CBA Ode to Joy

year but I did at St. James, in addition to several others, and most notably at The Lincoln Academy of Illinois Gala Event (2017). Singing in the Chorus has enhanced my singing and for that I am grateful and the many friends I have made since joining. Many chorus members have been very supportive in my jazz events and I say ‘Thank You!‘” Fellow tenor and co-chair Bill Nichols says “I joined the Chorus for its fourth season after hearing the Chorus and Orchestra perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah , which I had sung in college. I was impressed with their spirit and discipline. After meeting Becky Patterson, their warm, enthusiastic, and demanding director, after the performance, I knew I wanted to sing with this group! Membership in the Chorus has exceeded my expectations. The repertoire is varied and challenging. The opportunities to sing at Symphony Center, in the old State Capitol Building in Springfield, and in New York City with their Bar Association Chorus, have been memorable. My singing has improved (it had nowhere to go but up!) from the instruction of our directors. And I go home after each weekly rehearsal singing the tunes happily in my head; a nice break and a contrast from constantly worrying about my law work.” Bill adds, “ I am excited that the Chorus is reaching into the Chicago community in new ways. In recent years, members of the Chorus have performed Christmas carols at local hospitals, nursing homes, and other venues. Last year the Chorus was asked to perform at two memorial services as well. Hope that sort of community outreach can grow in the years ahead, to help further the mission of the Chorus and the CBA.” Dolores Kenney, a soprano and original member, adds, “Being a member of the Chorus offers the best of all worlds. Good music, good friendships, good health, and good community service. Music is as essential to living as air, food, and water. The magic of music on our mental health is being scientifically recognized more and more. The Chorus is valuable as a healing resource in our otherwise stress-filled life, and the benefits of our joy flow to those with whom we share it at our concerts.” Suzanne Poulos, soprano section leader, provides this unique perspective. “For me it all started when I saw the announcement in the CBA Newsletter in March 1986 inviting members to form a chamber orchestra. I encouraged my husband, Michael, to start playing the trumpet again and he also became one of the organizational founders. Then a few years later I was asked to play Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy with the CBASO for a holiday concert. My new electronic keyboard had a celesta sound. In those days the keyboard had a full leg base which made it difficult to transport! Eventually I bought two portable keyboards which are now used by both the CBASO and Chorus when we have separate rehearsals or sectionals at the same time. There were other occasional parts for piano and celesta over the years. One that is memorable was playing duet with Michael on several passages in the Shostakovich 5th Symphony . When the Chorus began in 2006 I knew this was a serious yet fun ensemble and made every effort to support its continuation. We have performed interesting and challenging works year after year and I look forward to many more. Also, on a few occasions I have been called upon by the Barristers Big Band to form a small chorus to perform arrangements with the band written especially for us. It is a pleasure to make music, a joy to be a part of these ensembles as they have grown and matured, and to know such fine musicians these past thirty-three years.”

–Program Note by Emily Clott and Catherine Masters

60 ODE TO JOY