History of the Naperville Chorus

The Naperville Chorus has been filling the western suburbs of Chicago with song since 1976. With over 100 voices, the chorus performs a broad repertoire, which has included classical choral works by composers such as Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, Mozart and Vivaldi; as well as 20th century pieces by Prokofiev, Rutter and Orff; reggae-style Christmas carols, Broadway show tunes, and the motet composed to honor Naperville-native Commander Daniel Shanower, killed in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.

The origins of the chorus go back more than 100 years to the formation of the Oratorio Society, a collaboration between students and townspeople. The Society continued through the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1960s, Dr. Paul Warren Allen of the North Central College Music Department melded the vocal talents of students, college personnel, and community members into a forerunner of the Naperville Chorus. The North Central College Community Chorus flourished and performed contemporary and traditional choral works until 1971, when financial cutbacks at the college eliminated the Music Department.

In 1976, Robert O. Jaynes revived the concept of a community-wide chorus for Naperville, anchored by singers recruited to perform with the Naperville Municipal Band at the city’s celebration of the country’s bicentennial. Reincarnated as the Naperville Community Chorus, the group presented concerts semi-annually, and soon added appearances at the downtown Christmas tree lighting ceremony and at summer band concerts.

With the retirement of Mr. Jaynes in 1989, the chorus entered a new era. Professor Jeordano Martínez, of the restored Music Department at North Central College, accepted the chorus directorship, re-establishing the musical link between the community and the college.

During the 34-year tenure of Director Martínez, the chorus thrived. In the spring of 1992, the chorus dropped “community” from its name in recognition of the breadth of its membership, which now includes singers from across the Chicagoland area. The chorus has engaged in a number of collaborations with area groups including, the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Bar Association Orchestra, the Naperville Municipal Band, and Downers Grove Choral Society, and has performed on tours in Central Europe, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. Members of the chorus participated in the 2018 National Memorial Day Choral Festival in 2018.

In spring of 2023, upon Mr. Martinez’s retirement, the chorus welcomed a new director, Reid Taylor. Mr. Taylor is expanding our repertoire and introducing us to new collaborations and exciting opportunities. Throughout its history, the Naperville Chorus has been dedicated to the advancement of choral music, the encouragement of participation in choral singing, and the development of the appreciation of good music. The chorus fulfills this mission through the support of its membership, North Central College, the Special Events and Community Arts Fund of Naperville, the Illinois Arts Council, and the generosity of donors.