Poetry & Music: Kay Ryan, Jeff Beal & the Apollo Chorus Choral Performance

Former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize–winner Kay Ryan and composer Jeff Beal, join the Apollo Chorus of Chicago for a reading and concert. Apollo Chorus, one of the oldest volunteer choral societies in the United States and the oldest musical organization in Chicago, performs choral versions of Ryan’s poetry arranged by Beal. Ryan, who was awarded the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize in 2004 and appointed the Library of Congress's 16th poet laureate consultant in poetry in 2008, is the author of many collections of poetry, including Erratic Facts (2015) and the 2011 Pulitzer Prizewinning The Best of It: New and Selected Poems (2010).

A five-time EMMY® winner, Jeff Beal’s music career took off with his work on the acclaimed film Pollock (2000). His TV credits include HBO’s Rome, Carnivále, and the Netflix series House of Cards. His documentary work includes Blackfish, Weiner, The Queen of Versailles, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, & Boston; a documentary about the history of the Boston Marathon. Jeff’s upcoming film projects include Shock and Awe (directed by Rob Reiner) & Bigger (directed by George Gallo).

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago is the area's premier volunteer chorus. Its over 120 auditioned members include men and women of all ages, races, creeds, and occupations brought together by their abiding love of music. The voices of college students blend seamlessly with the voices of retirees who have belonged to Apollo for over fifty years. The singers' dedication, artistry, and passion produce performances of unrivalled majesty. In recent years, the Chorus has performed Mendelssohn's Elijah, Bach's Mass in b minor, Orff's Carmina Burana, and Mozart's Requiem. Apollo's annual performances of Handel's complete Messiah have become a beloved holiday tradition for Chicago families.