Sundays at Rockefeller
The interior of Rockefeller Chapel.
Photo by Dan Dry.
Rockefeller Chapel Choir, directed by James Kallembach.
Photo by Jackie Todd.
Sundays at 11 am
As the glorious architecture of this historic Chapel prompts, Sunday worship at Rockefeller draws broadly upon the beauty of cathedral tradition, and also incorporates wisdom and musical and liturgical resources from many times and places. The sacrament of bread and wine is offered to all who wish to receive. All are welcome at the table, always. Childcare is offered for small children.
Upcoming Sundays
June 23
Gabriel Fauré Messe basse sung by
the Decani
June 30
Traditional spirituals sung by Chapel
Choir artists in residence
July 7
Music of Aaron Copland sung by
Chapel Choir artists in residence
July 14
Members of Rockefeller Chapel Choir
sing Mozart Missa Brevis K192 with organ
July 21
Music of Monteverdi for two tenors,
and other music from St. Mark’s Venice
July 28
Members of the Rockefeller Chapel
Choir sing Harold Darke Mass in F
August 4
Music for flute and soprano
featuring artist in residence Kaitlin Foley
August 11
Keith Murphy leads the Decani
in Flemish motets (from Belgium and the
Netherlands) from the sixteenth century
August 18
Special guests The Rookery men’s
choir sing sacred American folksongs
August 25
Artists in residence Kaitlin Foley
and Lon Ellenberger sing selections from
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi Stabat Mater
Rockefeller Chapel Choir
One of the oldest choral ensembles in the Chicago area, the Chapel Choir is composed of auditioned members from the University and the community. The choir continues its tradition of presenting sacred choral masterpieces from around the world in concert and worship, including choral evensongs each quarter. Charles Montgomery Gray Scholars are undergraduate students who play a leading role in the Chapel Choir, funded by generous gifts given in Charles Montgomery Gray memory. The Decani, formerly the Rockefeller Sixteen, specialize in offering early music and other music suited to a small vocal ensemble.
The beautiful sound of the Chapel Choir rehearsing sacred masterworks of all musical styles and periods may be heard Thursday evenings, 7 pm to 8:15 pm during autumn, winter and spring academic terms.
The E.M. Skinner Organ
The magnificent E.M. Skinner pipe organ, opus 634, can be heard during Sunday services, in concert (for example the June 2nd Gala concert), and in recital on Tuesdays at 4:30 pm for Tea and Pipes.
The Laura Spelman Rockefeller Carillon
The 72-bell Laura Spelman Rockefeller carillon, installed in the Chapel in 1932, is played following Sunday services at 12:15 pm and at 12 noon and 5 pm during the week throughout the academic year.
Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, and Easter at Rockefeller
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday February 13
Services of imposition of ashes at Bond Chapel
at 7:30 am and 7 pm (with Communion); and
“ashes to go” until 9 am at Bond Chapel, and
from 9 am to 5 pm at Rockefeller Chapel
Palm Sunday
March 24 at 11 am, the Passion texts in
Victoria’s Renaissance setting; and at 3 pm,
Johann Sebastian Bach St. John Passion, sung
by the Chicago Chorale
Maundy Thursday
March 28 at 7 pm
The Spektral Quartet, ensemble in residence at
the University of Chicago Department of Music,
plays Franz-Joseph Haydn Seven Last Words in
the context of the traditional Maundy Thursday
liturgy
Good Friday
March 29 at 12 noon, Good Friday vigil; and at
7 pm, Marcel Dupré Le Chemin de la Croix, with
Thomas Weisflog, organ
Easter Sunday
Festival Eucharist at 11 am
The Rockefeller Chapel Choir and Orchestra
present Antonio Vivaldi’s exuberant Gloria, with
the traditional glorious sounds of Easter hymns
accompanied by organ and orchestra
Dean Elizabeth Davenport