GLEN ELLYN-WHEATON CHORALE

Photo courtesy of LEWEK PHOTOGRAPHY, Downtown Glen Ellyn, IL

Greg Wheatley has conducted the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale since 1997. Greg received his Bachelor's degree in music from Spring Arbor College and holds a Master's degree in music theory from Michigan State University. In addition to directing the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale, Greg is the director of the College Church Singers. He loves helping others understand and enjoy music and has been teaching as Guest Lecturer in Music Theory at Wheaton College for a number of years. He has also taught at Concordia University Chicago and has presented a pre-concert lecture for the Wheaton Artist Series.

Greg is a veteran radio broadcaster, recently completing 22 years with Moody Radio. He is currently the host of Inside Wheaton, a conversational interview program produced by Wheaton College, and can also be heard on Sound of Majesty, a nationally syndicated program of hymns and sacred classics.

Greg and his wife, Jennifer, make their home in Wheaton, Illinois. They have three children and one utterly adorable granddaughter.

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Photo courtesy of LEWEK PHOTOGRAPHY, Downtown Glen Ellyn, IL

Jeri Kellan has been the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale's accompanist since 1993 and has directed the Ensemble since 2006. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Eastern Illinois University. Jeri was the Glenbard East High School music accompanist from 1973 to 1981, and since 1988 has served as Music Director and Organist at Calvary Episcopal Church in Lombard, Illinois. She works full time at Glenbard East High School as an ELL Instructional Assistant. Jeri and her husband, Ross, make their home in Lombard.

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The mission of the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale is to:

1. Develop the musical abilities and awareness of its members.
2. Provide participants and audiences with an enjoyable and creative outlet for their cultural needs.
3. Serve as a reminder to the community of the beauty and universality of music in every sense.

The Chorale was founded in January 1985, with the goal of building a long and respected musical tradition in the community. Today, the Chorale includes 60 members from throughout the western suburbs of Chicago. The group consists of singers from the auditioning novice to professional-level singers performing a wide variety of music, including: jazz, gospel/spirituals, pop, larger works of choral music, sacred, folk, all-time favorites, and show tunes. We provide members the opportunity to strengthen their musical abilities and appreciation. Skills are enhanced through large group and sectional rehearsals. More advanced members have the opportunity to perform in ensembles or as soloists.

The Chorale presents both paid and free outreach concerts throughout the year as a culmination of its members' efforts to enhance the community's appreciation and love for a variety of music. Outreach concerts give special consideration to local retirement and nursing home facilities that may be underserved by other arts programs. Concerts have incorporated other community musical groups, including the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, the Wheaton Municipal Band, jazz and string ensembles, instrumental soloists, and other chorales, such as the internationally renowned Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus.

In addition to its twice-yearly community concerts, the Chorale has performed at Pheasant Run (with Kenny Rogers), the Oakbrook Marriott Hotel, Windsor Park Manor, Wyndemere Retirement Communities, Beacon Hill, Brighton Gardens, Wheaton Autumn Fest, Kane County Cougar baseball games and Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic. Community outreach concerts are performed at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center, DuPage Convalescent Center, Hines VA Hospital, the Glen Ellyn and Wheaton Christmas Walks, and various community festivals and parades.

The Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale was incorporated as an Illinois non-profit in 1994 and is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Photo courtesy of LEWEK PHOTOGRAPHY, Downtown Glen Ellyn, IL

The Chorale is an auditioned community group with a target membership of 60 singers. The group is open to anyone who loves to sing and learn in an enjoyable, non-threatening environment; however, membership does require commitment to weekly rehearsals and two major concerts per year, as well as other special performances at select venues.

Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30–9:30 p.m. The Chorale's season runs from September to June, with seasonal concerts in December and May. Concerts often incorporate other singing groups, jazz and string ensembles, and instrumental soloists. Music is drawn from a variety of seasonal, classical, and ethnic works.

Photo courtesy of LEWEK PHOTOGRAPHY, Downtown Glen Ellyn, IL

The Ensemble is an audition-only group of individuals from the full Chorale who perform at our major concerts as well as smaller venue locations throughout the year. The Ensemble consists of 12 to 16 members in any given year. They rehearse on Tuesday evenings one hour prior to the full Chorale rehearsal time of 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Membership is open to all adults (18 years of age and over) regardless of area of residence. Specifically and explicitly, there shall be no barrier to membership based on age, sex, race, religion, or creed. Members come from a variety of backgrounds and musical experience.

Auditions for the Chorale are held in August for openings in specific voice parts. Auditions are held with the Musical Director, who will conduct a short interview and vocal evaluation and placement.

Auditions for the Ensemble are usually held the second week into the session. The Ensemble Director will conduct the interviews/selections.

Interested in joining us? Watch our website for announcements regarding openings for specific voice parts and audition opportunities.