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Hansel & Gretel a Hit!
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Peyton Pruitt, Amanda Denhof, Emma Parravano & Kenny Lumb
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Congratulations to the twenty-five members of the Concert Chorus who participated in the DuPage Opera Theatre's presentation of Hansel & Gretel January 26-29. Held at the McAninch Center at the College of DuPage, the choristers portrayed captives of the witch. They have been turned into gingerbread people, and come back to life when the witch is thrown in the oven. The richly costumed children then dance and sing their way through the finale. The opera was very well received, with a full house for the Friday through Sunday performances. On Monday school groups came from all over the county for a demonstration performance and these children were especially excited to see the GECC kids. Kirk Muspratt, the opera theatre's artistic and music director was so impressed with the Chorus he immediately invited them to sing with the opera company again!
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Alumni News-Jessica (Rau) Lofbomm
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I had a memorable experience in GECC 1989-1995, and I am forever grateful for the musical excellence, the love of travel, the discipline, and the professionalism I gained from my six years in the program. This education has been an asset in every phase of my life. Under the direction of Sandra Prodan and Lisa Sirvatka (with the incredible, huggable Mr. Buhr on piano), I sang in such places as Disney World, Carnegie Hall, Ravinia Festival, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Canada, Norway, and Denmark.
After GECC, I went on to earn a music degree from Belmont University in Nashville in which I studied classical and popular styles of music as well as songwriting. Shortly after I graduated, I married Adam Lofbomm in Nashville. I worked a couple of years in the event planning department of EMI Christian Music Group. Then, I released my debut CD "Tonic" in June, 2006. You can hear tracks from my album at JessicaLofbomm.com. This past August, shortly after my CD release, Adam and I moved to Paju, South Korea where I am teaching English, singing at every opportunity, and beginning to write songs for a new album. My husband and I love the arts and hospitality, and we plan to live a global life. Ultimately, we plan to open a guest house/artist retreat in a beautiful location where travelers, artists, musicians and writers can come to rest and create together. My husband and I are avid bloggers, and you can read about our travels on our website, Lofbomm.com.
It is an honor to be highlighted in the GECC newsletter. I wish the very best to all choristers and alumni. What a gift we have in the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus!
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Save the Date!
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On March 17, 2007 the GECC will be performing in a joint concert with the Drakensberg Boys Choir of South Africa. This extraordinary group of young men tour once each year to support their school in South Africa. The concert will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park in the evening. More to follow!
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Emily's Notes
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A new year with new beginnings....
We're welcoming new choristers into Treble, and Concert Choruses, and beginning new MEC classes at the Wheaton Park District. Carpe Diem, our young men's ensemble, is doing its first school assembly this month at a junior high school in Oak Brook, and all our choristers and conductors are gleefully digging into new repertoire!
The winter and spring are chock full of wonderful experiences for all. This month Concert Chorus members made their operatic debut as the gingerbread children in DuPage Opera Theater's production of Hansel and Gretel. Treble Chorus will be doing an early set of concerts with Wheaton's SilverTones - a multi-generational event to benefit the Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream. Touring Chorus is preparing for special workshops with a South African music specialist from Chicago.
On a personal note, the December concert's surprise celebration of my 10 years as Artistic Director of the GECC was a truly heartwarming occasion. Thank you all for the cards, gifts, speeches, beautiful reception, and scrapbook commemorating the occasion. I will forever treasure the memories I have with this Chorus and its families. Furthermore, what a team effort we have here, with stellar staff, parents, children, and board of directors all working together to make the magic happen. Long live the GECC.
Emily Ellsworth
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African Barbeque to Benefit the GECC
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An African Barbeque and cocktail party to support the Chorus is being held on February 16, 2007 at the Glen Oak Country Club in Glen Ellyn at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $60. For more information contact the GECC office at 630-858-2471.
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For more information about the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus call 630-858-2471 or visit our website at www.gechildrenschorus.org
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