Illinois Brass Band returns to St. Charles church for 'Holiday Classics' Dec. 18

On Saturday, Dec. 18, music director Stephen Squires and the Illinois Brass Band will perform their popular "Holiday Classics" at 5 p.m. at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave. in St. Charles.

The concert will feature the sounds of the season with familiar carols and songs.

The performance will open with "A Christmas Overture," penned by Nigel Hess as a commission for famed choral composer and conductor John Rutter. "Benedicamus Domino," originally scored for full symphony orchestra by composer Andrew Wainwright, will also be featured.

Tuba soloist Rob Barnes will be featured on the holiday classic "Frosty the Snowman," which will be sure to entertain the child in all of us. Vocalist Amy Bearden, making her Illinois Brass Band debut, will be featured on many pieces including narrating "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and leading the popular sing-along.

Admission is $12 or $6 for children 18 and under. A family ticket plan is being offered at $30 which covers two adults and up to four children under the age of 18.

Tickets are available at the door or in advance at illinoisbrassband.org.

The Illinois Brass Band is a 30-member British style brass band in its 30th year of performing throughout the Chicago area, and is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Follow www.facebook.com/illinoisbrassband.