Poetry & Music: Kay Ryan, Jeff Beal & the Apollo Chorus Salon Concert & Conversation

Pulitzer Prize–winner and former US Poet Laureate Kay Ryan joins members of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and composer Jeff Beal at the Poetry Foundation for a salon reading, concert, and conversation ahead of a full choral performance of Ryan’s poetry at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston. Ryan, who was awarded the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize in 2004 and appointed the Library of Congress's 16th poet laureate consultant in poetry in 2008, is the author of many collections of poetry, including Erratic Facts (2015) and the 2011 Pulitzer Prizewinning The Best of It: New and Selected Poems (2010).

A five-time EMMY® winner, Jeff Beal’s music career took off with his work on the acclaimed film Pollock (2000). His TV credits include HBO’s Rome, Carnivále, and the Netflix series House of Cards. His documentary work includes Blackfish, Weiner, The Queen of Versailles, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, & Boston; a documentary about the history of the Boston Marathon. Jeff’s upcoming film projects include Shock and Awe (directed by Rob Reiner) & Bigger (directed by George Gallo).

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago is the area's premier volunteer chorus. Its over 120 auditioned members include men and women of all ages, races, creeds, and occupations brought together by their abiding love of music. The voices of college students blend seamlessly with the voices of retirees who have belonged to Apollo for over fifty years. The singers' dedication, artistry, and passion produce performances of unrivalled majesty. In recent years, the Chorus has performed Mendelssohn's Elijah, Bach's Mass in b minor, Orff's Carmina Burana, and Mozart's Requiem. Apollo's annual performances of Handel's complete Messiah have become a beloved holiday tradition for Chicago families.