Author: OPUS

OPUS to Partner with Naperville Woman’s Club: Solo and Chamber Ensemble Competition

Post author By OPUS
Post date May 22, 2014

We are happy to partner up with Naperville Woman’s Club (NWC) on a solo and chamber ensemble competition, sponsored in part by a SECA grant.

Date: Sat. Feb. 7th, 2015
Ages: 8th-12th Grades
Place: North Central College (Koten Chapel or Madden Theatre)
Type: Solo or Chamber Ensemble

One of the Chamber Ensemble players must be from Naperville (since this is a SECA grant sponsored event)
Instrumentalists Only (our Camp instruments, percussions, and more)

Free of Charge

Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

Winners will receive an invitation to perform in NWC’s Annual Art Fair in Naper Settlement in July!

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2013 “Listen to Our Young Artists Concert” is Going to be Aired on NCTV Channel 17

Post author By OPUS
Post date May 3, 2014

Part 1 is going to be shown:

Sat May 3 10 AM
Sun May 4 930 AM/ 830 PM
Mon May 5 730 PM

People without cable access to NCTV channel 17 can watch it live stream online.

And Parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 will follow — simply check NCTV’s schedule to find the showtimes.

Music News

Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Post author By OPUS
Post date April 21, 2014

There is a remarkable symphony orchestra and chorus in the Congo, one of the poorest countries in the world. A story about this remarkable ensemble aired on CBS 60 Minutes on April 20, 2014. Everyone commutes to rehearsal, 6 days a week. Some trek, through rough terrain and inhospitable conditions, 90 minutes each way to rehearse. What kept them going? The MUSIC! Some quotes from the broadcast:

“When Sylvia plays her violin, she says she left the planet.”

“Their faces change when they do their music.”

“I joined the orchestra Nov. 8, 2013, it is like a birth of symphony orchestra, a date we cannot forget.”

If you didn’t get a chance to see it Sunday night, click here to watch it. It’s worth your time.

OPUS Events OPUS News OPUS Programs

Never Too Late to Play Chamber Music Workshop: August 23rd!

Post author By OPUS
Post date March 19, 2014

OPUS will be holding a 1-day intensive “Never Too Late to Play Chamber Music” (NTL) Workshop on Saturday August 23rd, 2014 at Naperville North Central College’s Larrance Academic Center and Koten Chapel!

This workshop is open to strings, clarinet, flute, and piano players of all levels who would like to make music and receive coaching in a relaxed and supportive environment. Preformed groups are encouraged to apply. Individual applicants will be placed in a group according to ability and experience. Each group will have four (4) coaching/rehearsal sessions with OPUS NTL faculty members as led by Mara Gallagher (violinist/violist), the Music Director. Lunch will be provided. The day will culminate with a performance in NCC’s Koten Chapel.

Hope you can join us! We look forward to seeing you!!!

Time: Saturday August 23, 2014: 9 am to 5 pm
Venue: Larrance Academic Center and Koten Chapel, North Central College, 309 E. School St., Naperville, IL 60540.
Fee: $90/person for 24 to 64 years old. Others: $60/person. Lunch is included.
Registration deadline: August 8, 2014.

For more information and to register, download our application form here, or contact Linda Yu at [email protected]; 630.983.8902; or email Mara Gallagher at [email protected].

Music News

On PBS: Making sure young brains get the benefits of music training

Post author By OPUS
Post date March 9, 2014

The percentage of students receiving music education has been in decline for decades. The Harmony Project, a music program for inner-city kids in Los Angeles partners with a neurobiologist to study the impact of music training on the learning skills of poor children.

“Music is like a dialogue because we can play a certain thing – let’s say the violin can play something back –it could be the same melody different notes and it’s like a conversation talking back and forth.”

Click here to watch it.

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Oscar Winner: that The Lady In Number 6 – Music Saved My Life

Post author By OPUS
Post date March 8, 2014

The Documentary Short subject Oscar winner Lady in Number 6: How Music Saved My Life about the late Alice Herz Sommer, who died Sunday in a London hospital at the age of 110, has just been acquired by Netflix. Those wishing to see the picture can on do so on April 1 in the U.S. and Canada exclusively on Netflix.

Herz Sommer, a concert pianist, was the oldest living Holocaust survivor and had stayed alive in a Nazi concentration camp by giving piano recitals. Her mother and husband perished in Nazi camps. The documentary shares her very positive philosophy of life about how she maintained her happiness despite enduring pure evil.

The 38-minute film began its theatrical release in 100 specialty theaters in select markets this past Friday, Feb. 21 via HD Shorts. It is also set for playdates internationally. Herz Sommer, was an accomplished concert pianist and music teacher in Prague who became a prisoner in Theresienstadt after Nazis invaded her country in 1943. Her mother, her husband and their six year-old son were transported to camps where her husband and her mother would lose their lives. After she and her little boy were liberated, she returned to performing professionally and her son also became a concert cellist. He died later, leaving his mother to survive him. The documentary is executive produced by Phillip Goldfine, Larry Abramson, Frederic Bohbot, Christopher Branch and Timothy Marlowe executive produced. The Oscar show is this Sunday, March 2nd.

Music News

Charlie White Plays Violin on ‘Today’ After Winning Gold at Sochi Olympics with Meryl Davis

Post author By OPUS
Post date February 19, 2014

Gold Medalist Charlie White breaks out his violin on The Today Show during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Tuesday morning (February 18) in Sochi, Russia (watch it here).

The 26-year-old ice dancer, who just won the gold medal in ice dance with partner Meryl Davis, honored a promise he made with Savannah Guthrie that he’d play violin if he took home the gold.

After his impromptu performance, Charlie shared: “I think I was more nervous for that. It’s been a solid three years since I’ve played the violin so I’m just honored that it could be for you guys.”

“I felt like we had done everything we could from the beginning of this competition, in practice, team event, this event. And 17 years of hard work was justified. To come away with a gold medal is amazing,” Charlie shared in a press conference earlier about their win.