Naperville Men’s Glee Club wraps those grieving infant loss in song

Music has the power to touch lives and make a positive impact, and the Naperville Men’s Glee Club is proving just that through its upcoming United to SHARE Concert.

Set for 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, the concert will take place at Knox Presbyterian Church, 1105 Catalpa Lane in Naperville. The concert is held in conjunction with SHARE, which serves and supports those whose lives have been touched by pregnancy loss, still birth or the loss of an infant in the first few months of life.

“This concert is a collaborative effort in support of families who have lost newborns and infants,” said Richard Ryan, Tenor I, section leader and member of the board of directors for Naperville Men’s Glee Club. “This concert will include a gathering of our ‘Voices of Hope’ community singers, special guest performers and instrumentalists and a fundraiser to aid the Edward Hospital Chapter of SHARE as they help grieving families.”

Among the songs the audience will hear are “Tears in Heaven,” “You Do Not Walk Alone,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Why We Sing” and “Sometimes I Feel.”

Founded in 1988, the Naperville Men’s Glee Club performs music encompassing a variety of styles, from classical and spiritual tunes to popular favorites, patriotic anthems and holiday songs. More than 30 singers make up the club and will be joined by an additional 30 singers during the United to SHARE Concert. Singers range in age from 30 to 80.

“Music has a way of soothing the soul and this event will be a wonderful way for the singers and audience alike to honor the families who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or an infant,” Ryan said. “This concert has a special place in my heart as I will be singing in memory of our infant daughter, Katie Colleen, who died of a birth anomaly at full-term. The Glee Club has a history of special concert events including ‘Voices of Hope’ in past years in support of cancer survivors and their caregivers and medical professionals.”

The concert is made possible with the support of generous sponsors, including Gerald Nissan of Naperville.

“Gerald Nissan has been a wonderful concert supporter as the Glee Club struggled to continue singing even through the pandemic,” Ryan said. “Gerald is an example of the definition of community. Their support allows our Glee Club to present this concert and produce this wonderful event in the Naperville community.”

Gerald Nissan of Naperville is honored to be part of such an important concert event in the community.

“We are delighted to sponsor an event that shows families how much the community cares for them in their time of need,” said Donna Lawler of The Gerald Auto Group. “The United to SHARE concert is a great way to help others through music.”

To purchase tickets, visit www.nmgc.org. For more information about Gerald Nissan of Naperville, visit https://www.geraldnissannaperville.com/.