About The Chorale

South Holland Master Chorale’s 90-plus active members have a long history as one of the premiere singing ensembles of the Chicago Southland.

The Chorale grew from a group that began in the early 1970s under the direction of the late J. Albert Kindig at what was then Thornton Junior College, later renamed South Suburban College in South Holland, where the group was known for many years as South Suburban Chorale. Under the direction of Albert M. Jackson from 1998 until 2022, the Chorale now receives financial support from the Village of South Holland, from which it takes its current name.

The Chorale draws singers from no fewer than 40 cities and villages extending from the South Side of Chicago to Kankakee and from Orland Park to Chesterton, Indiana. Broadly diverse and proudly non-discriminatory, the Chorale enjoys membership from across a wide range of demographics. The Chorale has always remained a non-auditioned group – all who love fine choral music and are willing to work hard to bring it to perfection are welcome, regardless of previous choral experience.

Now under the direction of Philip J. Bauman, South Holland Master Chorale remains the Chicago Southland’s premiere symphonic chorus, having performed many of the greatest masterpieces of classical choral and choral/orchestral literature.

Over its long existence, the Chorale has performed throughout the Chicago south suburbs and Northwest Indiana, presenting major works such as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” with the LaPorte (Ind.) Symphony, Mozart’s “Requiem” and Bernstein’s “Mass” with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Mozart’s Grand Mass in C minor with the Chicago Community Chorus, as well as Mendelssohn’s “Hymn of Praise” and contemporary American composer Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living.”

The Chorale also has gained a reputation for stirring performances of songs in the African-American spiritual tradition by composers and arrangers such as Moses Hogan, Jester Hairston, Roland Carter and others.

In 2011, Chorale members embarked on a concert tour of Europe, singing to enthusiastic audiences in the cathedrals of Salzburg, Vienna, Mondsee and Melk, Austria, and Prague, Czech Republic. In 2010, the Chorale received the South Suburban Small Business Association’s Summit Award for Creative Arts.

About Our Accompanist

Marilyn Bourgeois was the accompanist for the Governors State University Chorale under the direction of Rudolf Strukoff from winter of 1978 to spring of 1997, then accompanist for the South Suburban Chorale under the direction of Nick Thomas from fall of 1997, then under the direction of Albert M. Jackson starting in the fall of 1999 and continued to serve with him as the accompanist for the South Holland Master Chorale until Mr. Jackson’s retirement as of June 30, 2022. She will continue to serve as the accompanist of the South Holland Master Chorale under the new direction of Mr. Philip J. Bauman. Marilyn is a member of the music faculty at South Suburban College, South Holland, Illinois, where she teaches piano.

Ms. Bourgeois holds a B.F.A degree from Stephens College and an M.M. degree with high distinction from Indiana University, where she was an Associate Instructor of Piano. Her teachers have included David Milliken and Ania Dorfmann at Stephens College, Jorge Bolet at Indiana University, William Masselos at the Aspen Summer Music Festival, and Jeanne-Marie Darré at the Academie Internationale d’ Ėtė, Nice, France.

Ms. Bourgeois is symphony pianist of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and is widely sought as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the Midwest. She formerly taught piano, piano pedagogy, and humanities at Governors State University. She serves on the Board of Judges of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and holds national certification from Music Teachers National Association. Ms. Bourgeois is listed in American Keyboard Artists.

Vision and Mission Statements

Our Vision:

The South Holland Master Chorale will be a diverse, welcoming community of singers that uses the power of music to heal, enrich and inspire.

Our Mission:

The South Holland Master Chorale’s mission is to use musical performance and innovative community collaboration to inspire, connect and educate, enhancing the quality of life for all. We will accomplish this by:

• Strengthening unity and belonging within the community in collaboration with diverse arts organizations.
• Ensuring sustainability through excellence in management and artistic quality
• Fostering trusting and respectful relationships among participants, patrons, and the public
• Providing lifelong learning opportunities that engage the musical passion of individuals and communities