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Drakensberg/GECC Concert Rocked!
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On March 17th the Drakensberg Boys' Choir of South Africa, and the GECC performed to a standing room only house at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park. Both groups were at the top of their game as each performed songs from their own repertoire and came together for a rousing rendition of a traditional South African folk song, complete with choreography. The glorious music and the infectious dances had the audience on their feet more than once. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The evening began with a traditional South African Braai (barbeque) for both choruses provided by the South African Consulate and Alastair Robertson, President of Indaba Midwest, a South African club. The choristers and the staffs got to know each other while enjoying some amazing food. After the concert, Drakensberg choristers and staff were housed with Chorus families over the weekend, until they had to take their reluctant leave on Monday morning. Everyone felt an amazing bond and the GECC is even more excited about their upcoming trip to South Africa in July.
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Alumni News-Allison Ahlgrim 1996-2001
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Since leaving the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus after a wonderful five-year run, I have sung in a wide variety of settings, from a few different choirs to a high school a cappella group to solo recitals to onstage in New York City (okay, so it's just been through my college, New York University, so far). My latest engagement closely rivals the amazing summer 2000 tour to Australia/New Zealand with the Touring Chorus as one of the best experiences to date: during my current semester studying abroad in Paris, I am singing in the mass choir at St. Eustache, a local cathedral. But this is no ordinary cathedral. St. Eustache is the third largest cathedral in Paris, situated in the middle of Les Halles (the old markets), with one of the greatest organs in all of Europe, as well as some of the most amazing acoustics I have ever sung in. I sing with the choir every Sunday morning for the main service, reading new music every week and practically sight-reading anything from Goudimel to Vittoria to Bach, in one of four different languages (French, Latin, German, and a French-pronounced English). I'm basically living a dream. Truthfully, I have GECC to thank for the fulfillment of this dream. Normally, one cannot be a part of the mass choir without also singing for the main choir which rehearses two nights a week. I have class one of those nights. With the help of my host father, who also sings in the choir, I persuaded the director to at least let me audition. My general training from GECC may have been enough to get me in, but I truly have the emphasis that was placed on sight-reading to thank: I sight-read a Kyrie confidently, with only one small error. The director was impressed enough that he invited me to sing with the mass choir every Sunday until I leave in May. I have many fond memories of my time with GECC: tours, retreats, singing Mahler's Third three times within the span of two years, exchanges with the Soul Children of Chicago, Mr. Buhr's downright incredible accompaniment and huge hugs, Ms. Ellsworth's constant energy and food metaphors, and the friendships that I formed which last to this day. And now, with GECC's training to thank, I have a fond memory of singing in Paris to add to my collection of amazing experiences.
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Emily's Notes
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What an extraordinary week we’ve just finished!After last weekend’s spectacular joint concert with the Drakensberg Boys' Choir of South Africa, we celebrated the first anniversary of the rebuilding of St. Michael’s Church in Wheaton with a full concert, then headed straight for the national convention of American Kodaly Educators at the Palmer House in downtown Chicago. The Touring Chorus sang a featured performance in the Grand Ballroom for a full house of appreciative music educators from all over the country. A varied program of contemporary American and indigenous music from both our own country and South Africa led to a standing ovation for our hard working young artists.Over the course of four days, I was also conducting the national children’s honor choir for the convention, with young singers from every corner of the U.S. Bill Buhr provided wonderful support from the keyboard. We performed our final concert at Symphony Center to a remarkably full and enthusiastic audience - very exciting for us all. So, at the conclusion of this remarkable week, we took a much appreciated spring break! Happy Spring to all.
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Support GECC Without Spending a Cent!
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The Chorus is part of two organizations which support non-profit corporations, just by using their websites. Shopping Online-iGive.com donates money to the Chorus each time you purchase something through their site. Simply sign up (it's free) and choose the GECC as your charity and every time you use their site to shop on line the Chorus will benefit. Searching Online-goodsearch.com is a search engine much like google, but each time you use this vehicle to search for something the Chorus will receive a donation. Simply go onto the site and choose the GECC as your charity. If everyone who receives this newsletter switched to this search engine the dollars would add up fast!
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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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