Elgin High's constellation concert to benefit Ecker Center

Elgin High School's music department will put a spotlight on their stars this week to benefit a local mental health center.

The second annual holiday constellation concert - a rotating performance featuring student music ensembles stationed throughout the auditorium - will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The symphonic band, chamber choir, chamber orchestra, jazz band, string quartet, brass ensemble, Elgin Jazz Authority and Renaissance singers will take turns performing 17 different holiday pieces, band Director Jonathan Bogue said.

A record-setting 250 students are taking part in Thursday's performance.

The large number, Bogue said, comes primarily from the fact that the show will feature two movements from Handel's "Messiah."

"We needed a bigger choir," he said. "We've never done anything that large."

In addition to well-known songs and arrangements, Bogue said, students will perform Yiddish Klezmer music, and German composer's Franz Biebl's version of "Ave Maria."

Ticket prices will rise to $10 for adults and $8 for students, in order to better support Elgin's Ecker Center.

The nonprofit mental health center, which serves adults and youth, had approached the school and Elgin Area School District U-46 about a fundraising benefit, Bogue said.

The holiday constellation concert was selected, he said, because of the number of students in the program and the popularity of the concert with the outside community.

"We thought we could get the most people involved. A holiday concert and around this time of year when they're thinking about helping other people seemed perfect."

For details, see http://band.elginhighmusic.com/