Venues and Fine Arts opportunities

[Guest guest]

Most of the following ideas are from Gail M.--thanks! I've included

several things of my own at the end. Anyone else have anything to

add or.....how can we make events/venues better so our loved ones

may participate more fully and confortably?

Marie

My choir sings in an accessible venue, although we are in

communication with the venue about posting better signs to show

where the accessible entrance is (it's not obvious).

Most of our concerts are for those with a lot of patience, since we

perform long works (i.e., Messiah, masses, requiems). So for those

with limited ability to sit quietly during concerts, I think we'd

not be a first choice.

However, Neal has been one of our regular ushers.

Here's our web site:

http://www.elmhurstchoralunion.org

Every other year we appear with Elmhurst Symphony at Elmfest, just

outside Hammerschmidt Chapel at Elmhurst College. You won't find

this on the Elmfest web site, but on the Elmhurst Symphony web site

in the weeks leading up to the concert, Father's Day at 6:30 p.m.

http://www.elmhurstsymphony.org/

Other events in the western suburbs that are good choices are

outdoor events such as

Naperville Municipal Band on Thursday evenings in Central Park

Bandshell

http://www.napervilleband.org/

Wheaton Municipal Band on Thursday evenings in Memorial Park

http://www.wheatonmunicipalband.org/

Wheaton Band Festival on 2 evenings in July, also in Memorial Park

http://www.wheatonbandfestival.org/

DuPage County Historical Museum has some hands-on history

activities, of interest to both kids and those of us who like to

touch stuff...and a great model RR layout for the railfans.

Building is accessible, but call ahead to find out how to find the

accessible entrance to this pretty historic building. Great eats

within 2 blocks--Shane's Deli, Quizno's, Starbucks, La Spiazza

coffee shop, Tate's Ice Cream, and a tiny Popcorn ( & candy) Shoppe

on Front Street--just ask museum staff and they'll give you

directions.

http://www.co.dupage.il.us/museum/

does attend the chamber choir concerts I direct--the Midwest

Motet Society--and occassionally will usher. Since he also attends

many of our rehearsals, he does enjoy it but it's not for everyone,

even NTs! midwestmotet.org

My community's summer band concerts. One of my NT son's plays in it

(and will tonight). We've brought since Greg began playing

in it--1997--and he has a great time. Am not sure if we're going

tonight--it's the last one for the summer.

Community band kicks off 45th season

H-F PARK DISTRICT Summer concert series continues tonight

June 26, 2008

Recommend

By Ginger Brashinger, correspondent

Little girls twirling in summer dresses, folks lying on blankets

with a good book and dogs in colorful T-shirts created a " good ol'

summertime " atmosphere at last week's Homewood-Flossmoor Park

District Community Band concert.

Now in its 45th season, the concert series continues tonight, July 3

and July 17 at 8 p.m. at Irwin Park, Ridge Road and Highland Avenue

in Homewood.

Conducting from the band shell, Bob is in his second season as

director and has recently completed his second year as director of

bands at H-F High School.

" When I was hired two years ago, " said, " Bob Hindsley was

filling in as concert director that summer. I had the opportunity to

direct the last band concert, and I really enjoyed it. I've been

very enthused to work with the band these last two years. "

Hindsley, who began playing with the band in 1964 and became

director from 1966 through 1992, continues to participate as part of

a family effort with wife, Jane, whenever they are in town.

" I think band members still come to see friends they went to school

with, " Hindsley said. " And the audience thinks it's a good old fun

thing to do - sitting outside on a summer night listening to music. "

Hindsley recalled featuring audience participation activities during

concerts in years past, including " hymn of the week, " sing-alongs

and guest conductors from the audience.

" Bob () has a neat idea of themes for the concerts, which is a

new innovation for us. "

Each concert this season features a specific theme reflected in the

musical selections. Last week's theme, " Night and Day, " included the

popular show tune, " Oh What a Beautiful Morning " by Rodgers and

Hammerstein, " Morning, Noon, and Night in Vienna Overture " by Franz

von Suppe, and " Night and Day " by Cole Porter, ensuring something

for everyone.

" Regulars " like Judi Polo-Sinclair and husband, Ron Sinclair, have

been attending the concerts for more than 30 years. Polo-Sinclair,

who moved to Homewood in 1972, fondly remembers the early years when

attending with a friend and her three small children.

" It was the best deal with three little kids, " Polo-Sinclair

said. " Bring something to eat, put a blanket down, and enjoy the

concert. It's one of the little jewels of the community. "

Ron Sinclair brought his four children from the time they were very

young, all four of whom went on to play in the community band over

the years.

" My son Greg was so enthralled by the percussion instruments that we

would always go to that section before the concert, " Sinclair

said. " He went on to become a high school band director. In fact,

all of the kids came back and played in the band throughout their

college years. "

finds that the 50 to 60 participants blend a wonderful

combination of many different musicians.

" I encourage my own H-F students to participate, " said , " but

we have students from other schools, as well, who are interested in

keeping their skills honed. We're always open to new members. We

have more and more alumni, community members, and high school

students joining us all the time. I'm very excited to mix all these

generations. They're doing a very good job. "

People interested in joining the community band may phone (708) 957-

0300 for more information.