Northwest Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Quintet Benefit Concert in Des Plaines

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Quintet will perform a special benefit concert on Sunday, September 10, 2017, at 3:30 pm at First United Methodist Church, 668 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines. A free-will offering will be collected to benefit both the Northwest Symphony Orchestra and First United Methodist Church.

The concert will open with Debussy's "Le Petit Negre", a "catchy tune" depicting a young Black child, with an appropriately-playful quality. Similarly, Bizet's "Jeux D-Enfants", or "Children's Games", is a suite of short works celebrating childhood. Malcolm Arnold's "Three Shanties" continue the jocular mood, featuring familiar maritime melodies in whimsical arrangements. Hungarian composer Denes Agay's "Five Easy Dances" are similarly "easy" in style, inviting listeners to join the performers in celebration. Next, Jacque Ibert's "Trois Pieces Breve or "Three Short Pieces", are Gallic in style and colorfully illustrate the French fascination with the woodwind family. The concert closes with Francis Poulenc's "Novelette", which seems to tell, in music, a charming story of adventure and romance, ending on a note of peaceful relaxation.

The members of the quintet, Barbara Saks (flute), Richard von Holst (oboe), Elena Costa Garcia (clarinet), Martha Cavender (bassoon), and Charlie Sernatinger (French horn), are all accomplished musicians. The concert repertoire is designed to showcase each performer and instrument, while celebrating the European delight in this unique instrumentation.

Additional parking may be found, around the church and across the street in the free city parking lot.