Making music for the season

Downtown Chicago certainly offers a feast for the senses to ignite spirits in the lead up to Christmas. But when it comes to melodic merriment, Hinsdale is the place for a high-quality musical performances without the city crowds and parking hassles. So hark, the concerts take the stage soon and now is the time to make plans for holiday listening delight!

Central holiday concert

The Hinsdale Central music department presents its holiday concert 7 to 9 p.m. this evening, Dec. 12, in the auditorium at Hinsdale Central High School,

Jennifer Burkemper, Central's choir director, said the annual program, as always, will be a group effort.

"Our holiday concert features the entire music department in performances," Burkemper said. "Curricular jazz, orchestra, band and choirs are all performing a wide variety of styles, including holiday favorites."

She said the concert is designed to entertain those in attendance and to showcase the students' considerable talent.

"We want to get our audience into the holiday spirit, of course," Burkemper said. "We hope our audience will see the high level of musicianship that our ensembles bring in performance, the variety of ensembles and type of repertoire performed."

Among the pieces featured will be the Chamber Choir's time-honored rendition of "Carol of the Bells." And don't think about ducking out early.

"All choirs combine with our philharmonic orchestra on stage for the grand finale, a medley of carols, and there will be snow falling on stage," she revealed.

Burkemper praised the young musicians for their dedication even while busy with schoolwork and active in other pursuits.

"Preparing for this concert is months of daily rehearsal, hours of dress rehearsals and combined rehearsals, and a lot of logistical planning from the faculty," she said. "The end result is a wonderful evening of music. We are proud to teach the students here at Hinsdale Central."

The school is located at 5500 S. Grant St. Admission is free.

Operatic evening

The entire family is in for a special treat at An Evening of Opera benefit at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at The Community House.

Award-winning baritone Jonathan Beyer will perform opera, song and holiday favorites in this concert. Beyer, who lives in New York City but hails from Orland Park, said he enjoys returning to the region.

"I tried early on my career to always make it back to the southwest suburbs to do programs like this," he said. "This is nice way for me to come home and have a chance to perform."

Beyer has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera and Opera Frankfurt, among others. He appreciates the opportunity to provide a more intimate opera experience for listeners with a diverse repertoire he has curated.

"I just got to pick all my favorite pieces," he said. "We'll have Gershwin and Tom Lehrer from the American songbook, as well as classic musical theater like Rodgers and Hammerstein, and holiday favorites - not just Christmas-y but also some secular songs in there as well. It should be a nice mix."

Beyer said one need not be a Lyric Opera regular to attend.

"If you're not a big fan of opera, just wait a second and you'll get a great musical theater piece. It's designed to be accessible but with high-level performance - just a very audience-friendly, fun evening."

Beyer is especially pleased to be joined by friend and mezzo soprano Amanda Crider. Both started out as piano students before shifting to vocal performance, which allows them to dust off their key skills.

"This is a chance for us to play the piano for one another," he said. "She'll get up and sing an aria and I'll accompany her, and we'll switch."

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the many services provided by The Community House.

The Community House is located at 415 W. Eighth St. Tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for kids 18 and younger. Visit http://www.thecommunityhouse.org.

A Pair of Pianos

Justin Gjata and Victor Moreno will present Two Piano Christmas Concert at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Gjata, 22, is an Albanian-American pianist who began playing at age 5. In a recent interview he shared his deep dedication to developing his musicianship.

"I spend four to five hours a day at the piano. I also allocate some time to study musical scores," Gjata told "Atlantiku". "This is my life. To be a musician, you have to live and breathe it, and the audience deserves the genuine expression of music from the depths of the soul."

Angie Grozdic, who handles communications for Hinsdale SDA Church, said Hinsdale's Victor Moreno is Gjata's longtime teacher and mentor.

She noted that they have performed together all over the U.S. as well as in Europe.

"They'll play basically a lot of traditional Christmas carols and favorites, as well as selections from Handel's 'Messiah' and 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' with a little gospel feel," Grozdic said.

Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church is located at 201 N. Oak St. A free-will offering will be collected.