The very morning after Q.E.D., our last concert of the year, the men of CMAC woke up bright and early for our final gig, this time at the Alumni Convocation. We sang the traditional folk song Shenandoah in memory of departed alumni, as well as the old favorite, I’m Strong for Chicago, for this year’s alumni medal winner, Professor Gary Becker.
We would like to cordially invite you to our end of the year concert, QED!
Tickets will be $10, $5 with UCID.
This year, our last concert will take place at Augustana Lutherin Church,
Located at the corner of 55th and Woodlawn Avenue.
The reviews have flooded in, and CMAC’s performance, along with Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest and other eminent Chicago-area choirs, was a great success!
This was a grand undertaking for us, and we were thrilled to have been a part of such an occasion. We are very grateful for the opportunity to be able to perform on stage with extremely talented musicians and be directed by Jay Friedman. We would like to thank all of our friends, family, and patrons for attending the concert and supporting us the entire way. Most importantly, we would like to express undying gratitude to our conductor, Bruce Tammen, for the way he has taught, led, and mentored us in musicianship and life.
The reviews below were posted the day after the concert:
Chicago Tribune wrote:
On Monday, forces were just under 350, which was adequate to Mahler’s intent of getting “the whole universe … to ring and resound.”…
Music director Jay Friedman frequently pushed his forces to their limits, pressing on relentlessly in the extroverted first part and slowing dramatically for the open-hearted euphoria of Part Two. …
But when the double chorus sang and the eight vocalists relaxed, you often felt dedication that made up for a sagging orchestral line or forced vocal solo.
Chicago Classical Review wrote:
What was striking, however, was how much of the grandeur, excitement and beauty of this extraordinary work was communicated, and indeed, came through with great force and eloquence. From the bracing opening organ blast and choral explosion of Veni creator spiritus, we were launched on our way. …
The combined choral forces sang with surprising cohesion and clarity, rising to the majestic challenges of Part Two with aplomb. Kudos to Friedman, the orchestra’s management and all involved for their can-do spirit in not only attempting to scale Mahler’s massive symphony but doing so successfully.