Posts Tagged ‘music’

The Monday Night Concert Series continues with The Fleurs de Chanson Recorder Trio at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

Rose Mattax of Forest Park, Alice Muciek of Oak Park, and Ann Masur of Oak Park are three women who together make The Fleurs de Chanson Recorder Trio.

The recorder is a member of the flute family. Its melodic tunes have fluttered as far back as the 14th century. The recorder is recognized by its simple but proficient framework. It is composed of a whistle mouthpiece, seven finger holes on the front of the instrument, and a thumbhole on the back side. Although often made of plastic (for children), the instrument is typically made of wood and even, in medieval days, ivory.

Mattax fell in love with the recorder after her husband had given her a gift certificate for lessons nearly a decade ago. Then nine years later she teamed up with Muciek and Masur to form the trio.

This performance for The Fleurs de Chanson Recorder Trio has personal sentiments. Rose’s mother, Roberta Pullman, is a resident at Oak Park Arms retirement community.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call Heather Lindstrom at 708-386-4040.

The Monday Night Concert Series continues with the Jeremy Kahn Trio at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. Musicians Eric Hochberg and Eric Schneider will be performing as well.

Kahn will perform some of the best songs of the 20th century. Referred to by Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich as “a rare and gifted pianist,” Kahn has played in jazz venues around the world and in pit orchestras for theatrical events such as “Wicked.” In addition, he has performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Joni Mitchell, Phil Woods, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Aretha Franklin.

After over a decade living in New York, this Chicago native now lives in Oak Park.

Hockberg is a bassist who has worked on a variety of projects across the realms of jazz, folk, rock and blues for more than 30 years in club and concert venues around the Chicago area. He has performed and recorded with musicians such as Pharoah Sanders, Bobby McFerrin, Pat Metheny, Barbra Streisand, Diane Reeves & Willie Pickens, The Grant Park Symphony, The Joffrey Ballet and Chicago Tap Theater.

In addition, he has played on more than 1,000 jingle, television and movie soundtrack recording sessions and has participated in more than 100 album projects.

Schneider has had an extensive and successful career as a saxophonist and clarinetist participating in concerts, festivals and studio work. After graduation from the University of Illinois, Schneider recorded and toured extensively with Earl Fatha’ Hines for four years and Count Basie and his Orchestra for another two years.

Most recently Schneider performed in the Ravinia 2013 lineup playing clarinet with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra in the Tribute to Benny Goodman, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of Goodman’s Ravinia debut.

Schneider is in high demand by small groups and big bands alike. When not performing, he enjoys golf and skiing.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

The Oak Park Arms Chorus will feature a Summer Stock Choral Festival performance at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, at the Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

The chorus first formed more than three years ago under the direction of Desi Vasquez, also the social director at the Oak Park Arms. Because members had such different levels of experience, the group began with choral selections only. They soon transitioned into solos, duets and trios, which helped strengthen their skills and confidence.

For the Aug. 19 show, they have reverted back to their roots and will perform only choral selections.

A combination of pieces has been selected ranging from light rock to blues, show tunes and traditional jazz standards like Duke Ellington’s “Satin Doll.” More contemporary pieces like “I Can See Clearly Now” will also be performed, as well as an original composition, “I Forgot.”

“Everyone has so much fun at our performances, and we’re always excited to add new members,” Vasquez said. “Our group has a vast array of experience levels, so everyone fits right in.”

While most members are residents of the Arms, there are a few community members as well. Currently members include: Howard McClain, Charles Costello, Doc Doolin, Henry Turkowski, Marian Menges, Susan Lewy, Mary Deady, Faunti Wilcoxen, Nancy Elsmo, Rose Mary Cellini, Marie Munoz and Dolores Newell.

Visitors are welcome to attend weekly rehearsals at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesdays.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

The public is invited to a performance of Bruckner’s “Symphony #1” with Oak Park Arms resident Alfred Schoepko at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

Anton Bruckner, Sept. 4, 1824 – Oct. 11, 1896, was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses and motets. His work played part in the definition of contemporary musical radicalism, owing to their dissonances, unprepared modulations and roving harmonies.

Unlike many musical radicals, Bruckner was extremely modest, showing humility before other musicians. Among his works, his symphonies in particular drew many critics commenting on their large size, use of repetition, number of revisions (often with assistance from colleagues) and indecision about what version he preferred. However, he was also greatly admired by subsequent composers, and has even been described as “half simpleton, half God.”

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

The Monday Night Concert Series continues with pianist Jeremy Kahn at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

Kahn will perform some of the best songs of the 20th century. Referred to by Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich as “a rare and gifted pianist,” Kahn has played in jazz venues around the world and in pit orchestras for theatrical events such as “Wicked.” In addition, he has performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Joni Mitchell, Phil Woods, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Aretha Franklin.

After over a decade living in New York, this Chicago native now lives in Oak Park.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

The Monday Night Concert Series continues with The Jeremy Kahn Trio, featuring Eric Schneider at 7 p.m. Monday, July 15, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

Kahn and his group will perform some of the best songs of the 20th century. Referred to by Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich as “a rare and gifted pianist,” Kahn has played in jazz venues around the world and pit orchestras for theatrical events such as “Wicked.” He has also performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Joni Mitchell, Phil Woods, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Aretha Franklin.

After over a decade living in New York, this Chicago native now lives in Oak Park with his family.

Eric Schneider has had an extensive and successful career as a saxophonist and clarinetist participating in concerts, festivals and studio work. After graduation from the University of Illinois, Schneider recorded and toured extensively with Earl Fatha’ Hines for four years and Count Basie and his Orchestra for another two years.

Most recently Schneider performed in the Ravinia 2013 lineup playing clarinet with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra in the Tribute to Benny Goodman, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of Goodman’s Ravinia debut.

Schneider is in high demand by small groups and big bands alike. When not performing, he enjoys golf and skiing.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

A recital will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. Students from the Language and Music School of Oak Park will perform for residents and the public at the Arms.

The Language and Music School was founded by Maria Fermi and Martha Yelenosky. What began privately in a teacher’s apartment in 1990 with just six students learning a combination of Spanish, piano, violin, guitar and recorder lessons is now an establishment with 25 teachers and hundreds of students. The school provides students (from age four to adults) with a unique environment in which nearly a dozen languages and dozens of instruments are taught daily.

Fermi is a music professor from the Conservatorio de Musica Julian Aguirre with studies in Music Therapy and ongoing studies in child development and developmental disorders such as Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, ADHD and Bipolar Disorder.

Yelenosky is on staff at the Northwestern University School of Music and has been president of the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (C.A.M.T.A.) Jazz Festivals of Chicago since 1997.

Private 30-minute classes are offered, once a week. Languages taught include Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and English as a second language. Instruments taught include wind, brass, guitar, piano, percussion, strings, voice and music composition. In addition, group immersion Spanish classes are available for children and pre-school, after-school, kindergarten and summer camps available for kids age two to nine.

Yelenosky and Fermi have also co-authored LMS First Steps in Spanish™ (CDs and materials for teaching Spanish through music-based activities).

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

The Monday Night Concert Series continues with “Bobby Schiff’s Tribute to Bill Evans,” at 7 p.m. Monday, June 24 at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

William John Evans, known as Bill Evans (Aug. 16, 1929–Sept. 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, “singing” melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists. He is considered by some to be the most influential post-World War II jazz pianist.

Schiff is a composer, arranger, conductor, pianist and producer. On the Chicago and Los Angeles music scenes for more 45 years, he has led orchestras and bands, performed on piano and keyboards, directed, composed and arranged for and with the best – Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Johnny Hartman, Frank D’Rone, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara McNair, The Arbors and Bobby Rydell.

In 2001, he played Wayne Newton’s overseas Thanksgiving USO tour, accompanying Ruth Pointer. Locally, he performs with Ron Hawking and the show “His Way” and is the pianist and arranger for Claudia Hommel’s “Faure Jazz Project.”

Schiff has been playing piano and keyboards professionally since he was in high school. His classical training in piano performance and composition began at age five. As a youngster, he worked several years at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, honing his skills in the music production and publishing business.

His award winning commercial music business served such clients as Kimberly-Clark, Sesame Street, McDonald’s, John Deere, Sears, Kraft and Hallmark.

A true music professional, Schiff served for many years as a national trustee and national vice-president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (The Grammy’s). He served as vice president of the Association of Professional Orchestra Leaders. He also maintains his memberships in ASCAP and ASMA.

On a day to day basis, Schiff is working primarily in Chicago as a vocal arranger and accompanist. Playing, arranging and producing albums for numerous independent artists, he also performs with his own jazz trio at several Chicago venues.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

It’s Senior Prom time. Every year sees event venues filled with high school seniors dressed to the nines and enjoying this most special event. Well, it’s not all high school seniors…

A different group of seniors will be the “cat’s meow” at the 34th annual Seniors’ Senior Prom titled, “Cotton Club,” from 7 – 10 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Oak Park Arms Retirement Community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. The public is warmly welcome to attend and dance the night away.

The Dick Elliot Band will provide the music, standards from the Big Band era -  music that will touch lives, refresh spirits and perhaps most important – rekindle  memories.

In addition, the Legacy Girls will perform their Andrew Sisters act. Appetizers will be served before the prom, and a special dessert is being planned. In addition, there will be exciting drawings for prizes.

At 8 p.m. the Oak Park Arms scholarship will be presented to student Anjelica Hannicke. She has been volunteering at the Timbers for several years and will attend the University of Illinois in the fall.

“It’s always a thrill to present the scholarship,” said Jill Wagner, director of marketing for Oak Park Arms. “Hannicke is simply terrific and she has a bright future. We are very happy to be in a position to help.”

A highlight of the prom is the crowning of the 2013 king and queen who are elected by the residents. A special dance will take place featuring all the kings and queens, past and present.

“Our prom is quite an event,” Wagner said, “The room will be decorated with a roaring twenties theme, and the residents and families have a wonderful time.”

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The prom is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.

The Monday Night Concert Series continues its summer jazz festival with composer Rick Shandling at 7 p.m. Monday, June 3, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. He will be performing original jazz compositions.

Rick Shandling’s Jazz Coalition is a music group that performs the full spectrum of contemporary acoustic-based jazz in special arrangements of jazz standards and original compositions by Shandling who features an unusual lineup of French horn, trumpet, sax, vibraphone, bass and drums.

Shandling, a drummer and composer, is regularly featured in the Chicago area jazz circuit and has presented his own original music and arrangements in multiple concerts. Also, he has participated in educational school programs focusing on progressive jazz forms.

In fact, Shandling and his jazz group – the Jazz Coalition – have received grants for educational performances from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council and the Lake County Arts Council, in addition to a variety of suburban cultural arts commissions.

Shandling is a professional piano technician, tuning and repairing pianos in homes, libraries, studios and concert venues. In addition, he is a drum set teacher for beginning, intermediate and professional-level students.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.