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Villa Bianca
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JoAnne Hickman, Mary Scheive & Courtney Hickman peruse the beautiful items for sale at Villa Bianca. Randi Simon is in the background.
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On October 27th the GECC invited our Encore Society members to an evening of entertainment and camaraderie. Hosted by Al & Ginger Haffar at their store Villa Bianca, and catered by True Cuisine, the evening was a wonderful mix of music, food and friends. We were pleased to have a few new members join us, and of course it is always good to see old friends. Annette Ellingwood, who does oil portraits, provided some insight into her art and everyone walked away educated and impressed. But of course the highlight of the evening was the GECC Chamber Ensemble performance. Their acappella versions of several songs, including a traditional West African piece Sansa Kroma as well as an Australian piece Sesere eeye, reminded the audience once again of why they support the Chorus in such a meaningful way. Thank you to all of our guests for a wonderful evening!
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Boys Only!
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Caleb Betczynski and Christian Kas
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The GECC's annual Boys Only! Bash was a rousing success. Held at St. John's Lutheran church in Wheaton on November 4th, this year's event featured Emily Ellsworth, Artistic Director of the GECC and William Gordon, music conductor from the Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth as co-clinicians.
Designed to give boys an exceptional singing experience as well as having a lot of fun and making new friends, the event is always action-packed. Approximately 65 boys from about 14 different towns joined in the fun. Ms. Ellsworth and Mr. Gordon had them singing everything from Tshotsholoza (a traditional South African song) to Come Go With Me (a doo-wop hit from the 50s). Carpe Diem, the GECC chorus of young men with changed voices, let loose with some of their favorites and the day culminated in a concert performed by the participants, and presented free of charge.
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Alumni News-Margo Matthew
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Margo, is a lifelong Glen Ellyn resident and has been a longtime parent volunteer in various capacities while her daughter Erin sang with the chorus for 8 years. Margo still is involved, currently serving her second term as a Board member of the GECC. Her earliest GECC experience was quite a family affair with her sister Leslie and brother Pete all singing at different times and together from the 1960's to the late 1970's. Margo's first performance was singing in the Nun's chorus of The Glen Ellyn Children's Theater production of The Sound of Music under the direction of GECC Founder Barbara Born. Her sister Leslie was Maria Von Trapp and her mother, Bonnie was a founding parent volunteer, costume chair and one of the longtime "Robe Ladies". Her late brother Peter loved the chorus immensely and stayed in even as his voice changed! They all were a part of numerous recordings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Ella Jenkins and performed at Carnegie Hall, Ravinia, Orchestra Hall and the Lyric Opera under the direction of Sir Georg Solti, Claudia Abbado, and James Levine, among others. Currently, Margo is the Director of Development for Bridge Communities, Inc., a private not for profit organization whose mission is to promote self-sufficiency by providing transitional housing, supportive services and mentoring to homeless families in DuPage County. She also is an active volunteer for other organizations in the community. She has a journalism degree from Butler University and has had articles published in The Glen Ellyn News, The Daily Herald, and in Danby magazine. Margo is awaiting her big break when she has her novel published and will undoubtedly direct some of the proceeds back to the GECC because of her lifelong passion for the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus!!
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Emily's Notes
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Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Calling all ALUMNI and DADS
(and older brothers, grandpas, uncles....)
As promised, there WILL be a cool opportunity to sing on the December concert at Edman Chapel. Our guest artist/composer, Glenn McClure, will be on hand to participate in the Midwest premiere of selected movements from his Caribbean Christmas Mass for steel pan drums, percussion, piano, and bass. The first movement we're performing, "Veni, Veni Emmanuel", will be performed by ALUMS, DADS, etc., and CARPE DIEM (our young men's ensemble) ALONE. You will also join us for the final movement, and for some traditional carols! It will be amazing and oh! so fun.
Here's the rehearsal schedule (kept succinct to maximize participation):
Thursday, December 14 (post GECC dress rehearsal)
Wurdack Room, east wing of Edman Chapel, 8:45- 10:00 p.m.
With myself and Bill Buhr
(We will pass out music at this rehearsal - no learning ahead of time)
Saturday, December 16 (concert day)
Wurdack Room again, 11:00-12:30.
You can then have time to go out for lunch, then return to rehearse on stage
at 2:45 pm with all the GECC choristers.
Concert: 4 p.m.
I'm counting on a great turnout so our guest composer's wonderful music is given
a fine performance! Come one, come all - the more the merrier!
Please call or e-mail the office by 12/1/06 at the absolute latest, so we can keep a list of participants and have sufficient music ready! (630.858.2471 OR info@gechildrenschorus.org)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Emily
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For tickets to Patapan! (Drumming for the Season) click here or call the GECC office at 630-858-2471. Tickets are $25 for reserved seating, $15 for general admission and special rates are available for groups of 18 or more.
If you are interested in joining the GECC, ensemble placement hearings will be held in January for children in 3rd through 8th grade. Musical Experience for Children is also accepting children from kindergarten through 2nd grade, no placement hearing necessary. If you are a young man with a changed voice, and would be interested in joining Carpe Diem, they too will be accepting new members in January. For information visit our website www.gechildrenschorus.org or call the offie at 630-858-2471.
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