Heartland Voices to perform in Elgin, Schaumburg

The Heartland Voices' annual holiday concerts are filled with choices.

Daytime or evening show? Elgin or Schaumburg? Singalong or just listen?

No matter what, audiences will be treated to the sounds of holiday favorites.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, “Home is Where the Heart is” will be performed as a family concert at 3 p.m. The candlelight event will follow at 7:30 p.m. Both shows will be at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin.

If you miss this Saturday's candlelight event, no worries. An identical performance is set for 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at St. Marcelline Catholic Church, 822 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. The songs will remain the same.

“I chose songs that are singalongs for the audience,” said Director John Slawson.

Heartland Voices is a 32-member not-for-profit choral music group made up of semiprofessional and professionally trained signers from the Fox Valley area. The group, with members ranging in age from 18 to 60, practices at the First United Methodist Church in Elgin every Tuesday. Singers have been rehearsing this program for some time, Slawson said.

“I like to pick songs that are more sacred and familiar,” Slawson said. “I try to make it as much about Christmas and keep it festive as I can.”

Giving back to the community is a part of the group's values. This year's annual holiday charity drive will benefit the Community Crisis Center of Elgin and St. Vincent de Paul Society in Schaumburg.

Special guests include Elgin Children's Chorus' Intermezzo Choir, which has been performing with the Heartland Voices for 13 years; and the St. Marcelline Sanctuary Choir that will perform at the candlelight events.

“On staff, the group still has seven of the original singers that first started 13 years ago,” Slawson said.

Although the church will be decorated with Christmas cheer for both Saturday performances, candlelight will add a special glow to the 7 p.m. concert. Both concerts will include such familiar songs as “Silent Night.”

Admission is $18, $15 for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased by calling (847) 429-9486.

For more information, visit heartlandvoices.org.