The Tower Chorale Has A Lot to Sing About
A 25th anniversary, a 125th village birthday, and big plans for the future.
Every Monday night, 80+ dedicated vocalists file into the Grand Avenue Community Center gymnasium. There are nametags, coffee and water, crackers and cookies, and a lot of camaraderie.
The Tower Chorale has a lot to celebrate this year: the group’s 25th anniversary and the 125th birthday celebration for the village, where they will sing on January 30th at McClure Junior High School. January 30th also happens to be the birthday of Jim Winfield, who has been the director of the Tower Chorale since it began in 1986.
The Tower Chorale started shortly after the Grand Avenue Elementary School was renovated to become the Grand Avenue Community Center. A member of the church choir that Winfield was directing at the First Congregational Church of Western Springs suggested that they form a community chorus that could rehearse at the new center.
“It was a way to anchor the new building with something significant going on” explained Winfield. “We spread the word, and at our first meeting, we had about 40 people,” Winfield said. “We told everyone to come back the next week with a friend, and when they returned, we had 80 or 90.”
They gave their first concert at the 4th of July celebration on the Tower Green. Local resident and long time member Kent Taylor said “I was here when the group began. But then I took some time off to serve on the Village Board, which also meets on Monday nights. It is great to be back—and boy, the Mozart is challenging stuff!”
The group has earned its good reputation because they perform significant musical works. Singers are not just from Western Springs. “We have members from all around the western suburbs,” Winfield said.
Tower Chorale performs three concerts a year. The Holiday Concert is the first week of December and always includes a guest ensemble. On the first Sunday in March, they perform a traditional classical program with a full orchestra at The Divine Infant Church in Westchester.
This year “it is the three B’s—Bach, Beethoven and Brahms,” Winfield said. In May, the spring concert always features a professional soloist and explores a variety of themes, from show tunes, to pop or folk music.
“This year, it will be a retrospective of our 25 years,” Winfield said.
Jim Winfield is a director with an impressive resume. He grew up in the area and was a musician at a young age. “I sang in the choir at Lyons Township High School, but I also sang in a choir for men and boys at the La Grange Episcopal Church,” said Winfield. “It was a serious commitmen–we practiced three times a week. I was always drawn to church music.”
Winfield went to Indiana University where he studied organ; he received his master’s degree in conducting from Northwestern University. Some of his work includes the Associate Director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Music Director for the West Suburban Symphony and the choir director and organist for the First Congregational Church in Western Springs, and currently, for the First Congregational Church in Elmhurst.
As if an anniversary and two birthdays aren’t enough excitement, Winfield has decided that he is ready to retire. “It is time” he said. “I told the group—keep singing—don’t quit now—stay on board so we have continuity.”
The board has been interviewing many strong candidates and Winfield is confident that the Tower Chorale will continue to make beautiful music for many years to come.
Go to www.towerchorale.org for more information about upcoming concerts.
