A new orchestral work by a Wheaton College composer will get its world premiere on the college's own stage this fall, part of a four-concert season Camerata Chicago is bringing to town.
The 40-piece professional chamber orchestra announced July 25 that Dr. Tony Payne, who spent 45 years managing the Wheaton College Artist Series and teaching composition, will serve as its composer-in-residence for the 2026-2027 season. Payne's commissioned piece, "Fantasy on English Folk Tunes," will debut at the season opener on Saturday, October 17, at 3 p.m. in Armerding Concert Hall.
It marks the orchestra's 23rd season.
A local composer comes full circle
Payne's connection to the orchestra runs deep. During his tenure at Wheaton College, he brought Camerata Chicago to campus as part of the Artist Series. He left the college in July 2024 after 45 years as associate professor of music and general manager of the series.
Payne holds a Doctor of Music degree in composition from Northwestern University and has composed more than 100 published psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. He has served as organist at Wheaton Bible Church since 2018.
"Our hallmark is music that's tonal and melodic, performed with historically grounded interpretations," music director Drostan Hall said in the season announcement. Hall, a British-born conductor and Royal Northern College of Music graduate, founded Camerata Chicago in 2003. The orchestra performs at venues across Chicago, Hinsdale, Oak Park, and Wheaton.
All Wheaton performances begin at 3 p.m. on Saturdays:
Saturday, October 17 — Armerding Concert Hall. Mendelssohn's music for "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds, and the world premiere of Payne's "Fantasy on English Folk Tunes."
Saturday, November 21 — Gary Church. Handel's "Messiah" (Part I) with the Hallelujah Chorus and "Zadok the Priest." Soloists include soprano Emily Richter, a 2024 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Grand Finals winner.
Saturday, March 6, 2027 — Armerding Concert Hall. "Baroque Violin Concerti with Apollo's Fire Soloists," featuring Bach's Double Violin Concerto and Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" Spring Concerto.
Saturday, April 10, 2027 — Armerding Concert Hall. Fauré's Requiem and Poulenc's Organ Concerto with organist Douglas Cleveland.
The orchestra also named violinist Eric Gratz as guest concertmaster for the season. Gratz, artistic director of the American Chamber Music Society in Chicago, succeeds Mathias Tacke, who retired after 18 years with the ensemble.
Ticket information is available at cameratachicago.org.
