The Northwest Choral Society (“NWCS”), under the direction of artistic director Alan Wellman, will present its next concerts on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Des Plaines, IL and on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 4:00 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church in Mt. Prospect, IL.

You’re invited!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
1095 Thacker St. (between Margaret St. and Jeannette St.)
Des Plaines, IL 60016

7:00pm – 9:00pm

It’s a social gathering to KICK OFF our 2011-2012 season.

Refreshments will be served. Please feel free to bring a friend. See you there!

“Music is our forte”

Gloria!

Featuring the music of Vivaldi, this concert will sing you into the holiday season (December 3 and 4).

Songs and Psalms

Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” will be the centerpiece for this musical exploration of several Psalm settings (March 31).

Shout!

The music of Motown, R & B and classic Rock n’ Roll will make you wanna SHOUT!!! (June 9 and 10).

The concerts, entitled “Americana,” will feature musical selections from prominent American composers.  The repertoire ranges from Bernstein’s “West Side Story” to Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana Suite” and Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” so this concert is sure to have something for everybody.

A complimentary pre-concert lecture and discussion of the music will be hosted by chorus member John Morrison starting 45 minutes prior to each of the concerts.

“Americana” is the last in the series of three concerts the Northwest Choral Society will perform this season.  Founded in 1965, the Northwest Choral Society is a non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the appreciation, understanding and performance of a wide variety of outstanding choral literature.  Its adult membership resides in Chicago and the northwest suburbs.

Tickets for the “Americana” concert are $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and may be obtained online at www.nwchoralsociety.org, by calling224 / 585-9127 or prior to the concert on Saturday at the Edison Park Lutheran Church, 6626 N. Oliphant Ave., Chicago, Il or on Sunday at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 605 W. Golf Road, Mt. Prospect, IL.

As an innovative conductor, Mr. Wellman has been responsible for the founding of one chorus, expanding and enhancing the vision of several community choruses, and collaborating with peers and colleagues for the benefit of music appreciation. He is on the faculty of The Catherine Cook School in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.   Professional experiences include Music Director for the Windy City Performing Arts choruses, Program Coordinator for the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois, Director of Choral Activities for Northside College Preparatory High School in Chicago, Director of Music for First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, and Conductor and Founder of the Chicago Cross-Collegiate Chorale.

In addition, Mr. Wellman has sung professionally as a soloist and ensemble member in operatic and classical music productions by the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, California Philharmonic, Roosevelt University, American Opera Group and DuPage Opera Theatre. He holds professional affiliations with the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA), Chorus America and the Music Educator’s National Convention.

NWCS pianist Lori Lyn Mackie is from Michigan, and now lives in the Chicago area.  She has studied at Interlochen, the Bay View Conservatory, the Blossom Festival School and the Koninklijk vlaams Musiekconservatorium van Antwerpen, Belgium. She holds Bachelor Degrees in Piano Performance and German from Albion College and a Master Degree in Piano Performance/Chamber Music/ Accompanying from Northwestern University.  Ms Mackie was featured in 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2008 as piano soloist with the NWCS chorus and orchestra.  She is currently director of music at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Burbank, IL and is pianist for Anshe Tikvah in Arlington Heights.

The Northwest Choral Society invites experienced singers to audition to join the organization.  Basses, tenors, altos and sopranos with previous choral experience and 17 years of age can obtain additional information about the Northwest Choral Society at www.nwchoralsociety.org.

The concerts, entitled “Americana,” will feature musical selections from prominent American composers.  The repertoire ranges from Bernstein’s “West Side Story” to Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana Suite” and Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” so this concert is sure to have something for everybody.

A complimentary pre-concert lecture and discussion of the music will be hosted by chorus member John Morrison starting 45 minutes prior to each of the concerts.

“Americana” is the last in the series of three concerts the Northwest Choral Society will perform this season.  Founded in 1965, the Northwest Choral Society is a non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the appreciation, understanding and performance of a wide variety of outstanding choral literature.  Its adult membership resides in Chicago and the northwest suburbs.

Tickets for the “Americana” concert are $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and may be obtained online at www.nwchoralsociety.org, by calling224 / 585-9127 or prior to the concert on Saturday at the Edison Park Lutheran Church, 6626 N. Oliphant Ave., Chicago, Il or on Sunday at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 605 W. Golf Road, Mt. Prospect, IL.

As an innovative conductor, Mr. Wellman has been responsible for the founding of one chorus, expanding and enhancing the vision of several community choruses, and collaborating with peers and colleagues for the benefit of music appreciation. He is on the faculty of The Catherine Cook School in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.   Professional experiences include Music Director for the Windy City Performing Arts choruses, Program Coordinator for the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois, Director of Choral Activities for Northside College Preparatory High School in Chicago, Director of Music for First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, and Conductor and Founder of the Chicago Cross-Collegiate Chorale.

In addition, Mr. Wellman has sung professionally as a soloist and ensemble member in operatic and classical music productions by the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, California Philharmonic, Roosevelt University, American Opera Group and DuPage Opera Theatre. He holds professional affiliations with the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA), Chorus America and the Music Educator’s National Convention.

NWCS pianist Lori Lyn Mackie is from Michigan, and now lives in the Chicago area.  She has studied at Interlochen, the Bay View Conservatory, the Blossom Festival School and the Koninklijk vlaams Musiekconservatorium van Antwerpen, Belgium. She holds Bachelor Degrees in Piano Performance and German from Albion College and a Master Degree in Piano Performance/Chamber Music/ Accompanying from Northwestern University.  Ms Mackie was featured in 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2008 as piano soloist with the NWCS chorus and orchestra.  She is currently director of music at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Burbank, IL and is pianist for Anshe Tikvah in Arlington Heights.

The Northwest Choral Society invites experienced singers to audition to join the organization.  Basses, tenors, altos and sopranos with previous choral experience and 17 years of age can obtain additional information about the Northwest Choral Society at www.nwchoralsociety.org.

Caption:   Chorus members Bert Matulis (l) and Ruta Veitmanis (r) support Jamie Thompson during a solo at a previous Northwest Choral Society concert.

Alan Wellman is an accomplished conductor, teacher and singer, and brings a wealth of musical credits and accolades to this position. His background includes a Master of Music in choral conducting from California State University, Los Angeles, California, and Bachelor of Music with honors in Music Education – Vocal/Choral emphasis from Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois.

Alan also holds Language Certification in German from the Inlingua Institute, Munich, Germany.  As a respected teacher, he is passionate about the potential and impact of music on children and adults.

As an innovative conductor, he has been responsible for the founding of one chorus, expanding and enhancing the vision of several community choruses, and collaborating with peers and colleagues for the benefit of music appreciation.

Alan’s professional experience includes the following: Music Director for the Windy City Performing Arts choruses; Program Coordinator for the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois; Director of Choral Activities for Northside College Preparatory High School, Chicago; Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange; and Conductor and Founder of the Chicago Cross-Collegiate Chorale.

Alan has also sung professionally, having performed as a soloist and ensemble member in operatic and classical music productions by the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, California Philharmonic, Roosevelt University, American Opera Group and DuPage Opera Theatre. Alan holds professional affiliations with the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA), Chorus America and the Music Educator’s National Convention.

His specialties are in the preparation and performance of music of the Baroque era and the study of Gregorian chant and chironomy. An ancient technique used prior to written notation, chironomy refers to the use of hand signals to indicate pitch and rhythm.  Mr. Wellman completed advanced studies in chant at the Abbey St. Pierre de Solesmes in France in the summer of 2008 and has been invited back to attend the workshop in July, 2010.

Mr. Wellman is on the faculty of The Catherine Cook School in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.

Concert dates for the 2010-2011 year:
The Christmas Star
Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Southminster Presbyterian Church – Arlington Heights
Sunday, December 5, 2010 at Edison Park Lutheran Church – Chicago

Praise and Triumph
Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Community Presbyterian Church – Mount Prospect

Americana
Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Edison Park Lutheran Church – Chicago
Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Trinity United Methodist Church – Mount Prospect