North Central choirs meet with British composer Bob Chilcott

Members of North Central College’s choirs met with renowned British composer and conductor Bob Chilcott during a workshop April 30.

Chilcott worked with the College’s Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women’s Chorale. He came to Naperville as part of the upcoming Young Naperville Singers 30th Anniversary Concert held on campus May 4 at Wentz Concert Hall.

About the Women’s Chorale’s performance of his piece “Happy Land,” Chilcott said, “I’ve never heard it sung better.”

Chilcott, known for his compositions for children’s choirs, is a former member of the King’s Singers and is the Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers. He has traveled the world, conducting his original children’s compositions in Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Estonia, Latvia, Germany and the Czech Republic, among other countries.

Ramona Wis, Mimi Rolland Professor in the Fine Arts and professor and chair of music, is director of choral activities at North Central College.