Join 'Bach Around the Clock' benefit concert March 9

Help celebrate J.S. Bach's 334th birthday with a community concert featuring musicians of all ages playing the music of J.S. Bach for 12 straight hours.

First United Methodist Church in Elgin will host "Bach Around the Clock" as its next "Concerts for a Cause" on Saturday, March 9. A freewill donation will benefit the Ecker Center for Mental Health.

More than 200 area musicians will bring their musical talents, including members of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Visual and Performing Arts Academy from Larkin High School, the Viento String Quintet, Constance Hughes, the Suzuki Strings of Elgin, and a combined Methodist church choir.

There also will be a special musical treat from Jay Warren, Chicago's foremost photoplay organist, who will be playing the Austin pipe organ to a Harold Lloyd silent film "Get Out and Get Under". The 1920 film and performance will begin at 2:30 p.m.

"Bach Around the Clock" will run 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the church, 216 E. Highland Ave. After the organ music opening, the trio of flutists Scott Metlicka and Jean Bishop and cellist Sara Sitzer will perform sonatas by J.S. Bach at 9:05 a.m.

Other performers include: Zoe Wojciechowski on flute at 9:20 a.m.; violinists and violists of the Suzuki School of Elgin with director Lamar Blum, at 9:30 a.m.; Larkin High Visual & Performing Arts Academy Chamber Orchestra with director Ruth Cavanaugh at 10 a.m.; Suzuki students Aya Carson and Lexie Sanders on cello; Jonathan Hirtzig on organ/piano at 10:30 a.m.; pianist Claudine Myers at 10:45 a.m.; organist Jeffrey Neufeld at 11 a.m.; pianist Maeve Walters at 11:20 a.m.; Barbara Saks on flute at 11:35 a.m.; pianist Stacey Monroe at noon; baritone Earl Rigsby at 12:15 p.m.; organist Ralph Pugh at 12:30 p.m.; Celebration Ringers of First United Methodist Church with director Jonathan Besancon at 1 p.m.; pianist Susan Zurcher at 1:15 p.m.; Elias Broxham on double bass at 1:30 p.m.; pianist Constance Hughes and students on piano and harp at 1:45 p.m.

At 3 p.m., there will be an Ecker Center presentation. At 3:05 p.m., vocalist Laura Johnson will perform "Ave Maria." Pianist Jonathan Besancon will perform at 3:10 p.m. The Viento Wind Quintet will perform at 3:30 p.m.

The Cathedral Choir of First United Methodist Church with director Matthew Weber will perform "Crucifixus" at 4:05 p.m. Organist Mark Johnson will perform at 4:20 p.m.

The Elgin Symphony trio featuring violinists Eric Pidluski and Cristina Buciu, and cellist Sara Sitzer will perform at 4:30 p.m. Baritone Earl Rigsby will sing two arias from the "Coffee Cantata" at 5:15 p.m., followed by flutist Barbara Saks at 5:30 p.m.

At 5:45 p.m., the choir of Salem United Methodist Church in Barrington, with director David Hartley and accompanist Zheko Neder, will perform at 5:45 p.m.

At 6 p.m., Linda and Karisa Scheifele will perform four-hands piano. At 6:10 p.m., pianist Tejaswini Joshi performs, followed by soprano Laura Johnson singing "Ave Maria" at 6:20 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m., pianist Jonathan Besancon will perform. At 6:50 p.m., soprano Charmaine Jake-Matthews will sing "My Heart Ever Faithful."

At 7 p.m., organist Jeffrey Neufeld will perform, followed at 7:20 p.m. by tenor and pianist Nicholas Metzer. Pianist Susan Zurcher will offer a hymn sing at 7:40 p.m.

At 8 p.m., pianist Allison Hill will perform, followed at 8:10 p.m. by soloist Matthew Weber singing "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." It will conclude with organist Mark Johnson.

A lunch of chili, soup, salad, crackers and bread will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $5 per person.

A dinner of chicken casserole (made famous at the Mistletoe Mart), vegetable, salad, and bread will be served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for $8 per person.

Come and enjoy in the historic sanctuary, located in downtown Elgin. It is the perfect venue for such a monumental birthday bash. From string ensembles to vocalists, to solo instrumentalists from throughout the Fox Valley area, the music will be in celebration of the gifts that Bach has bestowed upon us. There will be cake!

Bach Around the Clock events are celebrated around the country. The Elgin concert is meant to recognize the genius of Bach, to showcase the amazing musical talent found throughout the Fox Valley, and to support the mental health resources in the community.

The Ecker Center's life-changing work has helped thousands of residents in Elgin, St. Charles and Geneva through its advocacy and referral and psychiatric services. If you cannot attend the concert but would like to make a donation to the Ecker Center, visit www.fumcelgin.org/bach_around_the_clock__march_2019.

For additional details, visit fumcelgin.org or call (847) 741-0038.