Celebrating his 25th season as chorus director of the Grant Park Music Festival, Christopher Bell has crafted the ensemble into one of the finest in the country. Bell led the Chorus through its 50th anniversary in 2012 with the release of its first ever a cappella recording, Songs of Smaller Creatures and other American Choral Works. In 2025, the Festival released Songs of the Season: A Choral Celebration of Christmas, a collection of carols and contemporary choral favorites showcasing the Grant Park Chorus and led by Bell. Christopher Bell joins WFMT in advance of the two upcoming perfmormances featuring the chorus: Mozart Requiem on August 7+8 and the season finale Beethoven Symphony No. 9 on August 14+15.
Christopher Bell on the Grant Park Chorus
Christopher Bell (Photo by Elliot Mandel)
Playlist
Ned Rorem: “Before the morning star begotten” from Seven Motets for the Church’s Year
Grant Park Chorus/Christopher Bell
Leo Sowerby: The Canticle of the Sun
X. Blessed are they who are found walking by the most holy will.
XI. Praise and bless my Lord…
Grant Park Chorus and Orchestra/Carlos Kalmar
Stacy Garrop: Songs of Desire, Longing and Whimsy
I. Now by this moon, before this moon shall wane
II. TIme does not bring relief, you all have lied
III. I shall forget you presently, my dear
Elizabeth Poston: Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree
Michael John Trotta: Veni, veni, Emmanuel
Morten Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium
Grant Park Chorus/Christopher Bell
James MscMillan: “Identity” from Cantos Sagrados
National Youth Choir of Scotland
Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Christopher Bell
William Schuman: “Song of the Banner” from A Free Song
Grant Park Chorus and Orchestra/Carlos Kalmar
