The world-renowned Chicago Children’s Choir returns to Bethel United Church of Christ in Elmhurst to perform two “Christmas Celebration” concerts at 3:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.
The exclusive events will be the only Christmas concerts open to the public this year in the Chicago area by the ensemble’s elite Concert Choir. Due to popular demand of last year’s sold-out performance, the Emmy Award-winning choir added an additional concert as part of the 14th season of the Music at Bethel Concert Series.
“Last year’s show was so inspiring, we are thrilled to be able to bring an additional concert to Bethel this year,” says Jeff Panko, minister of music and artistic director of the Music at Bethel Concert Series.
Chicago Children’s Choir is a multiracial, multicultural choral music education organization, shaping the future by making a difference in the lives of children and youth through musical excellence. Chicago Children’s Choir conducts in-school programs for 61 schools serving 2,500 youth, providing interactive arts instruction to schools that have essentially no arts programs. These programs help recruit children to join the eight neighborhood choirs, made up of nearly 600 kids. From the neighborhood choirs, auditions are held to select the best 100 voices for admission into the Concert Choir, which tours nationally and internationally.
“We are so happy to be back as part of the Music at Bethel concert series this holiday season,” says Josephine Lee, president and artistic director for Chicago Children’s Choir. “It is quite inspiring to the children to know that last year’s performance was so well accepted that an additional concert has been requested. It really means so much to this very special group of hard working and talented kids.”
For 14 years, Panko has been producing and performing in classical, jazz and world-music events for the Music at Bethel Concert Series. The intimate setting has played host to some of the world’s most accomplished classical musicians and singers from the region.
Coming concerts
Upcoming performances for the series include Heisenberg Uncertainty Players at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10, and a special piano concert by Jeffrey Panko at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28.
Bethel United Church of Christ is at 315 E. St. Charles Road. Tickets are available online through www.musicatbethel.com or by calling (630) 279-4040. Ticket prices range from $12 to $35.
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