Illinois Brass Band to perform three holiday concerts
The Illinois Brass Band, under the direction of Stephen Squires, recently announced its upcoming holiday performances.
Illinois Brass Band will kick off the holiday season with the annual performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach. The Civic Center has been the site of Illinois Brass Band's northern most holiday concert for the past five years.
The second stop will find the band returning to Palatine's historic Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.
The third and final holiday concert will take place Saturday, Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles. This is the band's first appearance in the Fox Valley since 2007.
All of the performances will consist of Christmas music from around the world with familiar songs both sacred and secular. Amy Keipert will be the guest vocalist for both the Round Lake Beach and Palatine concerts, while Beverly Nesbit will be the guest in St. Charles.
Featured vocals will include "Silent Night" by Joseph Mohr and "Dormi, Jesu" by John Rutter, both as arranged by IBB Artistic Advisor Andrew Wainwright, as well as a Christmas singalong by former Illinois Brass Band member and arranger Ken Norman. Band member Melody Velleuer will be featured as tenor horn soloist this holiday season.
Other selections featured will include the Philip Sparke arrangement of "Once in Royal David's City," "Three King Swing" by William Himes, as well as the premier performance of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," a newly commissioned arrangement by Andrew Wainwright.
Tickets for the Round Lake Beach concert will be available at the door. The St. Charles concert can be purchased in advance at illinoisbrassband.org or at the door on the day of the concert.
When ordering online, go to the performance page and follow the ticket purchase instructions. Tickets will be available at the will call table.
Tickets for the Cutting Hall concert are available in advance through the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center Box Office by phone, (847) 202-5222, or online at cuttinghall.org. Tickets are also available on the day of the performance.
Round Lake Beach tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and students 18 and younger. A family pricing plan is also available for $25, which includes two adults and up to five children 18 and younger.
Cutting Hall tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children and students 18 and younger.
Tickets for the St. Charles concert are $12 for adults and $6 for students and children 18 and younger. Family pricing is also available at $30 for two adults and up to five children 18 and younger.
Founded in 1991, The Illinois Brass Band is in its 23rd year of bringing high quality brass band music to audiences throughout the greater metropolitan area. The Illinois Brass Band is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization and is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
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