This season’s first concerts by Bella Voce will also formally introduce its new music director, Andrew Lewis, a former ensemble member and also director of such groups as the Elgin Choral Union, the Lutheran Choir of Chicago and founder and conductor of the early music orchestra and chorus, the Janus Ensemble, and who studied with such choral luminaries as Robert Shaw, Dale Warland, Helmuth Rilling and CSO Chorus director Duain Wolf. The seasonal repertoire includes hymns to Mary and Nativity settings by Pärt, Lauridsen, Whitacre, Lange-Müller, Hassler and Victoria. (Dennis Polkow)
St. James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron, 7:30pm. $15-$35.
Dennis Polkow is an award-winning veteran journalist, critic, author, broadcaster and educator. He made his stage debut at age five, was a child art prodigy and began playing keyboards in clubs at the age of fourteen. He holds degrees in music theory, composition, religious studies and philosophy from DePaul University in Chicago. Polkow spent his early years performing and recording in rock and jazz bands while concertizing as a classical pianist, organist and harpsichordist and composing, arranging and producing for other artists. As a scholar, Polkow has published and lectured extensively and taught at several colleges and universities in various departments. As an actor, narrator and consultant, Polkow has been involved with numerous films, plays, broadcasts and documentaries. As a journalist, Polkow helped co-create the experiential Chicago Musicale and Spotlight, the award-winning tabloid arts and entertainment section of the Press Publications chain of newspapers, which he later edited. He also created and ran the nationally recognized journalism program at Oakton College and was faculty advisor to its award-winning student newspaper; many former students went on to major media careers, including Channel Awesome’s the Nostalgia Critic. Polkow’s research, interviews, features, reviews and commentaries have appeared across national and international media and he has corresponded from the Middle East, Asia and Africa for the Chicago Tribune. Contact: dpolkow25@aol.com
