Music, history and maestro highlight season at Barrington's White House

Barrington's White House will have something for everyone in its second year of drawing cultural event programs to the community. Events will include:

• An internationally acclaimed clarinetist returning to her hometown.

• An opportunity to see Elgin Symphony Orchestra Maestro Andrew Grams perform.

• The unique stylings of a noted chamber music string quartet.

• Introduction of a Humanities program, with the initial event led by a former Barrington High School teacher.

• A much-loved local historian bringing to life 19th-century Barrington through a series of letters.

• A talented Chicago vocal ensemble helping to usher in spring with its music.

Cultural chairman Rollin Potter has the twofold task of finding both the talent for events and funding from generous donors to pay, or offset, the costs. Fundraising success, he says, helps keep ticket prices well below similar events in Chicago.

"We've got world-class talent in our own backyard," Potter said. "We have an array of events to suit many tastes. And think of the time and money you save by not driving downtown."

The first year, Rollin said, was a big success, but it was a learning experience, too.

Getting the word out about private rental opportunities is a major goal this year, said Beth Raseman, operations manager. Raseman anticipates a major uptick in weddings as more people become familiar with the house's multifaceted charms. Corporate outings, birthday parties and bereavement events (Davenport Funeral Home is located next door) are available too, she said.

Already this year, events included a sold-out performance by solo acoustic singer Pat McKillen on Feb. 10. He treated friends (he's a Barrington native) and fans to his array of fusion, pop and rock songs. He also featured songs from "Blood and Bones," his latest release now available at patmckillen.com.

Kelly J. Keegan of The Art Institute of Chicago opened the spring season in January at a packed-house event sponsored by the Art Institute of Chicago, Northwest Chapter. Keegan, a paintings conservator, explained how curators like herself can use high-resolution imaging and scientific analysis to discover untold stories about Impressionist masterpieces.

And Harper College President Ken Ender led a program on college affordability last Sunday.

Upcoming Barrington White House Spring Season events include:

Nancy Braithwaite; An Evening with Friends: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1. Chamber music performance with clarinet, cello, piano and voice. Internationally acclaimed clarinetist Nancy Braithwaite, who grew up in Barrington, is joined by local talents, soprano Joanne McDade, cellist Walter Preucil and pianists Kenneth Smith and William Koehler, as they perform pieces from Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert and other works. Traditional and modern music that is both moving and fanciful, and allows each instrument to shine.

General admission: $20 adults; $10 students.

Dale Griffith Humanities Presentation: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5. Alternative Narratives in Our Contemporary World: Secular Egotism vs. the Lonely Man of Faith. How do stories orient us to the world - either consciously or unconsciously? Dale Griffith, a former Barrington High School teacher, and his current colleague, Rebecca Schorsch, explore the understanding of religion in literature. With dramatizations and discussions of Albert Camus' "The Fall" and Joseph Soloveitchik's "The Lonely Man of Faith."

General admission: $10

Barbara L. Benson; Barrington Historical Lecture Series: Tea 2 p.m.: presentation at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23. The Octagon House Letters: Stories of Emaline. Late 19th century Barrington comes alive through a series of 700 letters written from the Octagon House by Emaline Hawley Brown to her daughter Laura Nightingale in Fairmont, Minnesota. Historian Barbara Benson will share their stories, providing an intimate view of Barrington and the love between mother and her "dear little girl beyond the Mississippi."

General admission: $20; includes tea, coffee and desserts.

Miró String Quartet: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 9. Chamber music concert. After performing to sold-out crowds at Carnegie Hall and debuting works by a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, this celebrated Austin, Texas, string quartet now comes to Barrington. Taking its name and inspiration from the Surrealist artist Joan Miró, the quartet brings its unique style, while staying true to the traditions of chamber music masters. Works include Haydn, Bartók and Brahams.

General admission: $40 adults; $20 students.

Bella Voce Camerata: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 30. Small vocal ensemble performance. This chamber ensemble of the larger Bella Voce group of Chicago, shares intimate works that celebrate the hope of springtime, and its sometime cruelty, like love. Mixing these diverse emotions - joy, hope and agony - with songs from early madrigal to modern jazz. Historically informed performance precision. Exploring the artistic potential of the human musical imagination.

General admission: $20 adults; $10 students.

A Taste of Chamber Music with Elgin Symphony Orchestra Maestro Andrew Grams: 3 p.m. Sunday, May 21. Performance and wine tasting. A rare opportunity to hear this dynamic conductor perform as a violinist! This ESO ensemble will play such chamber music classics as Beethoven's String Quartet in F Major, Opus 59, No. 1 and Brahms' String Sextet in B-flat Major, Opus 18 - in the intimate BWH ballroom setting, exactly as chamber music was originally presented to audiences and patrons.

General admission: $30 adults; $10 students, cash bar.

Barrington's White House is a unique, historic venue located in the heart of downtown Barrington at 145 W. Main St. This meticulously restored 1898 mansion hosts cultural and community events, and is also available for rental for weddings, corporate meetings, nonprofit fundraisers and family celebrations. Its $6.8 million restoration was entirely funded by private donations.

Barrington's White House acknowledges its cultural events season sponsors: Barrington Bank and Trust, Mr. and Mrs. Earle Combs, Barrington Cultural Commission, Barrington School District 220, BMO Harris Bank and BMO Wealth Management, Kim Duchossois and The Northern Trust Co.

To purchase tickets, visit BarringtonsWhiteHouse.com.

For questions, call (224) 512-4284, or (224) 512-4292 for a private tour.