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Elgin, IL –The holiday season is full of family traditions. Perhaps one of yours is attending the Heartland Voices’ HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS concert series.

Bundle up the family and head for one of Heartland Voices’ two candlelight concerts. This year’s program includes Stephen Chatman’s seven “Carols of the Nativity” and a range of other holiday pieces, from the religious “Ave Maria” by Anton Bruckner to a jazzy “Winter Wonderland” arranged by Greg Jasperse. The familiar “Ding! Dong! Merrily on High” includes a piano accompaniment for four hands arranged by Mack Wilberg. Harp, cello, oboe, and organ will be heard in other selections. As is tradition, this year’s program includes an audience sing-along, and ends with the ever-popular “This Christmastide” by Donald Fraser.

You have two opportunities to enjoy the music. Join Heartland Voices on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.at the First United Methodist Church, 216 East Highland Avenue in Elgin, or on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Marcelline Catholic Church, 822 South Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg. Tickets are $15 for adults ($18 at the door), $12 for seniors/groups ($15 at the door) and $8 for students with a valid student ID ($10 at the door).

Would you prefer a matinee? Attend the traditional family concert, which includes the Elgin Children’s Chorus Intermezzo Choir and Clare Woods Academy Children’s Choir, on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Heartland Voices and the guest choirs will perform festive music of the season. Come see the concert at the First United Methodist Church in Elgin. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/groups and $5 for students with a valid student ID and children 12 and under.

The spirit of giving is present at all Heartland Voices’ holiday concerts. This year, the Heartland Voices Annual Holiday Charity Drive will benefit The Larkin Center and the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Any child who brings a new, unwrapped toy or gift suitable for a boy or girl between the ages of 6 and 21 and/or a household or non-perishable food item will gain free admission to any of the concerts. A full list of what items are needed will be available on the Heartland Voices’ website (www.heartlandvoices.org) or by calling Heartland Voices at 847.429.9486.

Heartland Voices is a not-for-profit organization and is a proud partner of Elgin: Home for the Holidays, a collaboration of Elgin-area non-profit organizations. A schedule of their holiday events can be found at www.elginhomefortheholidays.com

The holiday concerts are sponsored by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, the Grand Victoria Foundation, EFS Foundation, and the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency).

Heartland Voices consists of professional and professionally trained singers from the greater Chicago Area. 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 J. 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.

For tickets or to schedule an audition, call the Heartland Voices at 847.429.9486, or visit Heartland Voices’ web site at www.heartlandvoices.org. Tickets are also available at the door.