Laura Winans-Lee

On February 16th the GECC hosted a fundraising benefit at the Glen Oak Country Club. We welcomed old friends and new for an evening of food, wine, music and fun. 

In honor of the Touring Chorus' upcoming tour to South Africa, everyone enjoyed authentic African dishes. Each of the five stations boasted a different type of food, and all of them were delicious. South African wines were paired with the food to complete the culinary experience.

The Touring Chorus, conducted by Emily Ellsworth, treated the crowd to a number of African songs including "Nkosi Sikalel' iAfrica", "Siya Hamba" (remember that one alumni?) and "Sansa Kroma". They finished the performance with a couple of favorites: "Zion's Walls" and "Untraveled Worlds".

Elena Morgan and Kelly Fox, current choristers in their senior year, spoke to the guests about their personal journeys with the GECC. Combined these two young women have 23 years with the Chorus and some great stories to tell!

Guests also enjoyed various raffles. Norm Prestage won the original oil painting "Children Playing" by South African artist Solomon Sekhaolela. The painting was donated by Nancy McDaniel and Leila Green of "Dumela". Laura Winans Lee won the African themed quilt, designed, made and donated by alumni parent Lucy Dallman, owner of Magical Quilts. There was also a drawing for those who made donations that evening; winners were Rick Mattoon & Jane Melvin and Bob & Anne Pillion. A number of people played our "Get to Know the GECC Game" and the winners were Winifred Creamer, Julie Paul and Jay Payne.

A big thank you to the sponsors who helped to make this benefit successful: Community Bank of Glen Ellyn, Suburban Bank and Superior Ambulance.

Alumni News-Cary Lovett

Please join us on March 17 at 7:30 pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake Street in Oak Park for a unique choral experience. We will be performing with the famous Drakensberg Boy's Choir. For more information or to order tickets click here.

I have a number of quotes from various individuals on the bulletin board in my office at GECC.  One of them is by Sergei Rachmaninoff, the famous Russian composer and pianist who lived from 1873 - 1943.  In his words, "Music is enough for a lifetime - but a lifetime
is not enough for music."  How true those words ring to me.

In any given season, the amount of music we absorb, from different cultures, time periods, and styles is a rich bounty of discovery.  Each piece offers an opportunity to study, hone many skills, and engage the imagination in countless ways.  I often say to the singers that no piece is ever "finished," because each time we come to it, we can bring something new.  Each piece allows us to step into a different world, perform it with as much integrity and respect as possible, and step out still ourselves, but - hopefully - better.  More compassionate, more skillful, more understanding of the world in which we live.

And then there's the infinite list of music waiting to be discovered....
Rachmaninoff got it right.

Emily Ellsworth

Over the course of the year, a number of organizations support the Chorus, thereby making it possible for us to continue providing extraordinary choral musical experiences for our choristers and our audiences. Thank you.

If you would like to support the GECC, or are interested in sponsoring and event, please call Nondi Orazi at 630-858-2471.