Accolades Pour in for "Stories in Song"  

Dress Rehearsal

A few comments were "..the slow humming chorus from Touring was a study in sustained, high, in-tune unison singing...most (adult) choruses can't do that as well" Jonathan Miller-Artistic Director, Chicago A Cappella and "the programming....was inspired and the quality of the musical performances was the highest" Karen Haugen-alumni parent.

The young people of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra joined with the young people of the GECC for an amazing performance. Treble Chorus was wonderful performing three rhymes from A Child's Garden of Verses, Concert Chorus performed the beautiful Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Touring Chorus had everyone in tears with No One is Alone. Soloists Lindsay Kesselman and David Govertsen blew everyone away with their soaring rendition of "La ci darem la mano" from Don Giovanni. The staging of each piece wove together the circle of life, and added still another dimension to a wonderful event. 

The culmination was when the entire ensemble joined in singing and dancing to Scott Joplin's "We're Goin' Around", and left the audience humming the tune as they exited another great concert! 

Since I left GECC in 19-cough,cough,cough, (83?) I have led a full and blessed life!  I have noticed that many of the GECC alum go into education, which has been my path, as well.  After graduating from St. Norbert College in 1990, I have had several outstanding teaching experiences.  And while I taught first grade in Batavia, and middle school at Monroe Middle School in Wheaton, nothing prepared me for a move to Carpentersville as a school administrator.  I am now the principal of Lakewood School in Carpentersville, IL.  Lakewood is a high poverty school where we have made great gains in academic achievement in the past 4 years!  I am proud of our staff and students.

I have twice been on the Board of Directors of the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus.  As a school principal, I know and deeply value the arts, both in our schools and out.  It is vital that we all continue to build a strong foundation of artistic excellence by supporting groups like ANIMA in any way we can.  While getting an “A” in math or reading is a significant individual achievement, singing on the stage of Symphony Center gives students a sense of being part of something greater than themselves.

My wife, Mary, and I, are the proud parents of Maggie (8) and Sam (6), both of whom are in MEC.  We love attending GECC concerts together and supporting the arts in every way we can!  

Concert Chorus at the Freedom Center

The Concert Chorus took a whirlwind tour to Cincinnati to sing with the Cincinnati Children's Choir. Leaving on Friday and returning on Sunday they managed to visit the Indy 500 museum ("awesome"), sing a joint concert on Saturday night, and sing at a church service on Sunday morning. They also visited the Freedom Center in Cincinnati and learned a great deal about the underground railroad and the role it played in the history of the United States. Everyone came home exhausted and amazed at what they had seen and done.

May has become one of the busiest times of the year, full of concerts, graduations, celebrations, final exams, weddings, receptions, etc.! My own household has had two  graduations this month – events which both bring an era to an end and herald the start of new journeys.  It’s an emotional time for everyone.

In looking back on the 07-08 season, I’m grateful for the fine work our music staff has done with our performing ensembles, and for the excellent support our administrative staff has given to the musical mission of this chorus.  Highlights of the season include hosting two international organizations, continuing or new collaborations with Music of the Baroque, Millennium Park, and Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, staging work with all three of our main ensembles, and, of course, accomplishing a name change for this organization after 43 years!  Everything we do is truly a team effort – the result of so many individuals’ hard work, extra time, and sincere belief in our mission to enliven and shape young lives through choral singing.

The last week of May brings a much needed break from rehearsals as we celebrate the season together at Churchill Woods and begin the audition process for next year.  Then it’s full speed ahead into summer rehearsals for three different projects, involving members of Concert and Touring choruses, plus alumni: the Windy City Choral Festival at Symphony Center in June, two performances of opera choruses with the Grant Park Symphony and Chorus August 15 and 16 at Millennium Park, and an August 22^nd a performance of Holst’s The Planets, with alumni and our oldest Touring choristers.

We will do the bulk of the rehearsing for these projects in June so that July may be family/vacation/non-Chorus time for our singers.  Then we can come together once again renewed and ready for more musical adventures.  Happy Spring, all.

Ensemble Placements are taking place right now for our 2008-2009 season. Just call us at 630-858-2471 and schedule an appointment. All kids are welcome and financial aid is available. 

Summer Sing Camps-Boys and Girls entering 3rd - 6th grade are invited to Week Alive! from 9am - 1pm daily from June 16 - June 20. Children entering Kindergarten through 2nd grade are invited to Musical Experience for Children (MEC) on M, W and F from 4-4:50 pm from June 9 - June 25. Camps are held at the College of DuPage. 

Call 630-858-2471 for more information.