students interested in musical study who lack the resources to pursue their aspirations, Music of the Baroque’s Educational Outreach Program combines individual and group vocal instruction by Music of the Baroque chorus members with exposure to high-quality musical performances.

Outreach teachers work with chorus directors in partner schools to create individualized programs that fit each school’s needs, selecting from a range of activities including private voice lessons, small group vocal instruction and choral coaching, master classes, and several other types of in-school events. All activities, as well as teaching materials developed and produced by Music of the Baroque, are offered at no cost to students.

The program impacts young musicians’ lives in many different ways. Students learn proper vocal technique, improve their performance skills, and increase their familiarity with classical repertoire. The program’s influence reaches outside the chorus room as well. Students report that the sense of accomplishment gained through participating in music helps them in other classes, while interpersonal skills such as working as a team and understanding individual responsibility extend to team sports, after-school activities, and relationships with friends and family.

Music of the Baroque currently works with five partner schools—Hubbard High School, Kelly High School, Kelvyn Park High School, Lake View High School, and Lane Technical High School.

External links

• www.baroque.org