Forest Park is blessed with an abundance of magnificent music these days. If you were lucky enough to get to Saint John last Sunday afternoon, you heard world renowned organist, Paul Carr of Birmingham, England play. Mr. Carr performed on Saint John’s Aolian Skinner organ, a worthy instrument for a worthy performer. A parishioner from Saint Edmund’s in Oak Park was especially interested in the church building because German architect, Henry Schlacks, designed both Saint Edmund’s and Saint John. He was known for his excellent work in acoustics. Thanks to Mel Block, another worthy musician, for the correct spelling of “Aeolian.”
Two pretty smiling ladies pictured here are, as if you didn’t know, Donna Gawlas and her beautiful daughter, Tricia. Donna and her husband Karl are pleased to announce the engagement of daughter Tricia to Graene Quinn, law student at University of Notre Dame. No date has been set for the wedding.
The Oak Park Concert Chorale will present Cry Out and Shout on Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division Street in River Forest. This concert will feature gems from the German Baroque, Russian romantic and American 20th century choral traditions. Local composers’ works will also be included on the program. The Saint John Choristers of Forest Park will join in the singing along with tenor Willard Thomen. Tickets are $18, general admission; seniors/students $10; children kindergarten age and younger are free.
And last but certainly not least we have the Michael Teolis Singers “Look What Else They Wrote” music by familiar composers who wrote in some unexpected styles. Some of the composers whose names are universally recognized are Aaron Copeland, lyrics of Ira Gershwin, Dave Brubek, John Philip Sousa, Beethoven, Schumann, and George Shearing. Quite a diverse group, wouldn’t you say? Remember Peter Schickele, aka PDQ Bach ? His work “Concerto for Piano and Chorus: The Twelve Months” will be performed featuring pianist Justin Kolb. Local participating in the concert are Nancy Greco, Louise Brueggemann, Eric Johnson and accompanist David Richards This concert will be held at First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Avenue. Tickets for this concert are also $18 for genral admission; $12 , seniors /students. Cash only. For reservations or more information 708.366.2889 or email info@MTSingers.com.
Trinity High School announced its honor students this week, and so many talented Forest Park girls are on the list. Congrats to hard-working Regan and Delaney Doolin, Alexandra Haywoth, Katherine Hazen, Rebecca Krirchner, Jamie Quirk, Natalie Maltby, Brea Williams, Madeline Witt, Nora Coty, Emily and Sara Doyle, Angeline Leonard and Brittany Loose-Hosty.
Sad news: Zeno Jacquette suffered a massive stroke recently and is resting at Oak Park Hospital. Best wishes for a quick recovery.
End of April and first of May birthdays are Angie Ventrella, Tom Hawkins, Veronica Marischler, Larry Geraci, Emily Fjelstad, Karen Hawkins, Kate Schultz, Alexandra Zaverelas, Marie Gianelli, Mary Jane Grimes, Yolanda Nigro, Beth Apilado, Bill Dwyer, Sarah Ann Booth, Shirell Mollo. Happy anniversary to Brandi and Rob Mintz and Debbie and Bill Schaubel
Jackie is a former Chicago and Elmwood Park schoolteacher with an undying love for music, friendly pets and a host of life’s other treasures too numerous to list. She was born on the far southwest side of Chicago in a great neighborhood when it was a great time to be young.
