Schaumburg High School holiday concert a tradition for almost 40 years

At Schaumburg High School, a festive tradition kicks off the holiday season: the annual Holiday Dinner Concert that showcases the school's Concert choir and Choraliers.

It's a little-known tradition that dates back nearly as far back as Schaumburg High School itself, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

This year's dinner takes place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, where the 50 choir members and their guests will find the Trillium Rooms trimmed with twinkling lights for the season, both inside and out.

“I love this performance. It's such a great way to start the holiday season off,” said senior Brittany Hazek of Schaumburg, who will sing a solo during “Variations on Jingle Bells.”

Unlike the colorful Madrigral dinners, with choir members dressed in costumes from the Renaissance period, Schaumburg singers don their traditional red choir robes, and take their places on the risers for their performances served up during dinner.

Tim McGlynn, Schaumburg's choir director, has worked to continue the event each year after it was started by the school's original music director, John Van Hook.

“The only year we didn't have this program was in 2007,” McGlynn said, “when the choir sang in the Candlelight Processional Concert at Epcot Center during the holidays.”

This year's offering stays with tradition, featuring such classics as Leroy Anderson's “Sleigh Ride,” a medley of “Little Drummer Boy,” and “Peace on Earth,” and “I'll be Home for Christmas.”

But they also will be having fun with songs like “Fa-La-La Fantasy,” by Earlene Rentz, and one called, “Fruitcake.”

“That's one of my favorites,” Hazek adds. “It's fun and we'll be adding some dance moves, so it's pretty entertaining.”

McGlynn, too, has his favorites, including bringing back a holiday piece, called “Gifts from Afar,” originally published in 1988 and rarely performed.

“I haven't heard this piece in over 20 years,” McGlynn says, “but it is a special composition and will feature the concert choir.”

Dinner traditionally opens with a wassail toast, featuring a spiced cider version of the old world beverage, and that, too, stands out as a favorite part of the annual holiday dinner concert.

In all, the two choirs combine to perform 16 musical selections throughout the night, accompanied by Bev Tipps, before the audience chimes in for a carol singalong. It features seven popular carols woven together into a medley that has remained unchanged over the years.

McGlynn describes the night as magical, as it brings together current choir families as well as alumni and all in a spirit of good cheer. Though, he adds, one more thing would make it complete.

“Each year I hope that it will snow,” he says. “The windows outside are very pretty with holiday lights, and I always want to open the curtains during the carol sing to reveal the falling snow, just like Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye did at the end of ‘White Christmas.'”

<p><b>Schaumburg High School's Holiday Dinner Concert </b></p>

<p>When: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30</p>

<p>Where: Indian Lakes Resort, 250 W. Schick Road in Bloomingdale </p>

<p>Cost: $40</p>

<p>Information: (847) 755-4801 or shs.d211.org/Music/choir.html</p>