Elgin Choral Union in concert Dec. 15
On Dec. 15, the 125-voice Elgin Choral Union will present the 2007 edition of its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. in Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
The concert is designed and priced especially this season to appeal to families of all ages.
Maestro Andrew Lewis will lead the audience on a musical journey through time, featuring works from the Renaissance through the Baroque eras to the contemporary age, including the Fox Valley favorite "This Christmastide," written and premiered locally in 1988 by English composer Donald Fraser while temporarily living in Geneva.
Favorite traditional carols will not be forgotten, three contained in a medley for chorus by composer Jerry Brubaker, and three others set for an audience sing-along. There will also be a selection from choral music's latest wunderkind Eric Whitacre, the haunting "Lux Aurumque."
Accompanying the Choral Union will be brass players from the award-winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and ECU's own accompanist Jon Warfel on organ and piano.
Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors, $15 for students, and $5 for children under 10 if accompanied by a paying adult. Group rates are also available. Tickets may be purchased by phone or in person from the ECC box office in the Visual and Performing Arts Center or call (847) 622-0300.
The Elgin Choral Union is an In-Residence Ensemble at the Elgin Community College Performing Arts Institute, and is partially supported by grants from the City of Elgin, Illinois Arts Council, Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Seigle Family Foundation, Grand Victoria Foundation, Palmer Foundation, and Target.
Its members are drawn from over 30 communities, including those in Indiana and Wisconsin. The Elgin Choral Union is celebrating its 61st year, making it the oldest continuously operating arts group in the western suburbs.
For information about this performance, or on becoming a member, call Lisa Wright, executive director, at (847) 214-7513.