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Community Corner

A Few of Her Favorite Things

FCC’s Barbara Thorsen
Celebrates 60th Anniversary as Organist and Accompanist on March 8
and 9, 2014 at 4pm

                                               

Crystal Lake, IL – Where were you
in 1953? Well, if you had been in the 4th and 5th grade
Carol Choir at the First Congregational Church in Crystal Lake you would have perhaps
met their new accompanist, Barbara Sherman Thorsen. As time went by, Mrs.
Thorsen assumed more accompanying responsibilities and eventually became
organist for FCC’s weekly worship services, weddings and funerals. She has
collaborated with Directors of Music, Eva Wedel (1969-2006) and Ann Tucker
(2006-current), on well over 150 productions, concerts and cantatas. In
celebration of this extraordinary achievement, FCC presents “A Few of Her
Favorite Things” on Saturday, March 8 at 4pm and Sunday, March 9 at 4pm,
featuring Barbara on organ and piano as well as FCC’s adult Vestry Choir and Jubilate
Handbell Choir, Alleluia Sound High School Choir, Chancel Choir (6th-8th
grade) and Carol Choir (4th-5th grade). Joining these
performers will be local and alumni musicians including: Brittany Smith, harp;
Alexi Hagedorn, cello; Sara Prather, Robin Restrepo, Davin Wedel, violin; Eva
Wedel, Linda Thorsen, piano.

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Born in Chicago,
Barbara Hess Sherman earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance and
Composition from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She moved to
Crystal Lake with her husband, Robert Sherman in 1951. During her tenure at
FCC, she has accompanied all levels of the FCC choir school as well as numerous
professional and amateur soloists from across McHenry County and beyond.
Barbara has composed and arranged many pieces of music for FCC worship
services, dramatic productions and concerts. Many of the productions were
written and directed by her second husband Arthur Thorsen with Barbara
arranging the music.  One piece on this
concert “Now is the Time to Pray” was written by Barbara in dedication to the
memory of her good friend’s son, John King.

Her daughter, Kim
Sherman, is also a composer, now living in New York City. She was commissioned
by FCC in 1992 to write the music for a hymn to commemorate the church’s
sesquicentennial year. The resulting hymn, with words written by Brian Wren,
has become a cherished part of FCC’s musical fabric and the original
arrangement of “Ever Journeying Friend” for children, youth, adult choirs, bell
choir, organ and congregation will be performed on this concert.

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Todd Coe and Toni
Gambini will add their beautiful voices to the celebration as they sing some of
Barb’s favorite songs including “Simple Gifts” arranged by Copland and “A
Simple Song” from Bernstein’s Mass. Vestry Choir will perform selected
movements of Faure’s “Requiem” accompanied by harp, violin, cello and organ and
featuring soprano, Jennifer Streit on the beautiful “Pie Jesu”. Mack Wilberg’s
mighty choral arrangements of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and “Bound
for the Promised Land” will feature the Vestry Choir with Barbara on organ and
a four-hand accompaniment with Barbara Thorsen and Linda Thorsen on piano. The
youth and children’s choirs will sing the wonderful spiritual “Goin Up A
Yonder” arranged by Martin Sirvatka.

FCC’s virtuosic
adult bell choir, Jubilate, will perform bell arrangements of “Russian Sailor
Dance” by Gliere and Leroy Anderson’s “Bugler’s Holiday” as well as original
compositions by Arnold Sherman and Jason Krug. They will also join the
congregation, choirs and organ on the final hymn “When in Music God is
Glorified”. A fitting finale to the celebration of the first sixty years
of Barbara Thorsen’s service and career as FCC accompanist, organist, composer
and treasured friend.

For more
information call the church office at 815-459-6010 or visit www.fcc-cl.org. The
public is invited to attend this free concert; a free will offering will be
collected to support future events and programs. Doors open at 3:30pm each day
and standing room only is expected at both concerts so come early to get a
seat.  A complimentary reception with
cash bar of beer and wine will follow both concerts. First Congregational
Church is handicapped accessible.

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