Founded in 1981, Oak Park Concert Chorale is a classical choral ensemble that specializes in both a cappella and accompanied performances. Our new artistic director and conductor, Paul Laprade, will continue to foster the traditions lovingly cultivated by Paul Lindblad during his many years of tenure: classical a cappella music, premiering works by local composers, and music education. Paul Laprade will seek to continue improving and expanding the sound, choral programming and singing membership of OPCC.
In appreciation of his 43 years of commitment to OPCC, the Board of Directors bestowed upon Paul Lindblad the honorary title of conductor emeritus. We appreciate his advice and guidance and look forward to his participation in future concerts by conducting one of the program selections.
We hope you will join us for our Christmas concert A Feast of Carols: A Festive Concert in Honor of Paul Lindblad on November 24 at 4pm at St John Lutheran Church in Forest Park. Hear a concert of unique settings of classic carols, from arrangers old and new, to bring the season to light in our hearts and minds. The program includes Elizabeth Poston’s setting of the early American carol Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.We will premiere three exciting carol settings by Paul Lindblad, Harvey Hahn and Paul Ayres of O Radiant Dawn, In the Bleak Mid-Winter, and This is the Truth Sent from Above, as well as the first performance of a lovely Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis from the archives of Carl Schalk. We look forward to having you join us for this festive performance. Watch our website in mid-October for updates and a link to Eventbrite to purchase advance tickets. https://oakparkconcertchorale.org/concerts/
Auditions for spring semester take place on Saturday December 14 between 10am-1pm
If you love to sing, consider auditioning to join us for our spring semester that starts January 7, 2025 with a concert on Sunday April 6 titled Death, Prophesies, and Spirituals. For more details, please fill out our online audition request form or email us. Alternate audition dates can be arranged. www.oakparkconcertchorale.org/audition email: info@oakparkconcertchorale.org
OPCC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and a grant from Oak Park Area Arts Council, in partnership with the Village of Oak Park, the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Paul Laprade, Artistic Director & Conductor
Paul Laprade is an award-winning conductor, lecturer, and teacher of choral music and music theory/composition. He is a graduate of Eastman School of Music and Westminster Choir College with multiple music degrees. He is director of music of the New England Congregational Church in Aurora, artistic director of Tutti Voce Collective in Joliet, and president of the Illinois American Choral Directors’ Association.
Paul Lindblad, Conductor Emeritus
Paul Lindblad has been with OPCC since its inception in 1981, and the chorale’s director since 2001. Trained at Concordia University Chicago, where he received his undergraduate and master’s degrees, he has done extensive studies in organ performance, vocal technique, and conducting, including with international Kodály music education specialist Katinka Daniel. In 2024 he stepped down from OPCC, which bestowed on him the title of conductor emeritus.