Jazz, Irish tunes featured in upcoming MCC concerts

McHenry County College is welcoming two acts this month as part of its Second Sunday Concert Series.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13, Sessions Jazz will perform works from Duke Ellington, Henry Mancini, Charlie Parker, and more. The ensemble is composed of Bill Toalson and Dr. Terry Bugno on the trumpet, Hugo Alcazar on the saxophone, Al Skaronea on piano, Charlie Rigg on bass, and Brad Skaronea on drums.

Later that week on Wednesday, March 16, at 7 p.m., the college will honor St. Patrick's Day with performances from Pat Gaughan, Nancy Maio, and L.J. Slavin. The group combines Pat's rich voice and intricate guitar playing with Nancy's beautiful fiddle and LJ's virtuosity on many instruments, including the mandolin, flute, and Irish pennywhistle. The trio will present a program of traditional Irish ballads, pub songs, and Irish dance tunes.

The McNulty Irish Dancers, a talented group of students from one of the largest, most active dance studios in the Midwest, will open the concert performing some traditional Irish dances.

"This concert is one of our most enjoyable events of the year," said Mike Hillstrom, music instructor and department chair at MCC. "We look forward to having a live audience return to enjoy the music and the dancing."

Both performances will be held in MCC's Luecht Auditorium, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. The concerts are free and open to the public.

The Second Sunday Concert Series features a variety of classical, jazz, and folk musicians from the greater Chicago area along with semiannual concerts featuring the MCC chorus, concert band, and jazz ensemble. Upcoming performances include Winds off the Lake on April 10 at 3 p.m.; the MCC Chorus on April 14 at 7 p.m..; an MCC Jazz Concert on April 20 at 7 p.m.; the MCC Concert Band on April 24 at 3 p.m.; and an MCC student recital on May 8 at 7 p.m.

MCC no longer requires masks/face coverings to be worn on campus. However, event attendees and individuals in crowded classrooms/highly populated areas of campus are strongly advised to continue wearing a mask when there is difficulty distancing.

For more information about the Second Sunday Concert Series, call Michael Hillstrom at (815) 479-7814.