Voices young and old to join in song on Sunday
One of the best ways for different groups to come together is through music.
The Voices in Harmony and Northwest Community Youth choirs are recognizing this significance with their performance of "Youth and Experience: Community" at the Raue Center on Sunday.
"It's a good idea for communities to work together," said Steven Szalaj, director of Voices in Harmony. "Everyone has things to gain."
To many of the adult choir members, the best part of the concert is teaching the children about the joys of a lifetime of singing.
"It shows kids don't have to quit the choir when they go to college," said Judy Edlund, a member of Voices In Harmony for 13 years. "They can keep singing for the rest of their lives."
While adults aim to show the importance of a lifelong presence of music, choir youth are already learning the value of relationships. Kendall Lake, a 14-year-old member of the Northwest Community Youth Choir, enjoys the time she spends with her friends in the group.
"The best part is getting to hang out with the friends you make here," said Lake. "It's great to relax and just be yourself outside a high school environment."
For 14-year-old John McFadden, also a member of the youth choir, the experience is just as meaningful as the friendships.
"The directors are great," said McFadden. "I've learned so much."
Voices in Harmony is an adult choir that has been performing for 24 years under the direction of Steven Szalaj. The Northwest Community Youth Choir has been performing for four years under the direction of Ann Tucker, Kim Scherrer and Karen Snodgrass. Sunday's concert will be the third collaboration between the two concerts.
"We've done this before," said Tucker, "and it was time to do it again."
Karen Snodgrass, the director of the youth choir's Bella Voce group, sees the collaboration as a distinct occurrence rather than tradition or learning.
"The mix of children's and adults' voices is incomparable," said Snodgrass. "It is so unique and heartfelt."
Cynara Pierzina, executive director of the Northwest Community Youth Choir, said the opportunity to sing at the Raue Center is also important to the youth. She pointed out that it's a great opportunity for local residents as well.
"It's generations coming together for quality music right in Crystal Lake, in our community," Pierzina said.
To 9-year-old Ali Howell, a member of the youth choir, the best part of the concert is trying something new.
"You learn new songs and meet new people," said Howell. "It's a good experience."
But Fred McCullough, a 24-year member of Voices in Harmony, sees the collaboration between the two choirs as a lesson to both the audience and the singers.
"It's showing the gap between youth and adults can be bridged," said McCullough. "If it can be bridged in a music setting, it can be bridged in any setting."
Voices In Harmony
Algonquin: Jennifer Becker, Steve Geske
Cary: George Boddy, Amy Pennington, Kay Schulte, Lori Tibbett, Linda Wagner, Rich Zacaroli
Crystal Lake: Peter Becker, Leo Bezdek, Catherine Carroll, Peter Carroll, Sarah Chung, Robert DeWitt, Mary Eckel, Judy Edlund, Rita Frei, Dick Gabriel, Stephen Gillis, James Gritschke, Gayle Haefele, Ellen Harrison, Lorraine Hartley, Barb Hegreberg, Robin Hoffman, Jim Iddings, Ude Immega, Nancy Johnson, Margaret Kurta, Robert Ladner, Michelle Linner, Stephanie Marchionda, Fred McCullough, Karen McCullough, Jody McKesson, Jenny Oberbillig, Veronica Paine, Nicole Perry, David Peterson, Lauren Stoeck, Monica Szalaj, Florence Whitman, Mary Ann Wilson
Fox River Grove: Heather Gates, Rachel Roddy, Christine Rehavem
Harvard: Sally Kretchmer
Huntley: Rhea Thomas
Lake in the Hills: Heather Stevenson
Lakemoor: Peter Ptak
McHenry: Bob Chamberlin, Andy McKay, Randall Robinson
Oakwood Hills: Peggy Boytor
Ringwood: Jan Knight
Schaumburg: Jessica Jeffries
Spring Grove: Anna Jaworski
Woodstock: Anita Barger, Erin Burns, Jill Groth, Pat McCaleb, Rhonda Thayer
Union: Karen Klaus, Jean Wittlief, Richard Wittlief
Northwest Community Youth Choir
Algonquin: Sarah Erickson-Simon, Kristen Koniewicz, Andrew Rewerts, Callie Van Ingen, Ryan Webb
Barrington: Pat McCann
Bull Valley: Alessandra Cullotta, Lydia O'Donnell
Carpentersville: Anusha Duggirala, Caitlyn McIntyre
Cary: Rachel Davis, Angelina Gasparov, Kendall Lake, Courtney Weisbruch
Crystal Lake: Julia Alvey, Spencer Alvey, Bridget Arnesen, Sarah Beharovic, Jessica Caravello, Steven Diklich, Megan Effinger, Grace Goze, Jim Gritschke, Jennifer Gulgren, Brandon Harisis, Lizzie Hendricks, Helen Herrmann, Ali Howell, Charlie Inion, Serena Isabelli, Melissa Keller, Reanna Khimani, Joshua King, Sarah King, Anna Lasswell, Grace Leali, Olivia Likens, John McFadden, Lauren Nicholson, Aidan O'Connor, Devin Peterson, Jackson Pierzina, Violet Ray, Samantha Septer, Phillip Steinberg, Evanee Stephens, Anne Taylor, Eva Ticknor, Emily Tucker, Maggie Tucker, Ryan Tucker
Huntley: Rachel Meister, Ryan Meister, Alexandra Perez, Connor Rooney, Curran Rooney, Victoria Ross
Johnsburg: Lauren Battaglia
Lake in the Hills: Alexa Bennett, Elena Bloomquist, Alexander Greer, Ryan Marsch
Lakewood: Elizabeth Gilmore, Emma Severson, Karina Simatos, Kinsey Simatos, Grace Vivrett
McHenry: Emily Garcia, Sarah Lesniak, Claudia Pasche, Kayla Rathien
Prairie Grove: Samantha Tucker
Wauconda: Mackenzie Winkiel, Shannon Winkiel
Wonder Lake: Danielle Williams, Sarah Kusz
Woodstock: Ashley Dolan, Molly Dougherty, Andrew Gippert, Keeley Hamill, Julia Kise, Mary Narusis, Therese Narusis, Katya Taylor
<p class=factboxtext12col><b>If you go</b></p> <p class=factboxtext12col><b>What: </b>"Youth and Experience: Community," a concert by Voices in Harmony and the Northwest Community Youth Choir</p> <p class=factboxtext12col><b>When: </b>4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15</p> <p class=factboxtext12col><b>Where:</b> Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake</p> <p class=factboxtext12col><b>Tickets:</b> $18/$15</p> <p class=factboxtext12col><b>Details: </b>(815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org</p>