A member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus since 1980, Lee Lichamer is the leader of the CSC’s second bass section. The Chicago native studied at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

What work(s) this season are you are most looking forward to performing?

The Poulenc Gloria is just pure French joy. I always feel like I’m in a Parisian cabaret with the music just floating around like cigarette smoke. I love the intricate harmonies and the cheerful play between the sections.


Offstage, I like to:

When not singing my activities are varied, I’m always knitting or riding my bike. Studying mixology and cooking. Or just traveling with my husband, CSO Assistant Principal Bassoon William Buchman.

One of my favorite quotes is:

“Music as a learning experience.” Tom Peck, the founder of the Grant Park Chorus, would always say that to encourage us to learn more than just the notes on the page, the history of the piece, what was going on in the world when it was written, how that applies to today. To this day, I’m still learning from music.

What is your most memorable Chicago Symphony Chorus performance or experience?

I’ll never forget my first CSO performance, Mahler Symphony No. 8 with Sir Georg Solti. Every performance was sold out; we even added an additional concert on a Monday night to handle the overflow. The energy from all of the performers on stage as well as the totally engaged audience still sends shivers down my spine.