Public invited to holiday concerts

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Volunteer band ready for holiday concert

Annual Christmas Concert

7 p.m. Wednesday

Boutell Memorial Concert Hall

Northern Illinois University campus in DeKalb

The Greater Kishwaukee Area Concert Band wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy New Year – and is offering a festive holiday concert to the public.

More than 30 pieces of music for this concert have been rehearsed this fall by the all-volunteer band made up of adults who have had some musical experience in the past and who continue to play instruments for the enjoyment of playing.

The concert is free and handicapped accessible. Milly Sulaver is sponsoring this concert in memory of her sister, Joan Sulaver.

The concert will include religious pieces such as “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and popular tunes including “Winter Wonderland,” along with a wide variety of carols.

Zachary Harris, a well-known vocalist in the area will be the soloist on Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” Harris will also lead the audience in two sing-a-longs of Christmas favorites.

Hanukkah is also a very special season to many band members and friends. An arrangement of “Three Moods of Hanukkah” has been given to the band by Lennie Niehaus. Jerry Zar will explain each of the three selections.

Denny Vaupel will be the guest conductor for several pieces after the intermission.

Finishing the program will be “Jingle Bells Fantasy” – a piece that has the band playing “Jingle Bells” in  five different musical styles. The audience will help the band close the program with the singing of “Silent Night.”

Wednesday rehearsals begin Jan. 28 for the band’s next concert on March 15. The band is open to new members. No auditions are needed. For more information call John at 815-825-2350 or Sue at 815-899-4867.

Madrigal dinners set

Sycamore High School’s Madrigal Dinners

6:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday; doors open at 6 p.m.

Activity Center at St. Mary’s of Sycamore

244 Waterman St.

Tickets are $ 22 per person. 

All seating is reserved; call 815-762-4648 to make reservations.

The Sycamore High School Madrigal Troupe will present its 35th annual Madrigal Dinners, transforming the church meeting hall into an English castle, complete with a royal court, troubadours, jesters, beggars, jugglers pages and instrumentalists.

The banquets will include roast beef dinners catered by the Hillside Restaurant.

Symphony orchestra planning wonderland

Winter Wonderland Concert

7 p.m. Friday

The Egyptian Theater

135 N. Second St. in DeKalb

The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will present seasonal favorites, a guest performance by the Celebration Chorale, an annual community sing-along – and a “Toy Symphony,” with instruments provided for children at its Winter Wonderland Concert.

Santa will greet families before the concert and a post-concert reception with the musicians will include holiday treats.

This performance is supported in part by the George E. and Betty B. Dutton Foundation.

General admission tickets will be available at the door after 6 p.m. for $13 for adults, $10 for seniors 62 and older, $10 for students with valid ID and $5 for children 12 and younger.

Children’s chorus to sing at concerts

6:30 p.m.  Dec. 14

Evangelical Free Church of Sycamore-DeKalb

150 Bethany Road in DeKalb

Admission is $2 per person or $10 per family

www.kishchildrenschorus.org

The Kishwaukee Children’s Chorus will be performing a holiday concert, at the Evangelical Free Church of Sycamore-DeKalb, featuring Christmas music and holiday favorites and entertaining musical selections.

The chorus, directed by Paul Rogers, is a community group comprised of musically talented children, grades 3-6, who are committed to learning and performing. For more information, contact Debi Frankovich, chorus manager, at 815-895-9090 or info@kishchildrenschorus.org.

The group will also present a free concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Borders Bookstore, 2520 Sycamore Road in DeKalb.

Festival chorus concert to be taped

DeKalb Festival Chorus’ 2008 Holiday Concert

4 p.m. Dec. 14

Boutell Memorial Concert Hall

Northern Illinois University Music Building in DeKalb

Tickets, available in advance from chorus members or at the door, are $8 for adults and $5 for children, students and seniors.

DeKalb Festival Chorus, under the direction of Jennifer Whiting, and the Prairie Brass Band from Arlington Heights, directed by Dallas Niermeyer, will present this concert. Amanda Hughes is the piano accompanist.

The concert will be recorded, according to a recent news release, so audience members are asked to plan to be as quiet as Christmas mice.