St. Charles Singers to perform with high school choirs for Choral Connections concerts

The St. Charles Singers will perform its second annual Choral Connections concerts Feb. 21 and 22 in St. Charles.

The critically acclaimed chamber choir, led by founder and choirmaster Jeffrey Hunt, will share the stage with mixed-voice vocal ensembles from six suburban high schools.

The hourlong concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m. both evenings at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., which is the principal venue of the St. Charles Singers.

The Feb. 21 concert includes the St. Charles Singers and choruses from St. Charles North High School, directed by Michael Molloy; Batavia High School, directed by Peter Barsch; and William Fremd High School, Palatine, directed by Christina Collins.

The roster for Feb. 22 includes the St. Charles Singers and singers from Glenbard North High School, Carol Stream, directed by Laura Johnson; Kaneland High School, Maple Park, directed by Bryan Kunstman; and West Aurora High School, directed by Lydia Walsh-Rock and Brian Smith.

Many of the choral directors are also ensemble members of the St. Charles Singers and will perform in the concerts. These include sopranos Johnson and Walsh-Rock, alto Collins, and tenors Kunstman and Smith.

The student choirs, comprising sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, will number between 25 and 35 singers each.

Each student group will sing two of its own selections. The St. Charles Singers will perform a set of songs from its repertoire. Concerts will conclude with a joint performance by the student choristers and the St. Charles Singers.

“In addition to attracting singers’ family and friends, these concerts will appeal to everyone who enjoys choral music,” Hunt said in a news release. “It’s an opportunity to sample the St. Charles Singers’ artistry through a tasting menu of some of our signature pieces and also hear a new generation of choristers from across the region.”

At both concerts, the St. Charles Singers will offer Charles Villiers Stanford’s lyrical “Beati quorum via” (Blessed are those whose way is blameless) from “Three Latin Motets,” Op. 38; Ēriks Ešenvalds’ meditative, gently ecstatic “O Salutaris Hostia” (O Saving Victim); and James Erb’s arrangement of the tender folk song “Shenandoah.”

The finale of both concerts will feature the combined choirs singing Elaine Hagenberg’s inspirational “Measure Me, Sky!” and Shawn Kirchner’s “I’ll Be on My Way,” a song of reverence and free-wheeling joy.

Hunt said in the release that the project is an opportunity for student singers “to expand their view of the choral music world, make new friendships, build teamwork, and experience all the positive things that happen in music making. Mentoring young singers is an important part of our mission.”

Tickets to Choral Connections are $25 for adults, $12 for students and are available at stcharlessingers.com or by calling 630-513-5272. Tickets are also available at Town House Books, 105 N. Second Ave., St. Charles (checks or cash only at this ticket venue). Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the day of the concert, depending on availability.