Music a delightful way to lift the spirits
After the festivities of Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras, some folks might be thinking that life will be a little dull - but not here in our part of the Fox River Valley. We will be blessed with an abundance of music.
The 16th annual Dundee and Elgin Lenten Concert Series begins Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the First United Methodist Church on Main Street in West Dundee with organist Phyllis Lange-Connelly, the originator of the series, and pianist Nancy Marbury performing. Lange-Connelly recognized the many wonderful musicians that grace the local churches and thought what a great opportunity it would be if they could share their talent with people outside of their own congregations.
The musical programs are scheduled to last a half-hour from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. just long enough for a lunch-hour break from work. With the exception of Wednesday's performance, the concerts will be on Thursdays during Lent. There will be one Thursday, Feb. 18, at St. James Episcopal Church at Sixth and Washington streets in West Dundee with Jose Rosado as organist. On Thursday, Feb. 25, for those of you who work in Palatine, you can attend one at the Bethel Lutheran Church at 2150 Frontage Road with Michelle Nunez as organist.
On March 4, the concert will be at West Dundee's First Congregational Church on Eighth Street with Robert Lind as organist. I will fill you in on other dates later in the month.
If you want to be more than just a member of the audience at the Lenten concerts, you are invited to take part in the inspirational ecumenical choral concert and prayer service that takes place at 3:45 p.m. on Palm Sunday at St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee. All singers are welcome to be a part of the 75-voice interfaith choir or ensemble. This is a great opportunity for those who can't make a continuing commitment to an ongoing music ministry. There will be 10 regular rehearsals and a dress rehearsal on the day of the program. Two-hour rehearsals will be held at the First Congregational Church in West Dundee at 7 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. Saturdays. The first rehearsal will be Monday, Feb. 22. For details, call (847) 515-8743.
Newman Singers to perform: For those of us who are more listeners than singers, we can enjoy the enthusiasm, joy and faithful expression in song when St. Catherine of Siena will host the young adult Newman Singers from Iowa City, Iowa. They will perform a free concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at the church at routes 31 and 72 in West Dundee.
"We welcome the community to hear and experience a joyful and inspiring performance that will touch their very souls," said Rev. Monsignor Timothy Doherty, pastor at St. Catherine's.
The Newman Singers reflect the best in American spirituality for young adults. They are a liturgical and concert group, under the leadership of Joe Mattingly, composed of college students from the Newman Catholic Center at the University of Iowa. The Newman singers have toured the country for the past 15 years, building a reputation for leadership in contemporary liturgical and inspirational music. For information, call (847) 426-2217.
Boys & Girls Club Trivia Night: Do you have a Velcro mind that strange information clings to? Would you be the one that friends might call if they were on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Now is your chance to solidify your standing in the community as a "Champion of Knowledge."
The Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township will hold its first Trivia Night on Friday, Feb. 26, at Randall Oaks Golf Club in West Dundee. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m., and the competition will start at 6. Teams of four individuals will compete in several rounds of trivia challenge, featuring questions from the fields of sports, entertainment, current events, pop culture and more. At the end of the night, one team will be crowned the Trivia Night Champions, with a traveling trophy presentation. Additional prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers as well as a Pickle Prize for you can guess who.
The entry fee is $200 for a team of four or you can register as an individual for $50 and the club will put you on a team. There will be a cash bar and a light dinner buffet served. The featured host will be Bill "The Adjudicator."
Get a team of your friends, co-workers, and club members together and have a great time supporting a worthwhile organization that helps more than 1,000 at-risk youngsters in our community. You can register online at bgcdt.org or call Mike Berger at (847) 814-7302.