Elgin, IL – Familiar sounds announce the arrival of the holiday season - the ring of Salvation Army bells inviting donations, a little girl’s voice explaining that every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings, snow falling on a still winter night, and, of course, the rich choral music of Heartland Voices’ HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS concert series.

Start your holiday season with one of Heartland Voices’ candlelight concerts. The program mixes traditional carols such as “I Wonder as I Wander,” “Ding! Dong! Merrily on High,” and “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” with other classical, religious, and humorous holiday pieces. As is tradition, the program includes an audience sing-along, and ends with the ever-popular “This Christmastide” by Donald Fraser.

Enjoy the experience in the circular sanctuary of St. Marcelline Catholic Church in Schaumburg on December 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. or at the Heartland Voices’ home venue, the First United Methodist Church in Elgin on December 13, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Nothing evokes the holiday spirit more than the voices of children. The family concert on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. includes the talents of the Elgin Children’s Chorus Intermezzo Choir and the Clare Woods Academy Choir. Heartland Voices and the children’s choirs will perform festive music for the season and celebrate diversity and fellowship with a special finale uniting all three ensembles. Come see the concert at the First United Methodist Church in Elgin.

This year’s Heartland Voices’ Annual Holiday Charity Drive will benefit the Community Crisis Center of Elgin. Children who bring personal care products, coloring books, or drawing supplies for the children of the Crisis Center will be admitted to any one of the three concerts free of charge.

Point your sleigh to St. Marcelline Catholic Church located at 822 South Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg, and The First United Methodist Church located at 216 East Highland Avenue in Elgin, Illinois.

Heartland Voices is a not-for-profit organization. It is proud to have the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission as a sponsor for the matinee performance of their Holiday Concert. The 2008-2009 season is sponsored in part through grants from the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, the Grand Victoria 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 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.

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