December 11 and 12, 2009 -
REJOICE! A Holiday Celebration with Strings

Our traditional festival of seasonal music was accompanied by the ALLEGRO!!! string ensemble from the Western Springs Suzuki School. The young musicians enchanted the audience with their musicmanship. Small chamber groups and virtuoso organ solos added luster. The house was nearly full in spite of snowy weather. Attendees and performers went home well-pleased.

May 9, 2009 - Night at the Prom We relived the kind of music which likely was played at your prom. The performance was at one of the newest venues in the western suburbs -- appreciated by both audience and performers. The two High School vocal winners were outstanding in their parts, both solo and blended in the chorale.

High School Vocal Contest winner Stephanie Jordan's solo.

Special Note
Based upon the excellent performance on March 2, 2008 (two Requiem pieces), Tower Chorale was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. A group of the singers went to New York to do a concert on Memorial Day 2009. Combined with singers from elsewhere, the group performed John Rutter's new composition, The Magnificat, conducted by the composer.

March 8, 2009 - Your Majesty!  
Handel's Coronation Anthems and Poulenc's Stabat Mater. Handel's four anthems include the famous Zadok the Priest, which has been sung at every British coronation for over 280 years. The text of Stabat Mater is the traditional lament of Christ's mother at the crucifixion; the music was composed in 1951 at the height of Poulenc's great career. Audience favorite Sarah Gartshore, soprano, thrilled the audience with her solos in STABAT MATER. A full orchestra added depth.

December 6 & 7, 2008 - Holiday Magic
Attendance for this ever-popular seasonal concert in the series practically filled Union Church for both Saturday and Sunday performances, despite adverse weather of snow, ice and cold wind. The chorale scored high marks from those who hear them regularly. Lively presentations by the Highland Middle School Show Choir were crowd-pleasers on their own and also blended well with the adult chorale.

Highland Middle School's Show Choir

April 26, 2008 - Let's Go to the Movies
This production was very well-received. Notable music from several eras sent listeners home humming a tune from the scores. Songs included Hooray for Hollywood, Let's Go to the Movies (from Annie) and others from The Wizard of Oz, Shrek 2, Sweeney Todd, Disney, and the Muppets movies.

March 2, 2008 - Sounds of Paradise  - Requiems composed 118 years apart.  The first by Gabriel Fauré was written in 1888. The second, written in 2006 is by K.  Lee Scott.  "Both were superb!" Composer Scott  was in attendance and was presented to the audience. He was heard to say that the choir, soloists and instrumentals were excellent to the point that "I got goose bumps." Other comments overheard: "Best concert ever..."; "Moved me to tears." ; "The Scott Requiem was phenomenal." Both baritone Anderson and soprano Gartshore gave soaring performances. The audience responded with a standing ovation.

December 8 & 9, 2007 - "Heaven and Nature Sing"  

April 28, 2007 - "As Time Goes By"  

This production, a kaleidoscope of popular music from each decade of the last century, was a big hit....acclaimed by some of our regular and faithful attendees as "our best ever".  The enthusiastic audience nearly filled the Reber Center.  Featured comedic skits, including a sextet doing excerpts from Dreamgirls, added spice.  The instrumental combo also added flavor.

Trio performing "Dreamgirls" numbers in As Time Goes By.

March 4, 2007 - "King David"  
An oratorio by Honneger plus the Poulenc instrumental Suite Francais were enthusiastically received by the audience. WFMT Radio's Carl Grapentine's narration of the Old Testament story throughout the oratorio added depth and lustre to the presentation. 

December 2 & 3, 2006 - Holiday Concert 

Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 42nd Street - This production,  a kaleidoscope of Broadway music of several decades...some which were still playing on the Great White Way, featured a colorful local chorus line to round out the program. The evening was a back-slapping smash hit.  Many in the audience, unaware that the end had come, waited for more. The Reber Center in LaGrange proved to be a fine venue. 

Other previous appearances:
2006 - Elijah
2005 - Handel's Saul, The Envelope Please!
2004 - Grant Us Peace, Songs from the Melting Pot
2002 - Chorus with Salt Creek Sinfonietta, Sacred Masterworks
Various times – Guest chorus with other musical groups
Annually – Western Springs Memorial Day Parade.
Decembers – Caroling for merchants of Western Springs and Holiday Concert

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