Special Olympics Athlete to Conduct National Anthem at Benefit Concert

Special Olympics Illinois athlete Dan James has been competing in Far West Suburban/Area 2 for more than 20 years. But sports are not the only thing he excels in – Dan also finds passion in music.

Although he never involved himself musically in school, at a very young age his mother, Judy, says he would stand in front of the TV and conduct. “His favorite holiday was the 4th of July,” Judy explains. “He liked to wait until the fireworks and the ‘1812 Overture’ (started) – one of his favorite conducting pieces, as he used to call it!”

This year, he will conduct the National Anthem to open the 6th Annual You Raise Me Up Concert that benefits Special Olympics Illinois on April 11 at College Church in Wheaton.

Area 2 Director Amy Kaylor says Dan has been at every concert. “The second year, we mentioned to the Chorale leaders that Dan has practiced conducting for years at home and they asked him to direct the Chorale’s ensemble group in the National Anthem to open the You Raise Me Up Concert.”

This special addition to the concert has been a staple ever since. Dan has made friends with the members and attends their concerts regularly. He especially enjoys Beyond Glee concerts (a choir that will also be performing at this year’s You Raise Me Up Concert) as well as the Glen Ellyn Wheaton Chorale.

“We try never to miss a concert and we always have to sit in the front row,” Judy says. “If either choir happens to sing one of his favorite tunes, he sometimes conducts from his seat!”

Dan, who won a gold medal at the District A Aquatics Meet earlier this spring, credits conducting as good practice for his freestyle stroke.

This year’s concert will feature the talents of The STARS of College Church, ‘Til Sunset, Tyisha Brown and Beyond Glee. These sweet sounds will be interspersed with personal experiences from local Special Olympics athletes. Tickets are $10 each (5 for $40) and are available here.

100 percent of ticket revenue will benefit Special Olympics Illinois Far West Suburban/Area 2 serving athletes like Dan with intellectual disabilities in the suburbs in west Dupage, Kane and Kendall counties.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 21,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.