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Chicago Symphony Chorus

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The Chicago Symphony Chorus is among the best choruses attached to a world-class symphony orchestra. It was established in 1957, when the music director of the <a href="spotify:artist:6TD08jYeuN128P2MZTbc8E">Chicago Symphony Orchestra</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4nsMLwMcViXAqwTLJ71y8i">Fritz Reiner</a>, engaged <a href="spotify:artist:6hxjVHJn58DZxp5iVje6WE">Margaret Hillis</a> to develop a permanent chorus of a quality fit to partner the <a href="spotify:artist:6TD08jYeuN128P2MZTbc8E">Chicago Symphony Orchestra</a> at its concerts. <a href="spotify:artist:6hxjVHJn58DZxp5iVje6WE">Hillis</a> already had a record of achievement: she was a junior golf champion and a civilian flying instructor for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She studied music at Indiana University and the Juilliard School (she had been a tuba and string bass player in her high school band), became assistant to America's leading choral conductor, <a href="spotify:artist:24K3MJ131xjKnqDf87M3Qm">Robert Shaw</a>, and was conductor of the chorus of the American Opera Society in New York. She quickly fulfilled the mission given her by <a href="spotify:artist:4nsMLwMcViXAqwTLJ71y8i">Reiner</a>, developing one of the world's greatest choral groups.

Recordings of the <a href="spotify:artist:6TD08jYeuN128P2MZTbc8E">Chicago Symphony Orchestra</a> with its chorus have won a number of Grammy Awards. It also appears with visiting symphony orchestras when they wish to perform a choral/orchestral work. The chorus also tours with the orchestra and has been critically acclaimed for its performances in Europe, which include <a href="spotify:artist:11T8SOX82xraocZzUXzkvM">Berlioz</a>'s Damnation of Faust, <a href="spotify:artist:5U827e4jbYz6EjtN0fIDt9">Schoenberg</a>'s Moses und Aron, and <a href="spotify:artist:5wTAi7QkpP6kp8a54lmTOq">Brahms</a>' Requiem.

In 1994 Duain Wolfe succeeded <a href="spotify:artist:6hxjVHJn58DZxp5iVje6WE">Hillis</a> as the chorus' director. He originated the orchestra and chorus' popular Welcome Yule! Christmas concert programs.

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