The Skokie Concert Choir is alive and well !

What’s that? You didn’t even know there was a Skokie Concert Choir? Well, there is! In fact, we’ve been around for 36 years! Founded in October 1986 as the Skokie Community Chorus, we have shared a love of music with the local community by offering two concerts a year as well as performing at the Niles Township Clergy Forum Thanksgiving Interfaith Service and Skokie’s Festival of Cultures.

The Skokie Concert Choir provides an opportunity for its members to learn a wide variety of music and perform in various settings. Our performances in concerts and for special occasions are designed to promote artistic and educational growth for both the choir and the broader community. We are a non-audition choir – all are welcome, including men and women of all ages and backgrounds. No prior musical background is necessary. We perform music from a wide variety of genres – from classical to jazz to show tunes to folk songs, and a little bit of everything in between. In 2015, the Skokie Concert Choir was chosen to receive the Skokie Award for Artistic Excellence from the Village of Skokie Fine Arts Commission.

As with all groups, the Skokie Concert Choir was forced to put a hold on in-person rehearsals in March 2020, but we forged ahead by holding virtual Zoom rehearsals for 18 months. We came back together in February 2022 with a hybrid rehearsal structure allowing in-person singing but with a Zoom option for those who were not yet comfortable singing in-person. Our first live performance was at the 2022 Festival of Cultures in May. What a joy it was to be able to sing in front of an audience again!

Beginning in September, the choir will be under the direction of Mr. Ben Gray. Gray brings with him a stellar background which includes serving as the conductor of the Northbrook (IL) Community Choir and the director of the Northern Trust Bank Holiday Choir. In addition, he has taught vocal music to middle school students in Lake Forest and Gurnee for the past 20 years. Gray has prepared choruses to perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and has taken vocal groups on tours both domestically and internationally. His philosophy is if there has been no laughter during a rehearsal, it was not a good rehearsal! We are very excited to welcome Ben Gray to our choir and look forward to the energy he brings.

Needless to say, though, our membership has dwindled during the pandemic so we are inviting anyone interested in joining us in song to come to our first rehearsal on Monday, September 12 and check us out. We rehearse on Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 at the Devonshire Cultural Center, 4400 Greenwood in Skokie. You don’t have to be a Skokie resident to join; we have members from surrounding communities, including Chicago. You are welcome to attend three rehearsals to try us out before paying dues. All singers must show proof of Covid vaccination, including booster, and out of an abundance of caution, for the time being, everyone will be required to wear an N95 or KN95 mask during rehearsal.

Studies have shown that the mental health benefits of choral singing include enhanced brain function, strengthened feelings of togetherness, and the release of endorphins and oxytocin, resulting in reduced stress and depression. Plus, it’s fun! It would seem that this is the perfect antidote during these crazy times, so why not come join us!

More information, including dues structure and links to our concert videos on YouTube can be found on our website: www.skokiechoir.org.