Wentz shines during CSO concert

The first time I heard Barbra Streisand's rendition of "The Best Gift," I connected with it.

It begins, "The best gift that I ever got didn't really weigh a lot -"

The gentle lyrics describe "the best gift" compared to the other presents under the Christmas tree, ending with the line, "- A gift that simply drove me wild was a tiny newborn child."

Back in 1979, our first child was born 10½ weeks prematurely. For more than two months, I watched her perfectly formed feet kick for life in New York Hospital as she slowly gained weight in the neonatal ICU. When she weighed five pounds, we were permitted to bring her home.

From that moment, I literally learned it's the little things that count.

At age 3, after Ashley experienced Itzhak Perlman on Sesame Street, she began a 5-year petitioning to play the violin.

She's the first to say had she practiced harder, she'd have been a more accomplished musician. Yet the simple joy of playing the violin and the piano - and later the viola - led to her vast appreciation for classical music in her adult life.

She also will tell you that performing with the orchestra from the time she was in third grade gave her a place in school to be part of a team. And today she enjoys being part of the audience.

Another 'best gift'

Last summer, when Ashley read that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra would perform at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, she reserved seats for my birthday.

Saturday was the night. What a gift to share with my daughter!

The spectacular Wentz provided a powerfully explosive experience featuring a triptych of Russian compositions by Mikhail Glinka, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Piotr Tchaikovsky.

OK. Maybe I need to credit the conductor, Ludovic Morlot, or the energetic pianist, Simon Trpceski, or the appreciative audience. But Saturday's CSO performance in the one-of-a-kind world-class concert hall inspired immense pride for this privately funded achievement at North Central College, spearheaded with a generous lead gift from Dr. Myron Wentz.

Thank you, Dr. Wentz!

And considering the appreciative audience, I thought Ashley would have a conniption with all the applause.

Since learning concert etiquette as a young child, she can't keep from nudging me during concerts as she anticipates that I might clap at inappropriate times. Her biggest beef is when patrons applaud between movements of a piece.

But let me back up. When we lived in New York, concert etiquette sometimes was printed in programs to enlighten casual concertgoers.

Otherwise, how do you know it's customary to applaud as the concertmaster or principal violinist walks onstage before the concert begins?

You applaud again when the conductor enters and for soloists who are recognized.

And you refrain from applauding until the end of each composition.

Some longer pieces are divided into "movements," separated by a silent pause. That's when Ashley usually elbows me to be sure I hold my applause, even though it's so tempting to freely show appreciation with premature clapping.

At the end, the conductor will turn to the audience. That's when you put your hands together to your heart's content. Give back enthusiastically to the musicians onstage who have given you a rousing performance.

Even highbrows cheer with "bravos" and whistles during standing ovations to show appreciation.

I urge everyone who enjoys the performing arts - and even individuals who think they don't - to experience one of the concerts that will showcase The Wentz in full acoustical splendor.

Also consider a tour of the Schoenherr Art Gallery, now featuring work by Pulitzer Prize winner Dick Locher titled "The Art of Dick Locher - Dick Tracy, Political Cartoons and Beyond." The free exhibit runs through Dec. 4.

For ticket information and the complete schedule of exhibits, performance and events, including several upcoming performances by the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/show or call (630) 637-7469. Or stop by the new North Central College Box Office at 171 E. Chicago Ave.

You just might find one of the best gifts for the holiday season, too.

• Stephanie Penick writes about Naperville. Contact her at spennydh@aol.com.