Heartland Voices to perform in Elgin, Schaumburg
In “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” Heartland Voices will offer two evening candlelight concerts on Saturday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 19, and a family-friendly matinee performance on Dec. 11.
Come to the evening concerts and be transported to a Christmas in Paris. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Paris at this magical time of year through this interactive and uplifting departure from more formal concert settings.
“The audience will experience being seated in one of France's most famous cathedrals, while enjoying an eclectic presentation of music from early French renaissance to modern day,” said Marc Alan Brunelle, assistant conductor.
The more traditional second half of the program on Dec. 11 will feature Heartland Voices and guest ensemble, the 100-voice Elgin Children's Chorus Concert Choir, who will perform “In the Bleak Midwinter” as arranged by their conductor, Jay Kellner. Heartland Voices will perform new and more traditional music of the season, ending with the ever-popular “This Christmastide,” by Donald Fraser. Enjoy the concert at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. in Elgin.
The second half of the program on Sunday, Dec. 19, will feature the music of Heartland Voices and guest ensemble, the St. Marcelline Sanctuary Choir. This choir has performed at the Vatican and is planning a tour of Spain in 2011. Come hear the concert at their home venue, St. Marcelline Catholic Church, 822 S. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg, at 7 p.m.
Looking for a holiday activity for the children? Attend the family-friendly matinee performance at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Guest artists for the afternoon include the Elgin Children's Chorus Intermezzo Choir and the Clare Woods Academy Children's Choir, a choir for special-needs children.
Heartland Voices and the guest choirs will perform well-known seasonal songs, a singalong, and something for the children. The concert will be at the First United Methodist Church in Elgin.
The spirit of giving is present at all Heartland Voices' holiday concerts. The matinee performance kicks off the Heartland Voices' 11th annual Holiday Charity Drive. This year's recipients are the Community Crisis Center of Elgin and the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Schaumburg. Any child who brings an item to donate will get free admission.
Heartland Voices is a nonprofit organization and is once again a proud partner of “Elgin: Home for the Holidays,” a collaboration of Elgin-area nonprofit organizations. A schedule of their holiday events can be found at elginhomefortheholidays.com.
Heartland Voices consists of professional and professionally trained singers from the greater Chicago area. Heartland Voices is led by John G. Slawson, professor of music and director of choral studies at Elgin Community College. The choir is accompanied by Paul Satre, professor of music at the School of Music at Trinity International University and principal organist at the Moody Church of Chicago. Marc Alan Brunelle, minister of liturgy and music at St. Marcelline Catholic Church, is the assistant conductor.
For tickets or to schedule an audition, call the Heartland Voices at (847) 429-9486, or visit Heartland Voices' website at heartlandvoices.org. Tickets are also available at the door.