CHICAGO A CAPPELLA HIGHLIGHTS THE IMAGINATION OF JEWISH COMPOSERS AT ITS SEASON-OPENING CONCERTS

CHICAGO–Chicago a cappella explores the rich musical diversity of Jewish composers at the acclaimed vocal ensemble’s upcoming concert, Funny, That Doesn’t Sound Jewish. Spanning four centuries, the program features works by Salamone Rossi, Mendelssohn, Bernstein, Irving Berlin, and Chicago-area composers including Max Janowski and Stacy Garrop. Garrop's piece, Give Me Hunger, was originally commissioned by Chanticleer, but she has adapted it for mixed voices for this concert. With styles ranging from opera and oratorio to Yiddish song and Broadway standard, the concert explores the dynamic influences of religion and society on composers whose music does —and doesn’t—sound Jewish.

Funny, That Doesn’t Sound Jewish will take place Sunday, Oct. 8 at 4:00 pm at Congregation Beth Shalom, 772 W. 5th Avenue, Naperville, IL; Saturday, Oct. 14 at 8:00 pm at K.A.M. Isaiah Israel, 1100 E. Hyde Park Boulevard, Chicago, IL; Sunday, Oct. 15 at 4:00 pm at West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Avenue, River Forest, IL; Sunday, Oct. 22 at 4:00 pm at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL. For tickets and information, visit www.chicagoacappella.org or call (773) 281-7820.

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 is presenting its 25th season under founding Artistic Director Jonathan Miller.  This season’s concerts, prepared by Principal Music Director John William Trotter and renowned guest music directors, will be presented at eleven venues in the Chicago area.The ensemble has been hailed as “the area’s best unaccompanied group” (Chicago Magazine) and “the city’s liveliest, most versatile vocal ensemble” (Chicago Tribune).