Prairie Sky Quintet and local artists to perform for NAMI KDK fundraiser

On Sunday, July 26, NAMI KDK is hosting a benefit concert featuring patriotic, Broadway, and classical music at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Aurora. The concert will feature the Prairie Sky Quintet, Marmion Academy Brass Ensemble, and sopranos Dana Vetter and Roxann Ferguson.

The concert will be 2 to 4 p.m. at the church, 27 S. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora, Doors open at 1:45 p.m. Parking is free and there is ample intimate seating. This concert will accept a freewill offering, with proceeds going to NAMI-Kane-south, DeKalb, and Kendall counties.

NAMI is a not-for-profit membership organization created to improve the lives of individuals and families challenged by mental illness. It influences public polices, provides up-to-date education and support programs, and increases public awareness and understanding of mental illness.

The Prairie Sky Quintet has performed around the Chicago area and recently raised money for women’s educational scholarships through the PEO Chapter MV, as well as performances at the Mayslake Peabody Estate. Collectively, the woodwind quintet has decades of experience as ensemble players, soloists, conductors, composers and teachers. Over the years, they have played with Chicago area groups including Sinfonietta Bel Canto Chamber Orchestra and Opera, Sinfonietta DuPage, Wheaton Municipal Band, American Wind Band, Fox Valley Symphony, and the Sicilian Band of Chicago.

Soprano Dana Vetter has most recently been featured with Sinfonietta Bel Canto in several productions, including Gretel in “Hänsel & Gretel” and Le Feu/Rossignol in “L’enfant et les Sortileges.” Other favorite roles include Belladova in “Phantom” and Mrs. Nordstrom in “A Little Night Music,” Eileen in “Wonderful Town” (Falls Patio Players) and Sandy in “Fortuna and the Time-Bender” (Milwaukee Metro Voices). She will be playing Sarah Brown in “Guys & Dolls” in Summer Place Theatre in June.

Soprano Roxann Ferguson has performed in productions ranging from opera to improv, and with several Chicago area companies. Recent performances this season include Gretel in “Hänsel & Gretel” with Sinfonietta Bel Canto, Laetitia in “The Old Maid and the Thief” with Four Seasons Chamber Music Society, and concert appearances featuring Broadway and operatic favorites. She can also be heard on the Naxos recording of Paul Abrahám’s operetta Ball at the Savoy. In addition to singing, Roxann is a professional voiceover actor and has been featured in national ad campaigns.

Marmion Brass Ensemble is under the leadership and direction of Rene Rosas, director of the Marmion Academy Band. This group features the principal players from Marmion’s Brass Section, including two trumpets, two horns, trombone and euphonium, and two tubas.