Chorale concerts honor America, accompanist Marilyn Bourgeois

 

South Holland Master Chorale will honor America’s independence and the Chorale’s longtime musical accompanist in a pair of October concerts.

The free Sunday concerts, “Celebrate, Reflect and Dream,” will be presented Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. at Thorn Creek Reformed Church, 1875 E. 170th Street, South Holland, and Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Parish, 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood.

The 60-member Chorale, directed by Philip J. Bauman with piano accompanist Marilyn Bourgeois, will perform a variety of sacred and secular songs by Dan Forrest, Elaine Hagenberg, Kyle Pederson, Jake Runestad, Moses Hogan, local composer/conductor David Brunner and others. Several songs on the program are part of the Chorale’s observance of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Marilyn Bourgeois has announced her retirement in June 2027 as musical accompanist for the Chorale, a role she has filled for the Chorale and its preceding organizations dating back to South Suburban College in the 1980s. A reception sponsored by the village of South Holland following the Oct. 4 concert will allow audience members the opportunity to visit with Ms. Bourgeois.

“We are presenting a concert exploring the many ways music helps us honor our heritage, consider our shared responsibilities, dream and imagine a hopeful future,” explains Philip Bauman. “The program is organized around three themes: songs that celebrate, songs of reflection, and songs of dreams. Patriotic selections, spirituals and a wide variety of musical styles await the audience.”

Admission to the concerts is free, with offerings accepted afterward. For more information, visit www.southhollandmasterchorale.org.