St. Michael Catholic Church

The St. Charles Singers will conclude its 41st season with a program of sacred a cappella works that the critically acclaimed mixed-voice chamber choir will perform later in the month on its first concert tour in Italy.

Founder and music director Jeffrey Hunt and the St. Charles Singers will travel to Italy June 15 for a tour that will see them singing in sacred spaces in Venice, Padova, Vicenza, and Rome, including Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Basilica.
“Audiences will hear a program of historical and geographical depth and great emotional variety,” Hunt says. “There are moments of quiet contemplation, grandeur, and jubilation. It’s a testament to how sacred music continues to speak to us across the centuries and national borders and through diverse cultures and styles.”

American music
American composers, many with Midwest connections, figure prominently in the program.
The concert’s centerpiece is Aaron Copland’s rarely heard “In the Beginning,” a dramatic depiction of the creation story from the Book of Genesis. “It demands 17 minutes of virtuosic, unaccompanied singing,” Hunt says. Ensemble member Margaret Fox, mezzo-soprano, will be the soloist. This will mark the St. Charles Singers’ first performances of the work.
Grammy-nominated Jake Runestad, a Rockford, Illinois, native now living in Minnesota, based his uplifting “I Will Lift Mine Eyes,” on Psalm 121. The score offers distinctive contrasts between intimate and extroverted moments.
“Give Me Jesus” is American composer, conductor, and educator L. L Fleming’s best-known work. “His arrangement of this deeply moving spiritual is remarkable for its quiet intensity,” Hunt says. 
Alabama-born William Dawson’s “Ezekial Saw De Wheel” is an arrangement of an African-American spiritual. It’s noted for its compelling call-and-response character and exhilarating momentum.
From Westmont, Illinois, comes revered choral musician Robert Boyd’s warm and lyrical arrangement of “How Can I Keep from Singing,” an American Christian hymn from the 1860s later popularized as a folk song. Hunt says Boyd’s version “fosters a sense of spiritual resilience and shared optimism.”
Southern California-based composer Shawn Kirchner's bright “Unclouded Day” combines traditional bluegrass vocal stylings with counterpoint and fugue, building to a thrilling finale.
English entries
England is represented by late-Romantic composer Charles Villiers Stanford and Sir John Rutter, who has written for and conducted the St. Charles Singers on multiple occasions.
Stanford’s lyrical "Beati quorum via" (Blessed are those whose way is blameless) from his “Three Latin Motets,” Op. 38, projects the noble melodies, elegant interplay of voices, and polished harmonies he’s known for.
Rutter’s “Open Thou Mine Eyes” is his original setting of a 17th-century sacred text, with intricate vocal lines.
“We’re immensely proud of and grateful for our long and close association with John Rutter,” Hunt says. “His music and his musicianship are a core part of our identity as a choir.”
Italian inspirations 
The program offers works by two early Italian composers.
Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina’s “Tu es Petrus” (You are Peter), with its radiant interplay of voices and serene grandeur, is a signature work of the Italian Renaissance. Palestrina’s music was greatly admired by J. S. Bach, who closely studied his scores.
Claudio Monteverdi straddled the formal, disciplined Renaissance approach to composition and the emerging, more emotionally exuberant Baroque style. His poignant “Adoramus Te” (We adore Thee) is a vivid miniature masterwork. 
More Continental composers
A graduate of the Paris Conservatoire, Maurice Duruflé blends medieval Gregorian chant with 20th-century French Impressionist harmonies in his 1960 motet “Ubi Caritas” (Where There Is Charity).
Germany’s Felix Mendelssohn wrote his popular Romantic-era motet “Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen” (For He Shall Give His Angels Charge) for eight-part choir using verses from Psalm 91. He later made it part of his famous oratorio, “Elijah.”
East Asian artistry
Contemporary South Korean composer Hyo-won Woo’s “Cum Sancto Spiritu” (With the Holy Spirit) is a movement from her "Gloria.” She combines Western musical ideas with the traditional Korean musical scale and rhythmic patterns. “It’s an impressively dynamic setting of a well-known Latin text,” Hunt says. 
Tickets and information
Admission to “Sacred Spaces” is $50 for adults, $45 seniors, and $12 students.
Tickets and information are available at <a href="https://stcharlessingers.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">stcharlessingers.com</a> or by calling 630-513-5272. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the day of the concert, depending on availability.

Local Event: St. Charles Singers — 'Sacred Spaces'

DuPage County

Wheaton

Illinois

St. Charles Singers — 'Sacred Spaces'

The St. Charles Singers will conclude its 41st season with a program of sacred a cappella works that the critically acclaimed...

Baker Memorial United Methodist Church

The St. Charles Singers will conclude its 41st
season with a program of sacred a cappella works that the critically acclaimed mixed-voice chamber choir will perform later in the month on its first concert tour in Italy.
Founder and music director Jeffrey Hunt and the St. Charles Singers will travel to Italy June 15 for a tour that will see them singing in sacred spaces in Venice, Padova, Vicenza, and Rome, including Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Basilica.
“Audiences will hear a program of historical and geographical depth and great emotional variety,” Hunt says. “There are moments of quiet contemplation, grandeur, and jubilation. It’s a testament to how sacred music continues to speak to us across the centuries and national borders and through diverse cultures and styles.”
American music
American composers, many with Midwest connections, figure prominently in the program.
The concert’s centerpiece is Aaron Copland’s rarely heard “In the Beginning,” a dramatic depiction of the creation story from the Book of Genesis. “It demands 17 minutes of virtuosic, unaccompanied singing,” Hunt says. Ensemble member Margaret Fox, mezzo-soprano, will be the soloist. This will mark the St. Charles Singers’ first performances of the work.
Grammy-nominated Jake Runestad, a Rockford, Illinois, native now living in Minnesota, based his uplifting “I Will Lift Mine Eyes,” on Psalm 121. The score offers distinctive contrasts between intimate and extroverted moments.
“Give Me Jesus” is American composer, conductor, and educator L. L Fleming’s best-known work. “His arrangement of this deeply moving spiritual is remarkable for its quiet intensity,” Hunt says. 
Alabama-born William Dawson’s “Ezekial Saw De Wheel” is an arrangement of an African-American spiritual. It’s noted for its compelling call-and-response character and exhilarating momentum.
From Westmont, Illinois, comes revered choral musician Robert Boyd’s warm and lyrical arrangement of “How Can I Keep from Singing,” an American Christian hymn from the 1860s later popularized as a folk song. Hunt says Boyd’s version “fosters a sense of spiritual resilience and shared optimism.”
Southern California-based composer Shawn Kirchner's bright “Unclouded Day” combines traditional bluegrass vocal stylings with counterpoint and fugue, building to a thrilling finale.
English entries
England is represented by late-Romantic composer Charles Villiers Stanford and Sir John Rutter, who has written for and conducted the St. Charles Singers on multiple occasions.
Stanford’s lyrical "Beati quorum via" (Blessed are those whose way is blameless) from his “Three Latin Motets,” Op. 38, projects the noble melodies, elegant interplay of voices, and polished harmonies he’s known for.
Rutter’s “Open Thou Mine Eyes” is his original setting of a 17th-century sacred text, with intricate vocal lines.
“We’re immensely proud of and grateful for our long and close association with John Rutter,” Hunt says. “His music and his musicianship are a core part of our identity as a choir.”
Italian inspirations 
The program offers works by two early Italian composers.
Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina’s “Tu es Petrus” (You are Peter), with its radiant interplay of voices and serene grandeur, is a signature work of the Italian Renaissance. Palestrina’s music was greatly admired by J. S. Bach, who closely studied his scores.
Claudio Monteverdi straddled the formal, disciplined Renaissance approach to composition and the emerging, more emotionally exuberant Baroque style. His poignant “Adoramus Te” (We adore Thee) is a vivid miniature masterwork. 
More Continental composers
A graduate of the Paris Conservatoire, Maurice Duruflé blends medieval Gregorian chant with 20th-century French Impressionist harmonies in his 1960 motet “Ubi Caritas” (Where There Is Charity).
Germany’s Felix Mendelssohn wrote his popular Romantic-era motet “Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen” (For He Shall Give His Angels Charge) for eight-part choir using verses from Psalm 91. He later made it part of his famous oratorio, “Elijah.”
East Asian artistry
Contemporary South Korean composer Hyo-won Woo’s “Cum Sancto Spiritu” (With the Holy Spirit) is a movement from her "Gloria.” She combines Western musical ideas with the traditional Korean musical scale and rhythmic patterns. “It’s an impressively dynamic setting of a well-known Latin text,” Hunt says. 
Tickets and information
Admission to “Sacred Spaces” is $50 for adults, $45 seniors, and $12 students.
Tickets and information are available at <a href="https://stcharlessingers.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">stcharlessingers.com</a> or by calling 630-513-5272. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the day of the concert, depending on availability.

Kane County

St. Charles

The St. Charles Singers will conclude its 41st
season with a program of sacred a cappella works that the critically acclaimed...

Nat Silverman

Amie Schaenzer

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Emily Rosca

Geneva

Batavia

Elgin

Aurora

Lisa Marie Farver

Montgomery

Glen Ellyn

Naperville

Lisle

Kendall County

Oswego

DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds

Kick off the summer antiques show season on Saturday, June 6, 2026, 9 - 3, at the 4th Annual Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds Antiques Show in Wheaton, Illinois. Dealers from 7 states will gather under one roof to present the best of Americana. This show was held for many decades at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. The DuPage Event Center &amp; Fairgrounds is now their 'forever' home. Free parking. Good food and plenty of comfortable seating. ATM. Admission of $10 benefits historical preservation projects. Under 15 free.

Free parking.Good food &amp; plenty of comfortable seating. ATM. Admission of $10 benefits historical preservation projects. Under 15 free. 

Produced by:Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association

Local Event: Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds Antiques Show

Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds Antiques Show

Kick off the summer antiques show season on Saturday, June 6, 2026, 9 - 3, at the 4th Annual Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds...

Peck Farm Park

Come to Peck Farm to enjoy an evening of cocktails, live music, food and the chance to explore the Butterfly House in the off-hours!
Lepidoptera &amp; Libations - a special event for ages 21+ - will be held from 5-7pm Saturday, June 27 at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road. Cost is $35 per person (NR $40).
Registered participants will be able to redeem&nbsp;two specialty cocktails from an on-site bar cart. Food&nbsp;will be available to purchase onsite. Food will not be&nbsp;included in purchase of event ticket. Live music will also be provided.
Cocktails: Provided by Pollyanna Brewing Company
Music: Provided by Dennis O'Brien
Food Vendor: Fernando's Street Kitchen
If you haven't experienced the beauty of Peck Farm during a summer evening, we encourage you to attend! The Butterfly House provides a magical experience just for guests of this event.
Spaces are limited! Register today!

Local Event: Lepidoptera & Libations at Peck Farm Park

Lepidoptera & Libations at Peck Farm Park

Come to Peck Farm to enjoy an evening of cocktails, live music, food and the chance to explore the Butterfly House in the...

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Posting Activity

St. Charles Singers — 'Sacred Spaces'

JUN

11

7:30 PM

St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S Wheaton Ave, Wheaton, IL

St. Charles Singers — 'Sacred Spaces'

JUN

12

7:30 PM

Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave, St. Charles, IL

Fox Valley at the Fairgrounds Antiques Show

Lepidoptera & Libations at Peck Farm Park