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Elgin, IL | As a special gift to the community, and a thank you for years of support, Heartland Voices presents “British Invasion,” the final concert of their 11th season, with free admission!

Join the critically acclaimed ensemble on Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Elgin or on Sunday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Saint Marcelline Catholic Church in Schaumburg, as they join forces with members of the Metropolis Chamber Orchestra for an evening featuring the music of English composers John Rutter (1945- ) and George Frederic Handel (1685-1759). A newly commissioned piece by American composer, Eric Whitacre (1970- ), will also be debuted.

“It all started out with wanting to have a celebration of John Rutter’s 65th birthday in 2010,” said Dr. John G. Slawson, the Artistic Director, Principal Conductor, and founder of Heartland Voices.

“I wanted to have a nice cross-section of (Rutter’s) pieces that the audience would really recognize” said Slawson, “and then some very good Rutter works that people probably don’t know,” he said referring to such pieces as Rutter’s lesser known “Ave Maria” and “My True Love Hath My Heart” from his Birthday Madrigals.

The other end of British style will be represented by Handel’s Coronation Anthem No. 4 “Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened” and Chandos Anthem No. 11 “Let God Arise.” The Chandos Anthem, written for the Duke of Chandos in 1718, will feature Beverly Nesbit (soprano), Natalie Hatch (alto), Steve Hommowun (tenor), and George Levar (bass), along with the chorus in Saturday night’s performance. Maria Caselli and Denise Driscoll will be the featured soprano and alto, respectively, during Sunday night’s performance.

“The Whitacre piece is just going to be a kind of a surprise in the middle of the concert,” said Slawson about “little man in a hurry,” based on poetry by ee cummings.

The piece, generously commissioned by a consortium of 23 choruses, of which Heartland Voices is one, is being premiered across the country throughout 2010.

“This is where he feels his life is right now,” Slawson said of Whitacre, whom he recently met, “he is just running everywhere, he is going everywhere. He’s very busy.”

Internationally known and loved, Whitacre, perhaps best known for choral music, also writes for bands and orchestras, writes chamber music, and is presently composing a musical.

Heartland Voices recently received an invitation, their second, to perform in New York City, this time through DCINY – Distinguished Concerts International New York. They have also performed at the Illinois ACDA State Conference, with the Du Page Opera, with the Illinois Chamber Orchestra and with the Metropolis Chamber Orchestra.

Heartland Voices consists of professional and professionally trained singers from the greater Chicago Area. Rehearsals are Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Elgin. Heartland Voices is led by Dr. John G. Slawson, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at Elgin Community College. The choir is accompanied by Dr. Paul Satre, Professor of Music at the School of Music at Trinity International University and principal organist at the Moody Church of Chicago. Dr. Marc Alan Brunelle, Minister of Liturgy and Music at St. Marcelline Catholic Church, is the assistant conductor.

Heartland Voices is a not-for-profit organization. This concert is generously sponsored by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission and Restor Healing Centre. The 2009-2010 season is sponsored in part by the EFS Foundation, the Grand Victoria Foundation, and the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency).

To schedule an audition, call Heartland Voices at 847.429.9486, or visit Heartland Voices’ web site at www.heartlandvoices.org.