Chicago a cappella Announces Virtual Season Subscription

CHICAGO — Due to the ongoing threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, Chicago a cappella has made the decision to cancel all of its in-person concerts originally scheduled for the 2020-2021 season and remount those performances during the 2021-2022 season.

In their place, the organization instead will offer subscribers a robust line-up of virtual programs, including on-demand videos of past live concerts, monthly virtual choir videos, access to a monthly podcast where artists and their guests will share recordings from past performances and discuss a wide range of topics, as well as virtual chats with Chicago a cappella artists as they discuss a specific piece of music.

The virtual subscriptions are on sale now for $100. The new virtual programming will be offered beginning in October, and subscribers will have access to the exclusive content through May 2021.

Also, should circumstances change in the next few months and Chicago a cappella is able to perform any in-person events, virtual subscribers will receive free tickets to these performances.

“We have spent many weeks researching safety concerns; discussing options with our concert venues, staff, board, singers and directors; and reviewing survey results from our subscribers. Sadly, we have concluded that we must forego all live performances, for now,” says Matthew Greenberg, Chicago a cappella’s executive director. “But the new virtual programming we have planned for the ’20-’21 season will give audiences new musical performances and more ways to interact and connect. And, if things change and we are able to perform live, our subscribers will have free tickets already booked!”

In addition to providing programs exclusively for subscribers, Chicago a cappella will make certain programs available on an individual ticket basis and will also produce additional virtual content that will be available to the public.

Some of the highlights of the virtual subscription package include:

• On-Demand Videos of Past Live Performances
  Subscribers will have access to recordings of two full-length concerts, “Holidays a cappella” (originally performed in 2019) and “The History of Rock and Soul with Terri Hemmert” (originally performed in 2016), each available online for a full month. “Holidays a cappella” will be available in December 2020 and “The History of Rock and Soul” will be available in of February 2021.
  
• Educational Webinars
  
• Monthly Virtual Choir Video Series
  This new series of virtual performances will include a new song each month—not available publicly on Facebook or other platforms. Subscribers will receive exclusive access to these performances, featuring a wide range of musical genres including pop and jazz, classical, contemporary, world music, and more.

• Monthly Podcast Series, Bridging the Gap
  This monthly podcast, curated by Chicago a cappella Creative Consultant Kathryn Kamp and hosted by the ensemble’s singers and members of its artistic team, takes listeners behind the scenes and explores musical—and non-musical—topics related to Chicago a cappella’s music and artists. Each episode includes recordings from past Chicago a cappella concerts and conversations that connect music to the broader community.

• Listening Club
  These virtual gatherings with Chicago a cappella artists will be curated by new artistic director John William Trotter, with each one centering on a different piece of music. Subscribers will have the opportunity to listen to the music and study the score in advance, then discuss the piece with singers and others from the artistic team. There will be four virtual gatherings, each covering a different topic, with the first gathering in November. Think of it as an “a cappella book club”!

Subscribers will also have access to educational webinars, including one of Chicago a cappella’s most popular outreach offerings, Joe Labozetta’s vocal percussion workshop.

Virtual subscriptions may be purchased at any time, however, subscribers will have access to the full array of products if they register no later than Nov. 1. To sign up for Chicago a cappella’s virtual subscription, please visit chicagoacappella.org/subscriptions.

Chicago a cappella

Chicago a cappella is one of the area’s most accomplished and innovative vocal ensembles. Spanning a repertoire from Gregorian chant to the Beatles and beyond, the group’s vocal virtuosity and eclectic programs have earned a reputation for leadership in the choral field. Founded in 1993, the 10-voice ensemble has been heard frequently on radio and has produced nine CD recordings, including releases on the Cedille, Centaur, and Gothic labels. Chicago a cappella has been hailed as “the area’s best unaccompanied group” (Chicago Magazine) and “the city’s liveliest, most versatile vocal ensemble” (Chicago Tribune).