Buffalo Grove Composer to Showcase Newest Work

Buffalo Grove resident and composer Matthew Prins’ latest musical work, “Illumina,” will be performed for the first time Oct. 23 at First Congregational Church in Glen Ellyn, where Prins serves as handbell director.

“Illumina,” which will be performed by handbells, choir, harp and cello, was commissioned by First Congregational Church as part of the church’s year-long 150th anniversary celebration. Prins based the piece on the church’s theme for the anniversary, “Lighting the Way.”

Prins, 34, has more than 60 musical compositions and arrangements that have been published or accepted for publication, including four published collections of works. His pieces have been performed at many festivals, including the International Handbell Symposium and Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar.

His original work, “Pax,” was winner of the 2011 Feb Fest Composition Contest and premiered by 550 ringers in Houston earlier this year. Prins’ 12-movement opus for handbells, handchimes, string orchestra and piano, “The London Underground,” was published this summer by From the Top Music.