9 on 9: An Interview with Beethoven 9 Chorus Master John Hughes
What drew you to choral music, and when?
I have been musical my entire life. Many of my favorite childhood memories center on music—playing instruments, singing in church, and participating in school choral programs. Even though music has always been an important part of my life, for a long time, music was something I did just for fun. That changed on a choir tour during my senior year of high school. We visited Butler University and worked with a composer (James Mulholland), who was on the faculty there. He coached us on a piece of his that we were singing at the time and completely changed my perspective. That experience showed me how deeply I love choral music and set me on the path of pursuing it professionally.
Please share a moment from your choral directing history that was particularly memorable, when the art of conducting took you to a different plane.
Last summer, Chicago Master Singers toured Paris and Normandy for 11 days. We performed in some of the most prestigious venues in that area. Our final concert was in La Madeleine, a very famous church in Paris. After honing the repertoire for months and performing it daily on tour, we gave a truly remarkable performance. Each one of us was incredibly focused and in the moment. We made music in a truly profound way that I will never forget. Singing that music with those people in that venue—talk about a mountaintop experience!
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is a massive undertaking for an orchestra, and we expect nearly 100 singers—from Chicago Master Singers, Lux Cantorum Chicago and talented local volunteers--to participate in the performance. How is it possible to prepare and manage a choral group that large?
It’s a lot of work! We began discussing this project a year ago, and I’ve been working on it extensively since the summer. As with all undertakings of this size and scale, communication is key. I have produced numerous materials for the singers, including marking and distributing their scores, providing pronunciation guides, and making learning schedules. These efforts allow singers to know exactly what the plan is, prepare individually before rehearsals begin, and eventually give a successful performance.
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is a difficult piece for all the performing musicians. Why do you find this piece worth the time and effort?
Beethoven 9 is an incredibly special piece that is on many people’s bucket list because of its contagious joy. This piece is worth the time and effort because of what it requires of its performers. One of the joys of performing in an ensemble is that it necessitates collaboration. The scale of this piece means that 150+ musicians will be on stage pouring their hearts and souls into the music. Very rarely does this kind of human cooperation happen, but music allows us to join together and produce something beautiful.
What sort of impact do you think live music performances can have on communities and individuals?
What makes attending a concert special is the feeling of being in the room with other people while art is being created. It is a truly human experience that does not involve screens or technology. It is authentic, profound, and elevating. If concerts were strictly about the music itself, then we could all sit at home and listen to one of the hundreds of recordings of Beethoven 9. Live performances allow us to take part in something magical with other people.
Why is classical music important in today’s world?
Classical music is incredibly important in today’s world because it connects us to the past, while nourishing our souls today. For example, Beethoven wrote his 9th Symphony 200 years ago. The piece’s continued popularity today demonstrates that, although the piece is centuries old, we can, in a sense, commune with our forebearers and perhaps realize that humanity has a lot in common.
When and where do you sing?
As a conductor, I don’t get to sing often anymore. I’m on the other side of the podium now. However, occasionally, I do work as a Tenor soloist.
What makes a collaborative event like this one, with your 2 fellow conductors/chorusmasters, interesting?
I like the thrill of this size of an undertaking. There are a lot of variables to consider and decisions to make. However, with the communication and preparation that I discussed earlier, I know that everything will come together. We will have a truly magnificent experience with Beethoven 9.
Anything else we should ask you about regarding this performance?
At its best, music connects us and inspires us. It is amazing to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Regardless of our background, age, beliefs, etc., we can do amazing things together. Performance is about much more than the music.
