International Musicians Return to Lincoln-Way

Next week, in partnership with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp’s International Program, the Mokena Community Affairs Commission, and hosted by St. John’s UCC of Mokena, will see the final of two international groups returning to the area; a group of 80 from Mullheim in Germany returning to the Lincoln Way area for their fourth tour.

The BigBand and Choir of Markgrafler Gymnasium returns to the Lincoln Way area for the fourth time, traveling this year with a group of 26 musicians and 47 choir members. Their group has numbered as many as 120 and as few as 80 on previous tours. They will arrive on September 14th and return to Germany on September 17th

On Friday, September 16, 2011 the Markgrafler Gymnasium Oberstufenchor and Big Band will present a  Concert Mass at St. John’s UCC, 11100 Second Street, Mokena. The Mass for Choir, Jazz Band and featuring a number of soloists is a performance of a works composed and arranged by Robert Ray (http://music.umsl.edu/bios/ray.html). The piece shares the official lyrics of a Mass Liturgie with a Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Acclamation. Following this presentation, the group will share some of the better know Gospel pieces.

 The Markgrafler Gymnasium is the equivalent of a college prep high school and their BigBand and Choir was founded seventeen years ago by Conductor, Rolf Mandel. The school is large by German standards with about 1,300 students. The music department puts on many local concerts each year in the school, the community and through concert tours. On previous tours, the BigBand and Choir of Markgrafler Gymnasium performed in Holland, Lansing and Rochester Hills, Michigan, Frankfort and Mokena where they have traditionally ended their tours returning to Germany after experiencing the great Midwestern hospitality. 

Under the baton of Mandel, the BigBand and Choir collaborate for many performances, performing Mandel’s arrangements of West Side Story and Porgy and Bess for example. The Choir also performs with a string orchestra performing such pieces as Weihnachts Oratorium by J.S. Bach and Messa di Gloria by Puccini and collaborated with a Polish choir and Italian choir on recent tours. The group has recently performed  a musical for and of the town of Mullheim written by a local composer and arranged by Rolf Mandel.

Dee Block, the local Community Coordinator for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp of Twin Lakes, Michigan, is pleased to bring the Markgrafler Gymnasium Oberstufenchor and Big Band back for the 2011 tour year. This year marks the twelfth year Block has coordinated groups through Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She enjoys sharing the area with these groups and following the “historical culture” of the southern and southwestern suburbs. Most satisfying to her are the long term friendships that have continued over the years between hosts and the hosted.

Block is in need of additional host homes for these international visitors for the period of September 14th to 17th. For the comfort of both the hosts and the guests two or more international visitors are allocated to each home. All the international guests agree to abide by the rules of the host family and organization. For further information, please contact Dee Block at deeblock@aol.com or call 708-478-5974.