Allegro Adult Chorus to Host Meet & Greet Event
Allegro Adult Chorus is now offering up to three new choirs for singers ages 18 and older: Community Choir, Concert Choir, and Vocal Jazz Choir. To learn more about these musical opportunities, those interested in singing are invited to attend a Meet and Greet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Emmett's Brewing Company, 110 N. Brockway St., Palatine. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to enjoy appetizers while meeting members of Allegro, Palatine Park District staff, and the new Artistic Director of Allegro, Kevin Kelly. A cash bar will be available.
The Community Choir is designed for singers with limited or no choral experience. Auditions are not necessary, and all are welcome. Rehearsals will be held from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning Sept. 9.
The new Concert Choir is for singers with some previous choral experience and basic sight reading abilities. Music selections will be tailored to fit the choir and to encourage musical growth among its members. Rehearsals will be held from 8-9 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning Sept. 23.
The new Vocal Jazz Choir is designed for more experienced singers with the ability to read music, lead vocal exercises, and carry their part in the ensemble while blending with the overall group. Individual practice outside of scheduled rehearsals will be required. Rehearsals will be held from 8:15-9:15 p.m. on Thursdays starting Sept. 24.
All choirs are subject to change at the discretion of the Artistic Director.
Adults interested in registering for the Concert and/or Vocal Jazz choirs must attend one of Allegro's audition nights. Auditions will be private with the artistic director and will consist of a prepared vocal piece, provided in advance, and a vocal exercise. Concert and Vocal Jazz members will be expected to demonstrate their ability to prepare a predetermined piece and sight-read a simple score.
The Fall session of Allegro will culminate with a holiday concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine.
The Palatine Park District is pleased to welcome Kevin Kelly as the new Allegro Adult Chorus artistic director. Kelly moved to the Northwest suburbs in 2014 after 23 years living in Champaign- Urbana, where he served the musical community in multiple roles. In 1996, he founded a uniquely entertaining professional chamber orchestra called The Prairie Ensemble, with a mission to "make first-rate music fun, approachable and affordable." Kelly has been honored three times by the Illinois Council of Orchestras for his work with the Ensemble: for "Programming of the Year" in 1999 and 2003 and for "Meritorious Service in Orchestral Conducting" in 2002. After 13 years as a classical music host at public radio station WILL-FM in Urbana, Kelly served as host and producer of "Live and Local," which featured interviews with, and frequent live performances by, local and visiting artists across many musical genres, plus theater and dance. As music director of The Prairie Ensemble, he conducted collaborative performances with the University of Illinois Concert Choir and Women's Glee Club, Amasong, the Chorus of the Baroque Artists of Champaign Urbana and the Central Illinois Children's Chorus.
For more information about Allegro Adult Chorus, visit www.facebook.com/allegrochorus, email allegro@palatineparks.org, or call (847) 496-6281.
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