Choral Society to perform in Mt. Prospect on March 26

The Northwest Choral Society, under the direction of conductor Alan Wellman, will present its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Community Presbyterian Church, 407 N. Main St. in Mount Prospect.

The concert, “Triumph and Praise,” will be accompanied by a 22-piece orchestra, in Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and other classical-era compositions.

The chorus will feature soloists Kathleen Van De Graaff, soprano, Theresa Brancaccio, mezzo-soprano, tenor Kurt Hansen and bass-baritone Peter Van De Graaff. Alan Heatherington is the concert master of the Northwest Choral Society Chamber Orchestra. Lori Lyn Mackie will accompany the chorus on organ.

The Nelson Mass is arguably one of Haydn’s most powerful and inspiring works. Written in 1798, it is one of six late Masses written for the Esterházy family and has been attributed to the celebration of England’s Lord Horatio Nelson for his defeat of Napoleon and his army during the Battle of the Nile.

A complimentary preconcert lecture and discussion of the music will be hosted by chorus member John Morrison at 6:45 p.m. at the church.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 students and seniors. Get them at nwchoralsociety.org, (224) 585-9127 or at the door.

Wellman is on the faculty of The Catherine Cook School in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. His conducting experience is extensive and he has sung professionally in operatic and classical music productions.

The Northwest Choral Society invites experienced singers 17 and older to audition. Visit nwchoralsociety.org.