Our ensemble's mission is to bring together volunteer and professional musicians to perform quality music in varied neighborhood settings at an affordable price; to provide the audience with an educational component at each performance bringing the music to a level that is accessible, stimulating and, most of all, fun; to foster community outreach by offering scholarships, significant discounts and special pricing for those in need.
Bach and Beyond - Music for the Community, is a local concert series founded in 2001 for the Lincoln Square neighborhood and surrounding communities. This unique series brings together professionally trained musicians and amateur contributors from local parishes, community music organizations, and even people who have never previously sung for performance of a diverse collection of music dating back to the 17th century. In our five to six seasonal concerts you can expect to hear everything from Bach and Handel to Mozart and Beethoven. This uplifting music is for everyone - young and old alike.
Talent has been show-cased at Saint Matthias, Transfiguration of our Lord, Queen of Angels, Saint Josaphat parish and Wilmette Lutheran Church. Look for more local venues at future concerts - all close enough to make the cost of admission worthwhile. Bach and Beyond - Music for the Community is sure to transform the way you and your family view classical music. In 2005 Bach and Beyond began collaborations with the Northwest Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Dank Haus German American Cultural Center. New concert venues for 2006 and 2007 included St. Patrick's Performing Arts Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Wilmette Lutheran Church and the Dank Haus German American Cultural Center.
Audience members continue to enjoy discounted prices for advance ticket purchases, seniors, youths, and large groups. School groups are admitted to the concerts free of charge with advance notice and all performance locations are handicap accessible - most with parking available for free. Join a growing number of music lovers and take part in a Cultural Renaissance, right in your own backyard.
We look forward to seeing you at upcoming concerts! Purchase your tickets or donate online right now by following the links located on this homepage. Bach and Beyond - Music for the Community is an Illinois 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Your continued generosity is greatly appreciated and enables us to continue our mission and outreach activities.
St. Matthias Parish
Saint Matthias was founded in 1887 in a neighborhood known as Bowmanville. This was a community made up of Swedes who had settled to the north of a mostly German area in Chicago. Saint Matthias is the large Romanesque Style church without interior pillars in the Archdiocese of Chicago. When the church was built in 1915, the Rhenish-helm Bell Tower Roof was the first of its kind built anywhere in the world for 600 years. This church, built on a foundation not only of rock, but also of love and dedication, has lasted this parish for many years. Bach and Beyond is proud to contribute to these memories by filling the church with song! To learn more about St. Matthias Parish, visit their website at www.stmatthiastransfiguration.com.
FEATURED EVENTS
Opera Arias/Favorites Friday, June 19th 7:00pm (Wilmette Lutheran) with Reception to follow Featuring a dazzling array of singers from around Chicago performing an evening of opera favorites - with a wine and cheese reception following the performance. Featuring the voices of Sandra Cross-Soprano, Nancy Pifer-Soprano, Rebecca Berger-Soprano and Cynthia Hill-Alto, Scott Will-Piano
Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.
A Midsummer Night's Dream by Felix Mendelssohn
Music, Narration of Shakespeare's Masterwork and Visual Art from Europe and the American Continent Sunday, July 12th 3:00pm (DANK Haus) 5th FL with Dinner Reception to follow An afternoon of orchestral delights that feature excerpts from Mendelssohn's famous incidental music to Shakepeare's play and stunning visual art from Europe and America. Narration by Dan Rodden and Barbara Zahora, visual art of contemporary masters. Join us to see the Marunde Ballroom adorned with art and filled with words and music of the German master Mendelssohn. Musical Direction by Scott Will and Artistic Direction by Cyd Smillie and Susan Barton.
"Allerheiligentag" Spooky Classics Concert at the DANK Requiem Mass in D Minor K.626 W.A. Mozart
Excerpts from Symphonie Fantastique of Hector Berlioz
Sunday, November 1st 3:00pm (DANK) 5th FL with Dinner Reception to follow Mozart Requiem K. 626 for full chorus and orchestra under the Artistic Direction of Scott Will
Dank Haus Annual Winter Concert Featuring
The Julliard Trio Sunday, December 20th 3:00pm (Dank) 5th FL Works to be performed TBD
Host of the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Concert Series