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Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale Welcomed New Accompanist and Ensemble Director

The Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year was extremely excited to welcome two new staff members at their first rehearsal on September 8, 2015.

Steve Havens, the chorale's new accompanist says that, "I'm thrilled to serve as accompanist-musical collaborator with the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale this year, and am looking forward to exploring great music and getting acquainted with members of the group."

Steve is an active soloist, chamber musician, accompanist, and free-lance performer. As an accompanist he has performed with choral organizations, opera, musical theater, and ballet. In addition to performances in the United States, Steve has performed in Austria, Germany, France, England, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Steve earned a Master of Music degree in piano from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Doctorate of Music degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Iowa. While in Europe he attended the Hochschule für Musik (Mozarteum) in Salzburg and was chosen to participate in the prestigious Vienna International Master Classes, as a student of Alexander Satz and Paul Badura-Skoda. Steve is currently on the piano faculty at College of DuPage and has also been affiliated with Wheaton College Conservatory of Music.

Courtney Supple, a graduate of the University of Illinois in Choral Music Education, became the new ensemble director for the chorus on September 8th. She has conducted choral and instrumental ensembles for thirteen years. She studied choral conducting with Dr. Joe Grant and Dr. Chester Alwes and has been honored with the Music Education Achievement Award. Courtney tremendously enjoys working with advanced mixed choirs and has expertise with chamber ensembles. She served as Choral Director at Northside High School and Mount Pisgah Christian School in Georgia. There, she also served as soprano, soloist, and guest conductor of the Festival Singers of Atlanta and directed the affiliated Columbus Chamber Singers. When she's not directing choirs or being a mom, she enjoys leading worship at church.

When Courtney was asked what she is looking forward to this year, she stated, "I am greatly looking forward to this year and anticipate a memorable season as we reach others with the beauty, peace, and joy we can communicate through music."

The Chorale's fall session began on September 8, 2015. Greg Wheatley, the musical director announced to the chorale members that the repertoire for this Christmas concert includes the Vivaldi "Magnificat," complete with those sparkling Baroque rhythms, and orchestration for strings, two woodwinds, and keyboard. The Chorale will also sing many other shorter pieces, one of which is a beautiful setting of Isaac Watts' "Cradle Hymn," written by the young composer Kim Andre Arnesen. On the more energetic side of things, they will be performing the exciting arrangement of "Angels From the Realms of Glory" by Dan Forrest.

For more information regarding the Chorale, their upcoming concerts, how to become a Friend of the Chorale, and how you can support the 2016 performance tour group who will be visiting Glen Ellyn's Sister City, LeBouscat, France in June of 2016, please visit www.gewchorale.org

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