Hallelujah! (Chorus that is)

Concert week is here! The Village Singers proudly present Handel's "Messiah" this weekend, and here's a sneak preview for you -- the "Hallelujah" Chorus.  Our community chorus is composed of 50+ local residents under the direction of Nick Juknelis, chorus director at Lake Zurich High School, and we are accompanied by Tara on piano and as well as a dozen strings from the Lake Zurich Orchestra. (double click to open in YouTube and see full frame.)

Saturday Dec. 4th, 7pm

Sunday Dec. 5th, 3pm


at


Alpine Chapel

23153 W Miller Rd

Lake Zurich, IL 60047


Adults $8.00

Seniors and Students $5.00

Children under 12 - Free

Handel's "Messiah" Preview Video

Handel's "Messiah" (part 1) will be presented Saturday, December 4th at 7pm, and again on Sunday, December 5th at 3 pm. Below is a video from yesterday's rehearsal featuring brief excerpts from all 6 choruses in Part 1, as well as the "Hallelujah" chorus.  All will be accompanied by piano and strings, as well as all the solos which will be performed by outstanding soloists in our group.  Our community chorus is composed of 50+ local residents under the direction of Nick Juknelis, chorus director at Lake Zurich High School.

"Messiah" Rehearsals Underway

Excitement is running high following last night's first rehearsal of Handel's "Messiah" for our Christmas concert dates of December 4th and 5th.



Accompanied by violins, we will be performing the first two sections of the Oratorio, including the Recitatives and Arias, with the chorus singing "And the Glory of the Lord," "And He Shall Purify," "O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion," "For Unto Us A Child is Born," "Glory to God," "His Yoke Is Easy," and concluding with "Hallelujah."

Rehearsals are Monday evenings, 7:30 to 9:30 pm, at Alpine Chapel, under the direction of Nick Juknelis.

An oratorio is a sacred story set to music, essentially an opera without costumes or sets.

We are a non-audition chorus, with membership open to all who are interested. The group is sponsored by Lake Zurich Parks and Recreation but you do not have to live in Lake Zurich to join. For soloists interested in performing a recitative or aria, auditions will be held October 8th. The cost to enroll is $45.

Rehearsals Resume on Monday, August 23rd -- "Messiah!"

Mark your calendars now, singers! Rehearsals resume on August 23rd for our Christmas Concerts.

We're going to do something really special this season -- the Christmas portion of Handel's "Messiah." Should be a challenge but a lot of fun.

New voices are always welcome to join our non-auditioned community chorus, so if you love to sing and enjoy the fellowship of other singers, come join us and make wonderful music with us!

Page down through the posts below and see what we've been up to over the years -- and check out the photos in the sidebar to see what we are all about.

We're rehearsing for our April Concert...

...every Monday night, 7:30 to 9:30 pm, at the Alpine Chapel at 23153 W. Miller Road (Miller and Echo Lake Roads) in Lake Zurich, Illinois. (See map in sidebar on the right.)

All are invited to join our non-auditioned chorus!

Silent Monks perform the Hallelujah Chorus

We traditionally invite audience members to join us for the Hallelujah Chorus as we end a concert. Here's another way to present the Hallelujah Chorus!

Rehearsals Resume January 4th, 2010

Rehearsals resume January 4th, 2010, for the Spring Concert to be held at Alpine Church on April 1oth and 11th -- "Life, Love, and Liberty."

Party at the Koldons

Last night was the annual post-concert Christmas party at the Koldon's lovely home. Here are our president, Fred, and tenor Nick and director Nick...



Edie, Helen, and Jim chuckle at Helen's antics...


Pianist Tara poses with Natalie, Karen, and our hostess, Barb...


Annmarie, Patti, Pat, and Juel smile for us...


Glynda, Pat, and Elaine enjoy the heat of the fireplace warming their backs as they eat...



Then following dinner, we adjourned to the living room for conversation and to view the DVD of our performance...

Thanks to the Koldons for opening their home for another Village Singers party!

Christmas Concert 2009

This video presents brief highlights from all 16 songs from our 2009 Christmas Concert...

2009 Christmas Concert Preview

Here's a brief video preview of our upcoming Christmas Concert -- Joy to the World! -- to be held Saturday, December 5th at 7 pm, and Sunday, December 6th 3 pm, at Alpine Church in Lake Zurich...



Come join us this weekend! For more info, go here.

Rehearsing for Christmas...

Rehearsals are progressing well as we prepare for our Christmas Concerts on December 5th and 6th...



A nice mix of prior chorus members and new members are working hard under the fine direction of our new director, Nick Juknelis, and we encourage all of you to mark your calendars for what is certain to be another fine concert by the Village Singers.

Meet Our New Director

We are having a gathering on Saturday, August 22, at Barb Koldon's house to meet our new director, Nick Juknelis. It will be at 6:30 pm so everyone should have supper on their own and refreshments and dessert will be provided. Please plan to be there and learn about the exciting new season we have to look forward to.

Monday night rehearsals will resume on August 31 at 7:30 pm at Alpine Chapel.

Nick Juknelis Announced as Our New Director

Mr. Juknelis received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Music Education from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. While at Augustana, Mr. Juknelis served as assistant to Dr. Jon Hurty, conductor of the Augustana Choir, Chamber Singers and Handel Oratorio Society. Also active as a piano accompanist, Mr. Juknelis served as a rehearsal accompanist at Augustana for such pieces as Verdi’s Requiem and Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms.

Mr. Juknelis obtained the Master of Arts degree in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. He studied choral conducting under Dr. Timothy Stalter, a regularly heard soloist on Robert Shaw recordings, and choral literature with Dr. Richard Bloesch, an editor of the Choral Journal. While in Iowa City, he served as accompanist and rehearsal assistant at Iowa City West High School. He is also an active member of the Illinois Music Educator’s Association, the Music Educator's National Conference and the American Choral Director’s Association.

Mr. Juknelis is in his seventh year as choir director at Lake Zurich High School where he conducts Concert Choir, Women's Chorale, Bare Voices, Cadet Choir and Men’s Choir. He also serves as the assistant musical director and Tri-M Music Honor Society sponsor. He and his wife Amy live in Lake Zurich and are excited to be part of such a supportive community of friends and families!

Welcome to the Village Singers of Lake Zurich, Nick!

Info from School District 95 website)

Village Singers party at Koldon's

It was a bittersweet gathering for the Village Singers of Lake Zurich yesterday -- a combination of joy and pride in another delightful performance for the community, but muted by the sadness marking the end of an era as Jeannine Saltman, our founder and director for a dozen years, has decided to retire from the chorus.


Several dozen singers again enjoyed Barb's warm hospitality at her beautiful home...


...and relished the dinner provided for us...


...and then all viewed the DVD of the concert, laughing and clapping at the appropriate places and reliving the fun and hard work of the 4 month concert season...



Three hours later it was time to bid "adieu" to Jeannine and present her with several gifts...


...and the poignant words of thanks and outpouring of love directed to Jeannine were overwhelming and the ever ebullient and gregarious Jeannine was noticeably moved.

Thanks, Jeannine and Byron -- and enjoy your retirement knowing our prayers and thoughts and love go with you in your travels!

And singers -- keep checking this site to learn who the new director will be and when rehearsals resume in the Fall.

Spring Concert 2009

A large audience attended our Spring Concert, "Something Old, Something New," to hear wonderful music and to honor our founder and director, Jeannine Saltman, who announced her retirement from the group. Her tireless energy, expertise, organizational skill, and passion will be greatly missed. Here she is delivering yet another delightful performance to the audience...



The entire chorus will miss Jeannine's bubbly attitude, upbeat personality, and infectious love of music, and everyone gave their all for her today...



Soloists Jan and Dave, joined by Katie who is signing, lead the chorus in the poignant "In Our Children's Eyes..."



Jeannine joined Earl, Joe, and Carol as "Reminisce" singing the old favorite "Begin the Beguine"...



... and "N Tune," composed of Kathy, Barb K., Barb P., and Juel, entertained us with "I Hope You Dance," dedicated to their 11 children and 5 grandchildren, photos of whom were displayed on the screen behind them as they sang...



Comedy was again provided by Helen, Eva, and Chuck singing "Yellow Submarine"...



Newcomer Greg brought the house down his his lively version of "Up On The Roof"...



Another important cog in the chorus wheel is Jeannine's husband, Byron, whose behind the scenes efforts conribute mightily to our success. He wears many hats for us -- serving as number one roadie, master of ceremonies for the concerts, salesman for program ads, and computer expert -- creating the program, CDs, DVDs, etc. Here he emcees the door prize drawings during the intermission, assisted by Jacob and Sienna...



Thanks, Jeannine and Byron -- you have created, nurtured, and sustained the Village Singers of Lake Zurich for a dozen years. We thank you and love you and wish you well as you pursue your other passions in retirement!

More photos of the concert here.

New Location for Spring Concert

The Spring Concerts will be held on
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 3rd at 1:30 p.m.
at our new location

Alpine Chapel
23153 W. Miller Road (just east of Route 12)
Lake Zurich
for info call 847-726-2011
(click to enlarge map)

Ticket prices:
Adult $8
Senior $5
Children under 12 free

Update: New Concert Season Begins...

... with the first practice on Monday, January 12th, 2009, at 7:30 pm at Lakeview Community Church. Contact Jeannine at (847) 726-2011 for information. We are a non-auditioned chorus and ALL are invited to join us as we make wonderful music, make new friends, party, and laugh a bunch.

Jeannine gives a sneak preview of 3 of the new songs for the Spring concert:

"I'm really excited about the music I have chosen. I'll start with the music from Jersey Boys. It's sentimental and fun with brand new arrangements of several songs from the Broadway show.

"I'm also selecting In Our Children's Eyes. The description on the Alfred Publishing website says: We celebrate a joyful sight: our future shining bright tonight. It’s reflected in our children's eyes. This stirring new inspirational choral was recently premiered at the Macy’s 4th of July televised celebration in New York City, as performed by Anika Noni Rose. Written by Stephen Flaherty, the famed composer of Ragtime, and arranged for choirs by Jay Althouse. Stunning as a finale or joint concert selection.

"They Can't Take That Away from Me is one of the most charming songs from the great era of American popular song. The way you wear your hat, the way you sip your tea ... no, no, they can’t take that away from me. The unhurried swing feel of this arrangement is right on target for the sophisticated Gershwin style. Strong voice writing and supportive piano accompaniment.

"As in the past will add some old favorites to complement the fresh new songs described above."

Party at Barb's

Last night, the Village Singers again gathered at the home of hostess extraordinaire, Barb, to celebrate another successful and well-attended concert series, and have some relaxation and social time after months of Monday evenings of dedicated work.

Below (l to r) Earl, Juel, Terry, Glynda, Pat, Eva, Helen, Gwen, and Marcie pause from watching the DVD of the concert to pose for the camera.


Singers Kathy, Karen, Barb, Jim, and Carol converse around the kitchen table (to stay close to the food perhaps?)


Helen, Ellen, Chuck, and Nick share the couch...


...as Jeannine, Lauryl, and Glynda relish the warmth of both their friends and the fire...


... and Juel, Marcie, Pat, Cory, Jim, Gwen, and Fred view the concert DVD.

Thanks again to our director, Jeannine, for another wonderful concert season, and to Barb for another convivial get-together.

Good morning everyone, I'm listening to the video of Sunday nights show and it was magnificent. It was almost flawless!! I think this may have been our best concert ever. Many of my friends are thinking about joining us in January. Have a great holiday and I'll see you on Jan 5. Love you all, Jeannine

2008 Christmas Concert

The 12th Christmas Concert by the vaunted Village Singers of Lake Zurich again set attendance records with over 350 enjoying the two performances.



Barb and Joe sang the poignant "My Grownup Christmas List.."



... and long-time chorus member Gwen continued her tradition of writing a letter incorporating all 27 song titles...



"Reminisce" is composed of Jeannine and Earl, the director and associate director, and two soloists, Joe and Carol, shown below singing "Perfect Christmas Night."



During the intermission, the singers stayed loose by posing for the camera. Here are the ladies of the chorus...



... and the men...



Kathy, Juel, and the two Barbs, also known as "N' Tune" delighted the audience with "Hold the Light."



The chorus members have a unified goal after each performance -- unwind and socialize! We always patronize Lake Zurich restaurants, with Giordano's as the location after Sunday's concert, and below is the group at Hackney's after Saturday's gig...



Another chorus tradition is gathering at the home of hostess extaordinaire Barb's for a party after all the season's work is done. The get-together is Monday night, after which I'll post photos of the festivities.

Over two dozen additional photos of the concerts are available in my photo gallery here. These photos can be downloaded, and if you have additional photos, you may upload them to the gallery for others to enjoy.