St. Joseph Church hosts Lake County Youth Recital on May 1

St. Joseph Church continues to be a welcomed presence in the musical life of Libertyville. Under the baton of Ron Vanasdlen, Director of Music at St. Joseph, the current concert season has offered an impressive variety of musical opportunities with its annual favorite Christmas Sing and, most notably, the recent Via Crucis by Franz Liszt which featured blazing performances by Lyric Opera of Chicago bass-baritone David Govertsen and violinist Terese Parisoli. A certain crowning achievement this year, the chorale's engagement brought beauty and professionalism and made a definite statement — a world-class one. The concert series has brought a musical integrity to the canvas of the well-established area church since Vanasdlen's arrival coupled with a remarkably robust weekly music program for weekend Masses. Mastery of musical interpretation and regular professional instrumentalists have confirmed St. Joseph as a leader for musical excellence.

And now, with Vanasdlen's leadership, the church will host the Lake County Youth Recital inviting all high school students in the area to showcase their musical talents performing classical or sacred pieces of their choosing. The deadline for joining the program as a recitalist is April 17 (contact info below).

The series will offer an Easter-themed organ recital by Vanasdlen on April 13 at 12:15 p.m. and ends with the Spring Sing set for June 5 at 7:30 p.m. A sheer and unreserved delight, the 2016-2017 concert season lineup will soon be released as we give a hearty and rightfully earned standing O to a brilliant and inspired year.

The Lake County Youth Recital will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 1 at St. Joseph Church, 121 E. Maple Ave., Libertyville, free admission, www.stjosephmusic.org | www.youtube.com/SingStJoseph

For more information or to interview with Mr. Vanasdlen, contact him at rvanasdlen@stjoseph-libertyville.org or call 847-990-1276 to become a recitalist.

Donna Hughes is an Editorial Lead.