Grammy-nominated vocal group brings its sounds to Shryock Auditorium tonight

Join Chanticleer tonight and celebrate with these 12 exceptional males 25 years of next-to-perfect rhythm and tone, along with an assorted collection of recordings and "an orchestra of voices."

This ensemble has 23 recordings under its belt, which includes Renaissance sacred music, spirituals, folk songs, Christmas carols and commissioned works from a selection of composers and arrangers.

This Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble will be at Shryock Auditorium tonight at 7:30. Tickets are only $16 for the general public, but senior citizen tickets are $14 and students and children are $8.

But don't wait-Chanticleer's concerts often sell out. A year ago, in St. Louis, organizers of the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica's performance had to put extra seating in the aisles, lodge the overflow in the choir stalls and put standees in the balcony, and that still wasn't enough.

The group, founded in 1978, was named for the "clear-singing" rooster in Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." Louis Botto was founder and original artistic director, and today, Joseph Jennings serves as the director. The phenomenal feature of this all-male ensemble is their knack for singing without the back up of any instruments. Whether they are singing Japanese or Mohican, each piece is a cappella. The program for tonight is based on their latest album, "Our American Journey," released by Teldec last October.

Chanticleer, the only full-time classical vocal ensemble in the United States, performs more than 100 concerts a year and has traveled all over the world, including to most of the U.S. and also Toronto, Tokyo and Paris. Since 1994, when Chanticleer became exclusive to Teldec Classics International, they have not only been able to perform anywhere in the world, but their records have also been available worldwide.

Some popular pieces include "Colors of Love," which won them a Grammy for Best Small Ensemble Performance. Some fans may recognize "Magnificat," a CD of early music devoted to the Virgin Mary, which has now been made available on DVD-A. It made it to the top 5 on the Billboard's Classical Chart.

The ensemble kicked off its anniversary season on Sept. 30, 2002, with the publication of the group's "Silver Jubilee Anthology of Choral Music." The anthology, published by Hinshaw Music of Chapel Hill, N.C., comprises scores and commentary on 17 pieces that have been performed by Chanticleer. Chanticleer Music Director Joseph Jennings and tenor Matthew Oltman served as editors of the anthology.

This season includes four themed concert programs showcasing the ensemble's versatility in music; approximately 100 concerts including two European tours. The season closes on June 15 with "25 and Counting!"- a free concert dedicated to the people of San Francisco in celebration of Chanticleer's 25th anniversary. Also, Chanticleer will tour to 23 states as well as to France, Luxembourg, Italy, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and Bermuda.

Look for premieres by works of Brent Michael Davids, Jackson Hill, Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, and Steven Stucky in this season as well. On Jan. 7, Chanticleer received two nominations for 2002 Grammy Awards. The ensemble's recording of John Tavener's "Lamentations and Praises" was nominated in the Classical Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without conductor) category, and Sir John's "Lamentations and Praises" was nominated for Best Classical Contemporary Composition.

The winners will be announced at the 45th Grammy Awards ceremony Feb. 23 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The world sees the exquisite talent showcases of Chanticleer; now it's Carbondale's turn.

Chanticleer will perform at 7:30 tonight at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are $16 for the public, $14 for senior citizens and $8 for students and children.