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NSCS in the News

Publicity

Media coverage of NSCS events and activities.

2012 Donald Chen Young Artist Award Winners Chosen!

After a lengthy deliberation by the panel of judges, the winners of this year's Donald Chen Young Artist Award were announced:

First Place: Rebecca Robinson, mezzo soprano

Second Place: Gillian Hollis, soprano

Third Place: Sara Litchfield, mezzo soprano

The Donald Chen Young Artist Award, established in 2008, supports and promotes young, emerging singers. A competition, open to aspiring singers ages 19-26 who reside in the Chicago area, was held on Saturday, March 31^st, 2012. Nine finalists were selected from submitted applications, and competed in a live audition before a panel of judges. The audition took place at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1024 Lake Avenue in Wilmette and was open to the public.

The audience was treated to fabulous concert, as all of the contestants were excellent. Thanks to everyone who attended!

Rebecca Robinson, Donald Chen, Gillian Hollis, and Sara Litchfield Click here to look at Saturday's program booklet and read about the finalists!

NSCS Gala Photos

We had a wonderful 75th Anniversary Gala and Soireé on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the Unitarian Church of Evanston! In addition to our retrospective concert, the evening featured a silent auction, raffle, and champagne reception. Corey Grigg, the first Donald Chen Young Artist Award winner, was the baritone soloists at the concert, which featured the world premiere of Pleasure Tunes My Tongue by Anne Heider, commissioned by former NSCS president David Hunt for our 75th Anniversary Season. We also sang excerpts from two pieces commissioned for our 50th Anniversary Season: "The Cosmos" from The Geometry of Music by Donald Draganski and "Epilogue" from A Reason for Singing by Dan Tucker. Don Draganski and the family of Dan Tucker attended the gala, as well as our former Music Director Donald Chen.

A good time was had by all!

Bottom row: Chris & Bill Erenberg, Sanna & Mars Longden; 2nd Row: David & Judy Taylor, Marie & Karl Kroeger, Steve Warner & Anne Heider; 3rd Row: Jonathan & Emily Rivera, Betsy & Bruce Gladfelter, Mei & Doug Aden
Bottom row: Jean Thompson, Myra Sieck, Sharon Rich Peterson; 2nd Row: Anthony Green, Susan Demaree, Inge Kistler, Julie McDowell; Top: Judy Taylor, David Taylor, Jo Anne Gerules, Marj Lundy, Dan Woodard
(from left) Marcia Maus Bollo, Program Chair; Ellen Pullin, Desktop Publisher; Mary Ann Kissock, Program Ads Chair
Inge Kistler, who has been singing since 1969, and Mande Mischler, who joined in December 2010
(from left) John Darrow, Debbie and Donald Chen
Former long-time members Don and Martha Farley
(from left) Paul Siegal, Lynn Walsh, Dan Lezotte
Member Dan Lezotte and his son
Member Antje Draganski, Donald Draganski, and Margaret Tucker
General Manager Karen Rigotti, Composer and Tenor Anne Heider, and Publicity Chair Lenore Dupuis
The NSCS singers take their places on the risers
Accompanist Sharon Rich Peterson, soloist Corey Grigg, and Music Director Julia Davids, and members of the Choral Society acknowledge the audience before the music begins
Music Director Julia Davids leads the Choral Society members
The NSCS singers are ready for a cue from Music Director Julia Davids
Baritone soloist Corey Grigg: "Libera me!"
The NSCS joins soloist Corey Grigg in singing "Libera me"
The chorus sings "He, watching over Israel" from Elijah
The audience acknowledges the chorus, Music Director, and Accompanist
The NSCS thanks Composer Donald Draganski for his piece The Geometry of Music
Katie Gladych, NSCS soprano, Nicholas Krupp, NSCS tenor, and Corey Grigg, baritone sing like angels while the rest of the NSCS waits for their entrance in "The heavens are telling"
The sopranos and basses sing during "The heavens are telling"
The tenors and altos sing during "The heavens are telling"
Most of the NSCS bass section (and a couple second sopranos!)
Some of the NSCS alto section (and a few tenors!)
The audience acknowledges accompanist Sharon Rich Peterson, soprano Katie Gladych, tenor Nicholas Krupp, and baritone Corey Grigg
Accompanist, soloists, and the soprano section are all pleased at the end of the first half of the concert
2nd soprano Claudette Rasmussen (center) with her guests
Audience and singers mingle during the break
Audience and singers check out the auction during the break
Alto Julie Brueck and her husband check out the concert program booklet during the break
Last chance to bid for both singers and audience members
Former Music Director Donald Chen and Pioneer Press columnist Dorothy Andries discuss the concert
NSCS Alto Antje Draganski and husband Donald stop and smell the flowers
Pioneer Press columnist Dorothy Andries and NSCS Alto Alicia Resnick (not singing in this concert) both wore red
Members of composer Dan Tucker's family came to hear his music
NSCS bass David Hunt, who commissioned "Pleasure Tunes My Tongue," and NSCS tenor Anne Heider, the composer, look forward to the second half of the concert, which began with the world premiere of Anne's piece
Emily Jacobson Rivera (alto) and husband Jonathan Rivera (tenor) who met at NSCS
Accompanist Sharon Rich Peterson, soloist Corey Grigg, and Music Director Julia Davids, come back onstage after intermission
Sharon Rich Peterson at the piano
Julia Davids interjects "Fun Facts" about the NSCS and its members
Music Director Julia Davids pulls the winning ticket while VP of Fundraising John Darrow holds the hatbox
Jim Picard is glad that he came to the concert and bought that ticket!
Anne Heider accepts flowers and acknowledges applause after the world premiere of Pleasure Tunes My Tongue
The NSCS Tenors and Basses perform the Randall Thompson classic
Most of the NSCS tenor section (and a few altos!)
Some of the NSCS alto section (and a few tenors!)
Most of the NSCS second soprano section (and some basses!)
Julia Davids uses body language to show the singers what she wants
Former Music Director Donald Chen talks about his 24 year tenure with NSCS
Former Music Director Donald Chen thanks the audience for their support of the NSCS and the arts
Baritone Corey Grigg hams it up with a classic from Copland's Old American Songs
NSCS alto Barbara Dershin (center) presented the flowers to Dan Tucker's widow Margaret, and her daughter
An ovation from the audience and acknowledgment of Dan Tucker's family

all photos by Robert J. Dowey

NSCS's 2010 Young Artist Competition Winners Announced

From the eight finalists for North Shore Choral Society's (NSCS) Inaugural Dr. Donald Chen Young Artist Award Competition held in April 2010, three performers were selected and were presented their prizes by Dr. Donald Chen.

North Shore Choral Society

P.O. Box 103, Evanston, Illinois 60204-0103

North Shore Choral Society

P.O. Box 103, Evanston, Illinois 60204-0103

NSCS in the News

Publicity

2012 Donald Chen Young Artist Award Winners Chosen!

NSCS Gala Photos

NSCS's 2010 Young Artist Competition Winners Announced

The North Shore Choral Society is supported in part
by grants from the Evanston Arts Council and
the Illinois Arts Council, an agency of the State of Illinois

North Shore Choral Society P.O. Box 103, Evanston, Illinois 60204-0103

North Shore Choral Society

P.O. Box 103, Evanston, Illinois 60204-0103

NSCS in the News

Publicity

2012 Donald Chen Young Artist Award Winners Chosen!

NSCS Gala Photos

NSCS's 2010 Young Artist Competition Winners Announced

The North Shore Choral Society is supported in partby grants from the Evanston Arts Council andthe Illinois Arts Council, an agency of the State of Illinois

North Shore Choral Society

P.O. Box 103, Evanston, Illinois 60204-0103

The North Shore Choral Society is supported in part
by grants from the Evanston Arts Council and
the Illinois Arts Council, an agency of the State of Illinois