2018-19 Season ​

INSPIRING PERFORMANCES          REMARKABLE VOICES          POWERFUL SONG

WHAT A ZOO!
featuring Kuang-Hao Huang, Piano
Sarah van der Ploeg, soprano 
Bridget Skaggs, mezzo-soprano
​Zachary Vanderburg, tenor
​David Govertsen, bass-baritone
Our Fifth Season concludes with a field trip to the zoo! Art song composers have looked to the animal kingdom for creative inspiration in their music for generations. We'll present a menagerie of animal-inspired songs by Schubert, Ravel, Tchaikovsky, Libby Larsen, Gwyneth Walker, and Richard Pearson Thomas. Join us as we imagine what life must be like as another creature in What a Zoo!
May 31, 2019 at 7:00pm
Buchanan Chapel - Fourth Presbyterian Church
Chicago, IL
June 2, 2019 at 3:00pm
Performance Penthouse - Logan Center at University of Chicago
Hyde Park, Chicago, IL

Earlier this season

Wine WOmen  and Song
​featuring and curated by Dana Brown, piano
Sarah van der Ploeg, soprano 
Bridget Skaggs, mezzo-soprano
​Zachary Vanderburg, tenor
David Govertsen, bass-baritone
"Who loves not woman, wine and song, remains a fool his whole life long" is actually an English translation of a Martin Luther quote. Who knew that? And what could be more fun to sing about? This is our first ever multi-part concert series, which elevates our signature parlor concert format into a three-part tour of beautiful homes throughout Chicago. Renowned pianist Dana Brown has curated three programs you won't want to miss. Experience song in a unique way in this concert series all about Wine Women & Song.
Concert 1
January 18, 2019 at 7:00pm
in an Oak Park Home
​January 26, 2018 at 7:00pm
in a Gold Coast Home
Concert 2
February 15, 2019 at 7:00pm
in a Lincoln Park Home
February 17, 2019 at 3:00pm
in an Edgewater Home
Concert 3
March 22, 2019 at 7:00pm
in a Printer's Row Home
March 24, 2019 at 3:00pm
​in a River North Home
NIGHT AND DAY
FEATURING MARK BILYEU, PIANO
Sarah van der Ploeg, soprano
Bridget Skaggs, mezzo-soprano
​Zachary Vanderburg, tenor 
Samuel Schultz, baritone
We open our fifth season with a song recital in one of the most beautiful rooms in America.  In Night and Day, we present art songs and vocal chamber music that transport the listener through times of day: beginning with the first morning light and progressing throughout the program to midnight. Fourth Coast favorites pianist Mark Bilyeu and baritone Samuel Schultz perform with the group on a well-rounded program of German Lieder, French mélodie, and American art song.
November 2, 2018 at 7:00pm
Unity Temple
Oak Park, IL
​Includes our 5th SEASON OPENING CELEBRATION!
generously co-sponsored by
Carolyn & Peter Pereira
Theodore N. Foss & Kent S. Dymak
Fourth Coast Ensemble's fifth season
is partially made possible by generous support from
Kathleen Arthur & Stephen Wood