Copyright Chicago Tribune
The Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale has come a long way since it was started as a program of the Glen Ellyn Park District in January 1985. The chorus, which became an Illinois nonprofit in 1994, presents two concerts each year, in spring and winter, and tours internationally. Last summer, the chorus toured the Baltic states for 12 days, with performances in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The group has traveled to Europe to perform three times in its 40-year history. The Chorale has also presented special performances at Pheasant Run with Kenny Rogers, the Oakbrook Marriott Hotel, Wheaton’s “Autumn Fest,” Kane County Cougars baseball games, and “Holiday Magic” at Brookfield Zoo. Michael Popplewell of North Aurora took on the role of interim music director last summer when music director Jennifer Whiting left that position. Prior to that, the baritone had sung with the group since 2023. “I initially joined because my friend Jennifer was the director and I have a lot of respect for her,” Popplewell said. In addition, he said, “I love singing in groups.” Popplewell is the choral educator for the Elmwood Park School District and Director of Choirs at United Methodist Church of Geneva. He believes that the Chorale has flourished so long because of “the rich music culture in the western suburbs,” Popplewell said. “People appreciate the Chorale, so we have people come to watch the concerts. And continually people join so that when other folks move away, there’s other people that are drawn into it.” Kevin Lange, of Wheaton, is in his fourth season as the collaborative accompanist with the Chorale. He took on the additional role of interim ensemble director this summer. “The Ensemble is a smaller group of about 15 members from within the Chorale,” Lange said. They are chosen by audition. “We present a couple of separate numbers within the larger Chorale concerts but we also take the music to senior living communities in the area,” Lange said. “That outreach to the senior community is so valuable to those communities. It’s always greatly appreciated.” The Ensemble generally presents five concerts between November and December. Lange thinks the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale has flourished for so long because “there is a remarkable commitment by the members of the Chorale,” he said. Chorale members, who are chosen through an audition, pay a membership fee. Board President Marisa G. Sabatini-Nickol, of Wheaton, an alto, has sung with the Chorale for 20 years. “My mom joined the year before me and she really liked it,” Sabatini-Nickol said. “I enjoy the community feel, that we’re all different people from different walks of life yet here we are for two hours together every week making the same piece of music.” She has been president of the Chorale since last spring. Sabatini-Nickol said Chorale members enjoy “anything we can do together as a group, even local caroling in downtown Glen Ellyn. Just trying to make our voices known to the community.” The Chorale will mark its 40th Anniversary with a “Wintersong 2025” concert, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 and 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 West Brush Hill Road in Elmhurst. Popplewell reported that there are 67 singers on the roster for that concert. Lange said that one of the highlights of that concert will be John Rutter’s “Gloria.” Popplewell agreed that selection will be special. “It’s going to be the centerpiece of the first half of the program,” he said. “There’s some bombastic louder moments; there’s some contemplative, flowing moments.” Musical accompaniment will add to the beauty of the work. “We have seven brass instruments playing along with us, two percussions, and we’re going to make use of the organ at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church,” Popplewell reported. “In the last four or five years, the Chorale has collaborated several times with Anima, the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus,” Lange said. “We’re very happy to have them first as carolers in the lobby to welcome audience members and they will also participate both with their own songs in the concert but also collaborating with the Chorale on a piece.” For the Saturday concert, Lange reported, Chorale alumni will be invited to join the Chorale onstage for a final number. “So far, we have up to 20 alumni coming back to sing with us,” Sabatini-Nickol reported. “It’s going to be beautiful.” The spring 2026 concerts, called “Anniversaries and Onward,” will be May 8-9, in Elmhurst and Geneva. Tickets for the winter concert are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors 62 and older, and $15 for students. For reservations and additional information, call 630-415-3066 or visit gewchorale.org. Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
