8th Program Features Organist Karl Bruhn and Vocalist/Flautist Jeanne Anne Aukofer at St. Thomas More on Sunda, March 10
Wonderful music, Lenten reflection, and interfaith fellowship are all hallmarks of the Phyllis A. Lange-Connelly Memorial Lenten Recital series. Twenty years ago, Phyllis Connelly, a talented and dedicated Elgin area organist, conceived of a time when Christians of all denominations would sit side by side in the presence of Our Lord and join together to reflect and celebrate Lent and Holy Week. Sadly, Phyllis passed away eight months ago, but her dream lives on in this, the Nineteenth Annual and Lenten Recital Series and Palm Sunday Interfaith Festival. Eleven area churches sponsor these recitals.
Everyone is invited to listen, reflect, and enjoy music presented by outstanding musicians. This is the nineteenth year for the series which has been attended by over 1500 people annually.
The eighth recital in the 2013 series will feature organist Karl Bruhn and vocalist and flutist, Jeanne Anne Aukofer from 3-4 p.m. Sunday, March 10th at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. The church is located at 215 Thomas More Drive, Elgin which is on Highland Ave., between Randall Road and McLean Blvd. For more information: www.stthomasmorechurch.org or 847-888-1682
The program will be followed by a time of fellowship and a chance to meet the musicians. Admission is free – donations are accepted to help defray costs.
Karl Bruhn is organist and music director at St. John's Lutheran Church in downtown Lombard, a position he has held for the past seven years. In addition, he is now in his third year as the choral music teacher at St. John's Lutheran School, where he has over 200 children in his music program.
Prior to this position he was the organist and handbell director at Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia for twenty-five years. He was also the principal accompanist for the church's Senior and High School choirs.
Before his years in Batavia, Karl was the music director at Gary Memorial Methodist Church in Wheaton where he directed five choirs—including two handbell choirs.
Mr. Bruhn grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, a graduate of Oak Park-River Forest HS, and had his first organ position while still in high school. He played at Garfield Boulevard Methodist Church on Chicago's south side.
He has degrees in church music from Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington, and Concordia University in River Forest.
Karl is also a retired history and English teacher at Edison Middle School in Wheaton.
Karl has been very active in the American Guild of Organists (AGO) for the past forty years. He has served in the Fox Valley Chapter as the Dean of the chapter for four years, and as Program Chairman for six years. During he tenure as program chair he started the “Bach at the (Marmion) Abbey” yearly programs, and the annual Hymn Festival held at College Church in Wheaton. He worked for six years as part of the planning and program committees for the AGO National Convention in 2006 held in Chicago and its suburbs; and has been a presenter at both regional and national conventions. Presently he is the Illinois State Convener—overseeing all the AGO chapters in Illinois.
Vocalist and Flutist, Jeanne Anne Aukofer is a native of Kansas. Jeanne Anne received her undergraduate degree in Vocal Music Performance from Friends University where she was a member of the Singing Quakers, Concert Band (flutist) and Varsity Tennis Team. She received her Masters in Vocal Music Performance from the University of Kentucky in 2004 and Masters in Theological Studies from Quincy University in 2012. After moving to Elgin in 2004, Jeanne Anne received her K-12 Music Education Certificate from Judson University. Her professional experience includes 11 years as a private music instructor, 5 years as a K-12 music educator, 1 year as the Director of Music at St. Bridget Church in Loves Park, as well as various vocal/instrumental performance and recording projects. She is currently in her 2nd year as the Director of Music and Liturgy at Saint Thomas More in Elgin. She is a member of the Director of Music Ministry Division (DMMD) of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Jeanne Anne, her husband Michael, and their 1 ½ year old daughter reside in Elgin.