This is Christopher's ninth year organizing the popular holiday concert series, which returns December 3-13 to HWLC's beautiful Grand Lobby.
Q: Can you give us a little history about the holiday concert series?
A: Phil Turner, a very creative and talented person, was the CPL librarian who started it all just after the building opened in 1991. He was inspired by the Under the Picasso events at Daley Plaza and thought an "Under the Lawrence" series would work here [ed. - Jacob Lawrence is the artist who created the mosaic in HWLC's Grand Lobby]. A few years later, Geri Meade of our Corporate & Private Events department took the reins and helped it grow.
Q: Who performs?
A: Since I was given responsibility for the “Holiday Concerts” in 2004, I’ve tried to invite perennial favorites like Schurz, Curie, and Lincoln high schools back, as well as offer a chance for other community groups to visit us. This year, The Pippins, a Renaissance madrigal group and the Chicago Chapter of The American Recorder Society will be making their very first appearances at the Library - something a little different than we’ve had before.
Q: How did you find these new groups?
A: Usually they find me. I welcome any school or community group interested in being a part of the “Holiday Concerts” to email me (cpopa@chipublib.org) to try to arrange a suitable date. I begin booking dates in September, after the schools return from summer recess.
Q: What do you enjoy best about the concerts?
A: I’m pleased by seeing people smile, or tapping their foot or singing or clapping along to the music. Maybe the nicest compliment to the Library is that many of the schools want to keep coming back, year after year.
Check the events calendar for details on times and performers.
