GECC Hosts Bacchanalia!

Randy Parker-President congratulating GECC alum Cindy Pollack

On February 24th the GECC hosted a benefit to thank our major donors, as well as meet some new people who are considering supporting the Chorus.

The theme of the evening was countries we have toured, so stations were set up featuring foods and wine from the U.S., Italy, Australia, Brazil and China. Board members were on hand to talk about the tours and to pour the wine.

The evening started off with a bang, when Cindy Pollack, a GECC alum, won our Get to Know the GECC game! Every guest had been given a game card with questions about the GECC. Clues were hidden around the room and everyone learned a few things they did not know before. Magician Kerry Gibbons was also on hand, performing magic tricks as he mingled with the crowd. 

At 8PM sharp the Touring Chorus performed, treating the crowd to everything from the lovely Jasmine sung in Chinese, to a rousing Amazing Grace. Bill Buhr, in one of his rare solo performances, played a medley of Gershwin pieces and thrilled everyone there. Fantastic performances all around. Choristers Kelly Bylica and Kate Maude eloquently spoke of what the Chorus means to them, and touched us all.   

After the formal program, Bill Buhr retired to the Piano Bar and entertained the crowd until almost midnight. A few brave souls joined him at the piano and sang some old favorites.

Other prize winners included Randi Simon and Bruce Ulrich who won wine baskets and Jim and Mary Beth Theiss who won the tickets to CSO's Berenboim Farewell Concert (donated by Jim Dwyer and Sally Nagel )and dinner for two donated by Rhapsody restaurant. Joanne and Michael Hickman won a lovely handmade quilt which was both made and donated by Lucy Dallman.  

All in all it was a wonderful event and one which we will all remember for a long time.

Ruth Ann is a retired attorney who currently resides in Naperville with husband Brian and son Matthew.

Ruth Ann was in the GECC from 1971-1974 and has the following to say about her experience:

"I feel stronger about my alumni status in the GECC than I do my college or law school. Not only did I develop a deep appreciation of all forms of music (including an expensive opera addiction), I learned how to use my body as an instrument, professionalism, and the joy of performance. These lessons have served me well in theater, law practice and preaching.

One of the reasons my mom and dad moved us to Glen Ellyn was because my grandmother sent a Chicago Tribune article about the GECC to them as they were contemplating communities to look at for the family relocation from East Peoria to a home closer to O'Hare airport for my dad's job. As a result, Glen Ellyn was put on the list of places to look at and that is where we ended up. It's amazing the reach the GECC can have in your life.!"

On February 16th, the GECC was honored to perform as a featured choir at the Central Region convention of the American Choral Directors' Association.  Conductors from four midwest states and many different organizations - schools, churches, universities, and professional choirs - gathered at the Chicago Hilton for three days of sessions. 

Our choristers once again did themselves proud, performing a varied program from contemporary works to early Baroque, and including excerpts from last spring's glorious opera, commissioned for our 40th anniversary, Imant Raminsh's The Nightingale. 

The hour was early for singing (8:15 am!) but the energy was high as we delighted in sharing the music we love with such an informed audience. 

This marks the fourth ACDA convention (two regional and two national) since 1999 on which we have appeared - quite an accomplishment for our wonderful singers!

Emily Ellsworth

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