St. John Brebeuf Music Ministry kicks off for 2019-2020

As it kicks off its seventh season, the Niles Metropolitan Chorus, a community choir with members from all faiths and walks of life, welcomes new members to join this dynamic group. The theme for the 2019-2010 season is A Year of Brain Health.

Marek Rachelski, artistic director and conductor of the ensemble, has issued an open invitation to people in the community to become members of this dynamic group and “sing with us for all of the benefits,” he said. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. John Brebeuf Church, 8307 N. Harlem Avenue, Niles. For more information, contact Rachelski at 702-806-8421 or email newmu@hotmail.com.

Sponsored in part by Relevant Radio and Bugle Newspapers, the 2019-20 series begins Sunday, Nov. 10, at 3:30 p.m. with A Mind Opening. The first concert features Mass No. 2 in e minor by Anton Bruckner, Missa Popularis by Marten Jansson, and Benedictus by Karl Jenkins.

The series continues Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. with A Holiday Mental Smoothie. This program includes the seventh annual D-I-Y Handel’s Messiah and A Little Jazz Mass by Bob Chilcott featuring the Laudate Children’s Choir.

The third NMC concert is Sunday, March 29, at 3:30 p.m. with A Brain Illumination. This program features In the Company of Heaven by Benjamin Britten, Hymn to the Creator of Light by John Rutter, and Luminous Night of the Soul by Ola Gjello.

The Musica Lumina Orchestra will celebrate Beethoven’s 250th with an exploration of his music and the works of his contemporaries on Sunday, April 26, at 3:30 p.m.

All concerts have free-will donations. For information, call 847-966-8145 or visit www.sjbrebeuf.org or www.nilesmetropolitanchorus.com.