PARK RIDGE, IL, The Northwest Choral Society (NWCS) returned early Monday morning, July 14, from a four-day road trip to Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN. Twenty-three members of the chorus, conductor Alan Wellman and pianist Lori Lyn Mackie traveled by luxury motor coach, gave multiple performances and toured major sites in the Twin Cities.
The group sang in the lobby of the beautiful Guthrie Theatre prior to the evening’s production of My Fair Lady, which the group also enjoyed. Other concerts included the Hennepin County Government Center in its lovely ten-story atrium at noon last Friday, where the group sang hits from Broadway and Motown, and an outdoor concert at Mears Park that evening, where Rejoice in the Lamb by Britten and Rejoice and Sing Out His Praises were sung. At the Lyngblomsten Care Center, NWCS featured Everybody Rejoice from The Wiz and How Can I Keep from Singing? by Gwyneth Walker.
NWCS attended the evening mass at the magnificent Cathedral of St. Paul on Sunday and sang the prelude and during the mass, featuring What God Ordains composed by Minnesota resident Josh Bauder.
Tours of the backstage areas of the Guthrie Theatre and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts were enjoyed. Other highlights of the trip included a visit to the Gangster Tour of St. Paul to learn about the legends of the gangsters with the corrupt police force in the 1930’s and the Cave Tour, with its ghostly lore of the unique sandstone caves. There also was a paddle boat cruise down the Mississippi River, in high flood stage. And, of course, a visit to the Mall of America.
A good time was had by all and the group is looking forward to rehearsals of the full chorus beginning on September 2 for its 2014-15 concert schedule. 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.
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.
Caption:
Members of the Northwest Choral Society prepare to board the motor coach for tour of Minneapolis – St. Paul: (left to right) Jordan Becker, Des Plaines; Ruta Veitmanis, Mt. Prospect; Angela Carlson, Arlington Heights; Alberta Matulis, Chicago; Youngham (Brian) Lee, Hoffman Estates; John Schindler, Des Plaines; Greykell Dutton, Park Ridge; Kelsey Green, Chicago; Robyn Waldman Borek, Elk Grove Village; conductor Alan Wellman, Chicago; Joan Behrens, Elgin; Mary Jane Matecki, Mt. Prospect; Jean Merzon, Buffalo Grove; Noreen La Valle, Franklin Park; Jennifer Bauer, Park Ridge; Sue Schennum, Cary; John Morrison, Elgin; Marjorie Crichton, Northbrook; pianist Lori Lynn Hewelt, Burbank; Penny Perles, Mt. Prospect; Joan Curry, Arlington Heights; David Hitch, Des Plaines.