Lake Bluff Resident to Direct Classical Concert

When Patrick Godon was a young boy, he always knew he would be involved in music. The Lake Bluff resident will be directing a classical concert on March 2nd and March 3rd titled Masterpieces. Tickets to see this talented director are still available.

"I knew from a young age that music would be my life" Godon said. " I guess music chose me. I was always intrigued by the piano music my older sisters would bring home and I remember thinking that I wanted to play the music they were playing. My parents encouraged me by supporting me with piano lessons. All three of my sisters, both my brothers, and I all took piano lessons, but I was the only one to make a career out of it" he added.

Godon will be directing the Tower Chorale. According to the groups website, Patrick Godon made his debut as soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) in May 2007, playing one of the solo piano parts, along with Mary Sauer, in Colin McPhee’s Tabuh-Tabuhan: Toccata for Orchestra and Two Pianos, with Alan Gilbert conducting. Since 2016 Patrick has performed the Principal Keyboardist duties regularly with the CSO on piano, celesta, organ, and synthesizer. He made his debut with the CSO as second keyboardist at Ravinia in 2003.

"I was the youngest music director at my high school for the musicals, the youngest in the pit orchestra at various community theaters, the youngest music director at a church, as a high schooler I was taking college music classes, etc. This has allowed me to feel young for most of my adult life" said Godon.

Godon's experience has brought him to worldwide platforms. In 2015 he began performing regularly as organist with the CSO. He has played under leading conductors including Alsop, Barenboim, Boulez, Colnot, Conlon, Davis, Dutoit, Eschenbach, Haitink, Maazel, Muti, Nagano, Robertson, Salonen, Slatkin, and Tilson Thomas. He has served as rehearsal pianist for Daniel Barenboim and Deborah Voigt for Schoenberg’s Erwartung.

"My mentor throughout college was Mary Sauer, the Principal Keyboardist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra" explains Godon. " She took me under her wing and gave me the tools to fly. She had me playing with her as second keyboardist in the CSO from 2003-2016, when she retired from the CSO. Since then, I've been performing the Principal Keyboardist duties regularly with the CSO. This is my dream job. I feel as though I'm now flying higher than ever, performing all over the world."

This weekend Godon will be directing at

Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 203 S. Kensington Road in La Grange. For our Classical concert, they will be performing Dvořák & Pä. Godon talks about what people can look forward to.

"I'm really looking forward to bringing four professional soloists together with the Tower Chorale and Dennis Zimmer, our amazing organist and accompanist" said Godon. " The Dvorak Mass in D is a gorgeous work that will leave you wanting to hear it again. However, we'll begin the program with a short piece by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt titled, "Salve Regina." This piece is hauntingly beautiful and sounds in spots like musical breathing.

Tickets can be ordered online at www.towerchorale.org

All tickets ordered online will be available at "Will Call" on the day of the performance.

Tickets will also be at the door $23 for adults $20 for seniors
Online ticket sales will stop at 10:00 AM on the day of the performance.
If you have any questions, please either call 708.580.0997 or send an e-mail to info@towerchorale.org.

"Our world is in need of uplifting inspirational experiences." said Godon. " If you come to these Masterpieces concerts this weekend, I guarantee you'll be transported to another plane of existence, a much more peaceful and beautiful one. If you attend this concert, your mind may be set free from the hustle and bustle just enough to allow you to dream a better world".