Sing along or just listen at upcoming holiday concerts

Sometimes the best way to get into the holiday spirit is with music. Whether you prefer the stirring sounds of a brass band, the warmth of a community singalong or the harmony of a professionally-trained choir, you're bound to find a show you'll enjoy in the Fox Valley this weekend.

Holiday Classics Concert

The Illinois Brass Band brings its spirited sounds to St. Charles at the "Holiday Classics" concert, set for 5 p.m. Saturday Dec. 20, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave.

The band will play some traditional carols as well as holiday classics and some jazzy updates of Christmas songs.

Director Stephen Squires will conduct the band's first appearance in the Fox Valley since 2007.

"It will be nice getting back to the suburbs after so long and show them what we have all been working so hard on," said Bill Kaempfe of Mount Prospect, IBB president and band member.

Beverly Nesbit will join the concert with vocals in songs including "Silent Night" by Joseph Mohr and "Dormi, Jesu" by John Rutter, both arranged by IBB artistic adviser, Andrew Wainwright.

The band also recognizes Melody Velleuer as the tenor horn soloist in this holiday concert.

Former IBB member and arranger, Ken Norman, will lead a holiday medley singalong.

Other featured songs the band will perform include "Once in Royal David's City," "Three King Swing" as well as a new arrangement of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by Andrew Wainwright.

"Every arrangement is well written and it's a more mellow sound with brass instruments," Kaempfe said.

Tickets will be $12 for general admission, $6 for those 18 and younger, or $30 for two adults and up to five children younger than 18. Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the performance.

Community Christmas carol Sing-Along

Warm up your singing voice. The First Congregational Church of Elgin will hold its annual Christmas carol Sing-Along at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the church, 256 E. Chicago St. There will be an hour of music followed by refreshments.

The event will be a feast of classic Christmas songs with musical accompaniment from the Blue Tulip Wranglers and other musicians.

Songs include classics such as "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Silent Night," as well as some new tunes.

"There aren't many Christmas concerts that allow the audience to get involved, but I love seeing the old and young singing along to all the songs," said Paris Donehoo of Elgin, seniors pastor of FCC.

A free will offering will be taken to benefit the church's renovations fund and the Community Crisis Center. Half of your $5 ticket will benefit these funds.

"There's not requirement for how well someone can sing, it's just an all-around great experience," said Donehoo.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Heartland Voices will be performing classic Christmas songs in the "Home is Where the Heart Is" concert at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, 10805 Main St., Huntley.

For the Elgin concerts, tickets are $10, $8 for students and seniors and $5 for children. Admission is free at the Huntley concert, but an offering will be taken.

The candlelight concert, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, will include selections such as the Dale Warland arrangement of the Wexford Carol, a 12th century Irish carol most likely of dancing origin, and Rollo Dilworth's "Sistah Mary," one of a very few African-American Christmas spirituals that recounts the birth of Christ from the perspective of a slave. Heartland Voices presentations will also include works by Durufle, Powell, Spencer, Hovland, and Kirkpatrick. The music not only spans the centuries, but the many moods of Christmas. And as they have for 16 years, Heartland Voices will conclude the evening with their signature Christmas piece, Donald Fraser's "This Christmastide."

Heartland Voices 3 p.m. concert in Elgin will feature the Dundee Middle School Bella Voca and Men's Ensemble under the direction of Mona Roy and the Dundee-Crown High School Chamber Chorale under the direction of Lisa Bettcher.

The Sunday concert in Huntley will include the Bell Choir and the combined piece "A German Christmas," five traditional German carols arranged by Margaret R. Tucker.

The Heartland Voices, based in Elgin, consists of critically acclaimed ensemble professional and professionally-trained singers from northern Illinois. The ensemble is in its 15th year.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit heartlandvoices.org.

If you go

"Holiday Classics" with the Illinois Brass Band

When: 5 p.m. Saturday Dec. 20

Where: Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles

Admission: $12 adults, $6 for ages 18 and younger; $30 for two adults and up to five children

Details: <a href="http://www.illinoisbrassband.org">www.illinoisbrassband.org</a>

Community Christmas Carol Sing-Along

When: 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20

Where: First Congregational Church, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin

Admission: $5

Details: visit <a href="http://www.fcc-elgin.org">www.fcc-elgin.org</a>; for tickets, call (847) 741-4045.

Heartland Voices' "Home is Where the Heart is"

When: 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21

Where: Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin; Sunday at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, 10805 Main St., Huntley

Admission: For the Elgin concerts, tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for students and seniors and $5 for children; the Huntley concert is free, with a donation accepted

Details: Visit <a href="http://www.heartlandvoices.org">www.heartlandvoices.org</a> or call (847) 429-9486.