Our Next Performance

Comfort and Consolation
Mourning into Joy                           

March 10, 2012, Saturday, 7:30 PM
Madonna della Strada Chapel (venue info)
Loyola University
1032 West Sheridan Road, Chicago
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March 11, 2012, Sunday at 3:00 PM
Emmanuel Episcopal Church (venue info)
203 South Kensington Ave, La Grange
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This is the Chicago premiere of British composer Gabriel Jackson’s Requiem, an important and mesmerizing new work that combines sections of the traditional Requiem text with poems from other cultures and traditions. Jackson has created a work which embraces a wide-ranging perspective on human mortality. Each movement is given a different character and musical style, and the result is a unique, sublime work which is filled with comfort and peace. The program will include a new work by Maestro Paul French composed for this anniversary season.

Future Performances

Showstoppers and Premieres
Choirs, Organ, Trumpets and Drums
with the Loyola University Chorus & Chamber Singers 

April 28, 2012, Saturday, 7:30 PM
Madonna della Strada Chapel (venue info)
Loyola University
1032 West Sheridan Road, Chicago
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April 29, 2012, Sunday at 3:00 PM
Emmanuel Episcopal Church (venue info)
203 South Kensington Ave, La Grange
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Our season finale is a sonic spectacular that will bring heaven to earth and raise earth to heaven with glorious music.The world premiere of an early work by William Ferris, his thundering Te Deum, and his roof-raising arrangement of Widor’s famous toccata, Festival Alleluias, anchor a program that also features music of Delius, Hoiby, Sowerby, Poulenc and Mathias.

Past Performances of the Season

Make We Joy
Music Celebrating the Feast of Christmas

December 4, 2011, Sunday, 3:00 PM
Emmanuel Episcopal Church (venue info)
203 South Kensington Ave, La Grange
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December 10, 2011, Saturday at 7:30 PM
Madonna della Strada Chapel (venue info)
Loyola University
1032 West Sheridan Road, Chicago
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The Chorale’s Christmas concert is a perennial favorite. This year’s edition includes music inspired by Piero Della Francesca’s Nativity, William Ferris’s Make We Joy tells the Christmas story with a colorful cast of characters including singing angels and a forest full of chirping birds all lending their voices to the celebration of the great feast of Christmas. The first half of the program holds noble polyphony and frolicsome carols!


40th Anniversary Season

Imagine: Anniversary Gala

Imagine GalaThe William Ferris Chorale celebrates its 40th anniversary with a very special event. Join us for a festive blend of food and drink, a knockout silent auction, and the Chorale singing the Beatles!
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To Dream and Remember: The 40th Anniversary Season

Over its 40-year history the Ferris Chorale has thrilled audiences in its hometown Chicago, across the country and around the world. Our concert tours have taken us to prestigious international music festivals and our internationally broadcast recordings have brought the joy of our music making to hundreds of thousands of listeners.

To mark this milestone anniversary year the Chorale will dream and remember: dream about the wonderful new music the future holds and remember our important premieres and performances from seasons past. We’ll sing music by our favorite composers and introduce a few works by some soon to become favorite composer friends too. All in all, this anniversary season is truly exciting and, as always, full of variety and splendid melody.

Read Wynne Delacoma’s retrospective article on our 40 years.

Audio Clips

Toward the Unknown Region
Highlights of 35 magnificent seasons.

Christ is Risen, Truly Risen
Mystical and moving music by the Trappist monk Chrysogonus Waddell. Sample clip: Easter Gospel Acclamation.

Hear audio clips from more of our CD recordings.

University Names Chorale Artist-in-Residence

Loyola University Chicago logoThe William Ferris Chorale has been named Artist-in-Residence at Loyola University Chicago. We are proud to be a part of the Loyola family!

Latest Recording

American Choral PremieresAmerican Choral Premieres
Sacred and spiritual works by nine contemporary composers including Paul French, Alan Hovhaness, Paul Nicholson, William Ferris and George Rochberg. Buy CD and more info button