PARK RIDGE, IL, April 25, 2011 – The Northwest Choral Society, under the direction of conductor Alan Wellman, will present its June concerts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Edison Park Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL and at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 5 at Trinity United Methodist Church , Mt. Prospect, IL.
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.