Heartland Voices to celebrate anniversary

Heartland Voices turns 10 years old with two chances to celebrate.

Join Heartland Voices at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25 for the first of two "10th Anniversary Concerts" as the choir starts its celebration at the First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin. Tickets are also available at the door. Tickets are $18 adults and $15 seniors and groups and $10 students with a valid school ID.

The first half of the concert will feature John Rutter's acclaimed "Mass of the Children" performed by Heartland Voices in collaboration with the Elgin Children's Chamber Chorus. The Mass will feature Heartland Voices' soloists soprano Cami Gerwen and baritone George Levar.

The second half of the concert will include the world premiere of a work by composer Daniel Brewbaker, an Elgin native, who has gone on to achieve international fame. The work has been commissioned especially for the 10th anniversary celebration.

"I feel it is important to commission new choral works to add to the great body of choral literature that now exists," says John G. Slawson, artistic director, principal conductor and founder of Heartland Voices. "This new work by Daniel Brewbaker, 'Yestoday' with the poetry of e.e. cummings, is an affirmation of life - a tribute to the human spirit."

In explaining his inspiration for the work, Brewbaker states, "I began setting the poetry of e.e. cummings 40 years ago at the age of 17. And I continue coming back to his poetry as a touchstone, as it so effectively, simply and elegantly exemplifies those qualities of aliveness, honesty, emotional and intellectual integrity that I most seek and seek most to impart, through art."

The celebration will conclude at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at the St. Marcelline Catholic Church, 822 S. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg. Heartland Voices will reprise their newly commissioned work and perform selections especially chosen to compliment the remainder of the concert. Selections include "Benedictus" by Jocelyn Hagen and "Animal Crackers" by Eric Whitacre.

"I have tried to perform a variety of choral literature due to the versatility of the singers in Heartland," Slawson stated. "They are always very willing to sing anything I present to them."

Their guest for the second concert will be the St. Marcelline Catholic Church Sanctuary Choir. The 40 voices of the Sanctuary Choir have been heard at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Cathedral of the Holy Name in Chicago, and churches and cathedrals across Europe.

Heartland Voices consists of professional and professionally trained singers from the Chicago area. Rehearsals are 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the First United Methodist Church in Elgin. For tickets or to schedule an audition, call (847) 429-9486, or visit www.heartlandvoices.org.