CURRENT SEASON
In Progressions, the Chamber Chorus explores transitions in time, space, emotion and even element. We reaffirm our commitment to unaccompanied singing by performing a cappella works from beloved composers as well as newer pieces sure to garner a place in the unaccompanied pantheon. Our audiences know us for stretching ourselves artistically, and we fulfill that mission with new music from Kerensa Briggs, Yakov Gubanov, and Dobrinka Tabakova, all of whom will fly here for the premieres. We also revisit our past commissions with fresh eyes.
Highlights of the season include music by women composers featured at every concert. Pillars of the repertoire also include a rarely heard mass by Orlandus Lassus and Hugo Distler’s cantata recounting the Christmas story. Here is music of unparalleled quality, performed to perfection by St. Louis’s premier a cappella choir. In six distinct venues from Creve Coeur to St. Charles and downtown St. Louis, join us for this unique musical journey.
We will hold each presentation on a Sunday from 3 pm to about 4:30 pm.
*work written or edited for the Chamber Chorus
Darkness to Light
St. Louis Abbey
500 S. Mason Rd., Creve Coeur, 63141
To open the season we present a Missa Brevis written for the Chamber Chorus by a shining light of new music in Europe, Dobrinka Tabakova.* Her work will be complemented by polychoral works from Edward Naylor, John Rutter and Steven Stucky.*
10.2.22
3pm
Water to Wine
Ursuline Academy
341 S. Sappington Rd., St. Louis, 63122
We offer songs in praise of wine, both literal and metaphorical, in pieces by Margaret Sandresky, E. J. Moeran and David Matthews.* A rarely heard Renaissance piece, the Missa Vinum Bonum by Orlandus Lassus completes a program that’s full bodied but not fruity.
11.13.22
3pm
Advent to Christmas
Union Avenue Christian Church
733 Union Blvd., St. Louis, 63108
Written in the face of Nazi aggression, Hugo Distler’s Christmas cantata is a landmark of German sacred music. Its reflective notes contrast with the obvious joy of carols from Charles Collins,* Sasha Johnson Manning,* and Ivan Moody.*
12.18.22
3pm
Depth to Height
Third Baptist Church
620 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 63103
A new song cycle from Kerensa Briggs* introduces a program of extremes, from the depth of despondency evoked by Carl Rütti* to the highest praise aroused by Magnus Williamson.* Much of this music is dedicated to the late Sarah Bryan Miller, music critic and friend.
2.19.23
3pm
Despair to Hope
Immanuel Lutheran Church
115 S. 6th St., St. Charles, 63301
This beautifully restored landmark hosts revelatory works by Knut Nystedt and Stephen Paulus,* together with motets from Gabriele Fattorini* and Clare Maclean.* Ukrainian composer Yakov Gubanov* offers a newly revised cantata about redemption, … and lead them to Paradise.
4.16.23
3pm
Death to Life
St. Margaret of Scotland
3854 Flad Ave., St. Louis, 63110
We reprise the transcendent Requiem from Sasha Johnson Manning,* as well as other works suited to the spirit of Memorial Day from Jacob Handl and Melissa Dunphy.* The season closes with a setting of a Sophocles chorus newly translated by the Chorus’ own Philip Barnes and set by Kerensa Briggs.
5.28.23
3pm