Welcome!

Our Mission

The Skokie Concert Choir promotes the enjoyment of choral singing for its members and the community.  Our purpose is to provide choral music training through vocal experience for members and thus to enrich the cultural life of the community.

The Skokie Community Chorus was founded in October 1986.  Over the years, the Chorus has grown substantially and now has well over 40 members, including men and women of all ages and backgrounds.  Several years ago, the name was changed to the Skokie Concert Choir. 

The Skokie Concert Choir provides an opportunity for its members to learn a wide variety of music and perform in various settings.  Performances in concerts and for special occasions are designed to promote artistic and educational growth for both the choir and the broader community.

“Shirley’s Dream”

Shirley Sadur had a dream to assemble a community singing group.  Shirley enlisted Sam Margolis, a former crooner, to follow this dream and make it happen.  These original founders assembled a small group of residents from Skokie and the surrounding suburbs that enjoyed singing and wanted to share their love of music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choir Performances

The Skokie Concert Choir performs two concerts each year – the “Winter Concert” at the end of January and the “Spring Concert” in mid-June. In addition, we traditionally participate in the Niles Township Clergy Forum Thanksgiving Eve service held at different area churches and synagogues each year.

We also perform valuable community service, such as singing at local retirement residences and nursing homes to provide music for seniors who find it difficult or impossible to attend concerts.

We performed at Skokie’s Festival of Cultures in 2009 and 2010. We hope to add this to our annual performance calendar as well!

 

Choir Rehearsals

We rehearse weekly on Monday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 at Old Orchard Jr. High School, 9310 Kenton in Skokie.  Occasionally we have extra rehearsal dates or will rehearse at other locations; such changes are announced to the choir in advance.

Interested singers may “visit” a rehearsal to get a feel for our group.  You may also sing with the choir for three “trial” rehearsals before committing to becoming a member.

Directions to Rehearsals

Plan your trip driving

Use the Google map provided below to get driving directions.

 

Our Director

Our new Artistic Director, Candice Crane, brings a variety of musical experience to the Skokie Concert Choir. Currently, she conducts the Oak & Grovers, a senior citizen choir in Evanston. Other former conducting positions include Director of the Chancel Choir and Crosswalk at First United Methodist Church of Palatine, Chancel Choir Director and Children’s Choir Director at Northbrook United Methodist Church, as well as Vocal Music Director at Adrian High School in her home state of Michigan.

Ms. Crane is well known at both Niles West and Niles North high schools in Skokie, having been a private voice teacher in the district for nearly 20 years. She has taught choirs at both high schools, brought in internationally recognized opera singers to give master classes, prepared a number of her voice students for District 7 IMEA auditions, and was chosen by Niles North’s Theatre Director, Timothy Ortmann to be the Vocal Director for the All-State production of A Chorus Line. In addition to conducting and private voice teaching, Ms. Crane was a member of the Lyric Opera Chorus of Chicago with Chorus Master Donald Palumbo, and sang with the Chicago Symphony Chorus under Margaret Hillis. She has held the position of soprano section leader at both First Congregational Church of Evanston and First Presbyterian Church of Evanston. Ms. Crane received her B.M. in Vocal Music Education from University of Michigan and her M.M. and Certificate in Voice Performance from Northwestern University.

A resident of Skokie for ten years, Ms. Crane has two children and is married to Conductor David Crane. The Cranes adores their pug dog, Jake, and consider him a member of the family. She loves sports, reading, attending sporting activities involving her children, gardening, and spending time outside.

 

Our Accompanist

For the past three years we have been fortunate to have the very talented Adrian Metzger as our accompanist.

A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, Adrian began studying piano at age four. He is currently on scholarship at Northeastern Illinois University studying under Inna Faliks. He has also studied under Mary Sauer, the principal pianist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Adrian is active as a recitalist, accompanist, and church and chamber pianist. He is considered a gifted and promising musician and performs several concerts a year at Northeastern Illinois University. In addition, Adrian has been the music director of community musicals, and has accompanied for a variety of recitals and competitions.

Adrian is the First Place Winner of the Union League Civic & Arts Foundation, 2009 classical piano competition

As a freelance pianist he can be seen playing in many venues in the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

 

Our Singers

The Skokie Concert Choir welcomes all vocal parts:  Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass.

We do not hold formal auditions, but prior singing experience is a plus.  A vocal range demonstration may be necessary to place you in the correct section.

Our members come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds ranging from semi-professional to individuals who haven’t sung since high school to individuals whose only experience consists of serenading the shower curtain!  To some members reading music is second nature; others have very little ability to read.  In other words, if you love to sing, you’ll be a welcome addition to our group!

There is a smaller chamber choir, whose members are selected by audition.  This group performs more challenging pieces and rehearses from 9:00 – 9:30 following the full-group rehearsal each Monday night. 

Choir members are also given the opportunity to perform a solo of their choosing or to form small ensembles to perform at each concert.  Soloists and ensembles are selected by an audition committee and are expected to provide their own accompanist and practice on their own.

For the past two summers, the Skokie Concert Choir has set up a table at the Skokie Farmer’s Market to introduce ourselves to the community and to recruit members. 

Dues

Membership dues are $60 for the entire 2009-2010 season.  The fee goes toward paying for music, conductor’s fee, accompanist’s fee, rent, liability insurance, concert and other expenses.  There is an additional fee of $25 for individuals participating in the chamber choir.

Members are also obligated to purchase four tickets (at a reduced rate of $8) per concert.