CHICAGO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
 
         
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Preston Bradley Hall - September 30, 2008
     
       
     
 

STEPHEN BOE
Soloist

received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Indiana University School of Music, where he was an assistant to Henryk Kowalski, Josef Gingold, and Franco Gulli. Mr. Boe subsequently served on the School of Music faculty as an Assistant Professor of Violin. He has also been a member of the faculty of DePauw University and Ohio University. In 1991, Mr. Boe was a Prizewinner in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. From 1993 to 1995 he performed as an Artist in Residence for the National Endowment for the Arts in its Rural Residency Program. As a concertmaster, Mr. Boe has led the orchestra for the Joffrey Ballet, the Chicagoland Pops, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra and the Indiana University Festival Orchestra. Mr. Boe has given masterclasses at the Beijing Central Conservatory and the Royal College of Music in Sweden.

 
       
     
 

FATHER EDWARD McKENNA
Composer

is a Chicago native. Violinist, composer, conductor and priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago since 1965. His first teachers were George Perlman in violin and Bernard Dieter in composition at Chicago Conservatory from which he earned the B.M. degree. Following advance studies in theory and composition with Ralph Shapey, Easley Blackwood and Edward Lowinsky he obtained the A.M. degree from the University of Chicago. During a two-year residence in Paris he benefited from the tutelage of Nadia Boulanger, Olivier Messiaen, and Joseph Gelineau. He subsequently was awarded the Diploma from the Institute Catholique de Paris. His musical experiences abroad also include a two-year reidence at the Vatican Sistine Choir in Rome.

 
  Compositions by Fr. McKenna include two operas on Irish themes, “The Magic Cup” and "The Death of Michael Collins" with librettos by Fr. Andrew Greeley, a Piano concerto, three violin concertos, a Concerto for two Cellos for the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, many hymn, secular, instrumental and vocal works, notably "Stars of Glory" for the William Ferris Chorale. Fr.McKenna has served as associate editor of “Worship Magazine” and as editor of “The Collegeville Hymnal”. He has served on the faculty of Sherwood School of Music and is currently faculty member of the American Conservatory of Music. Most recently he led his own active and highly successful McKenna Ensemble in the American premiee of the Baroque papal opera, La Comica del Cielo on the occasion of his 70th birthday, October 7, 2009.  
     
   
  Proclamation of Mayor Daley  
     
 
   
  Greetings of Governor Quinn  
 

 

 
     
   
  Chicago Tribune on January 7, 2010  
     

     
 


 
     
 

AMONG DISTINGUISHED FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS . . . . .

Contributions and achievements of the Chicago Chamber Orchestra have been consistently recognized, praised and supported by audiences, critical reviews and personalities of international renown. Visitors to Chicago frequently refer with appreciative communications to the quality of performances that we present free to the public.

Composer Leo Sowerby recommended Dieter Kober and the Chicago Chamber Orchestra as an ideal vehicle for performances of new music. Alexander Tcherepnin’s admiration for the Chicago Chamber Orchestra led to revision of some his compositions, especially to accommodate the smaller size of this ensemble. Rudolph Ganz, mentor of conductor and orchestra, who actively participated in its administration, expressed his solidarity and admiration. When approaching the age of ninety, he insisted on performing his farewell concert as piano soloist at a concert with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra. Chicago Tribune music critic John von Rhein noted the orchestra’s impact on the Chicago scene expressing hope and wishes that it may flourish for ever: “One of the most notable success stories, one in which we can all take pride.” Sun–Times music critic Robert C. Marsh wrote: “Kober lets a concert blossom musically ... winning prestige for Chicago abroad. Chicago’s renowned author Studs Terkel praised the orchestra as “a jewel in Chicago’s crown”. The list of distinguished supporters includes Sir George Solti (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)., Kurt Masur (New York Philharmonic), motion picture autority and critic Roger Ebert, Renowned sculptor Richard Hunt, Illinois Governor and active board member William Stratton, and the late Senator Paul Simon, who joined the Chicago Chamber Orchestra as narrator in Copland´s “Lincoln Portrait”.

 
 
     

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