Inspired by NPR series by same name, Chicago a cappella presents AMERICAN ANTHEM which the concert creator Kathryn Kamp talks about in this preview interview
When and Where:
Fri., 10/11/19, 8:00 pm - Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL
Sun., 10/13/19, 3:00 pm - Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park, IL
Sat., 10/26/19, 3:00 pm - Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL
Sun., 10/27/19, 7:30 pm - Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL
From the stages of Chicago’s Pritzker Pavilion and Chicago Shakespeare Theater to Frank Lloyd Wright’s concert hall at Taliesin and Muddy River Opera Company in Southern Illinois, Kathryn Kamp has created a career spanning oratorio, opera, operetta and music theater. She is also a driving force behind the upcoming series by Chicago a cappella called American Anthem. Here, Picture this Post (PTP) asks Kathryn Kamp (KK) to explain how this concert came about and what to expect at the upcoming performances.
(PTP) How did you come up with the idea for the concert?
(KK) I was literally standing at my kitchen sink when I heard the first segment of NPR’s American Anthem series on the radio. I was immediately intrigued by the theme and made a point of listening to new episodes as they were released. In the back of my mind I thought it could be a great theme for a fun, interesting, and entertaining Chicago a cappella concert, and after hearing the first eight episodes, I knew that I was right.
How did you select the songs that are featured in the concert? What criteria did the songs have to meet? What qualifies as an anthem?
The songs NPR featured in their series really form the basis for this program. From that list I had to consider many factors including (in no particular order): Which songs had arrangements already published and available for purchase that were suitable for Chicago a cappella; which songs we could not commission arrangements for because the rights are not available or are too expensive; and how songs that are available can be crafted into a nice arc and storyline for the audience. Sometimes there are great songs that just don’t have the perfect slot in the show for one reason or another and it can’t make the final cut. Programming is really a delicate balance of many factors.
As for what qualifies, the NPR series describes the criteria for an anthem as "a rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause," though they admit that each of their picks might fill those criteria in a different way. Each one has power beyond the literal meaning of the song, and that opens up a wonderfully wide selection of music.
Was it difficult to finding enough songs to fill the list? And were there songs that you wanted to include but had to cut?
The difficulty was not in finding enough songs, but in finding the right overall balance for the final list. Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, Barber’s Adagio for Strings, TLC’s No Scrubs, and Twisted Sister’s We’re Not Gonna Take It are a few of the many songs I really wish I could have included in this program. Since new episodes in the NPR series are still being released, the list of songs I wish we could present is growing! I always say that for every program I create there are probably two additional complete programs of songs that didn’t make the final cut. This program is no exception to that rule!
Were any of the songs difficult to adapt for an a cappella vocal ensemble?
I am not an arranger myself, but I know there are all kinds of considerations when arranging an a cappella piece that was originally was scored for a big band, an orchestra, a rock band, or whatever else. The arranger has to decide if they are going to transcribe as literally as possible (emulating exactly what is on the original) or if they will take an entirely different approach to the song. If they choose to insert vocal lines that sound instrumental they need to decide which words/vowels/nonsense syllables to use. The arranger has to figure out how to be sure any solo lines will cut through the texture without using a mic. This program has a nice mix of both as literal a transcription as possible approach as well as the taking liberties to create a different type of arrangement approach.
Do you have a favorite song or arrangement on the list?
I am always excited to show off arrangements that were written especially for Chicago a cappella. This concert includes new arrangements for us by Paul Langford (who has served as Guest Music Director for CAC), Joe Labozetta (a singer and fantastic vocal percussionist in the group), and Patrick Sinozich, who is our Guest Music Director for this concert. These guys know each voice in the ensemble and are able to write for the group as a whole while also capitalizing on the nuances and skills each individual singer brings to the group. We are incredibly fortunate to be able to present their work.
Tell me about your history with Chicago a cappella and creating concerts for them?
I’ve been a member of the ensemble since 2003 and I created my first concert program with them just a few years ago. That was A Night at the Opera, a mix of serious and not-so-serious music that was specifically tailored for the awesome solo voices in Chicago a cappella. That was really successful, so I was asked to put together the holiday concert last year, in December 2018. American Anthem is my third go-round creating a concert program.
What can audiences expect if they’ve never heard Chicago a cappella before?
Think of a group of 10 singers – the best solo voices you’ll hear in Chicago – coming together as a beautifully blended whole. No conductor, just the purity of those harmonies and voices. The singers are all classically trained and perform with the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera, and other world class institutions, but they have amazing stylistic flexibility. So when they sing Lady Gaga’s Born this Way, it really rocks.
What would you like audiences to take away from the American Anthem concert experience?
I hope they will not only enjoy the great musical experience – cool arrangements of great songs, beautifully sung —but also learn about and reflect on the stories behind the songs, and why they are considered anthems. These songs all call on us to care about something greater than ourselves, and hopefully to get involved in our communities and our country.
Tickets:
$20+
For full price tickets and ticket availability visit Chicago Acappella or by calling (773) 281-7820
Photos courtesy of Chicago a cappella
