Classifieds

View on Facebook

The Independent Newspapers

3 days ago

Jazz Band to perform at Spotlight Gala on Sept. 30

By Dee Longfellow

For The Elmhurst Independent

If there’s one person who might look forward to a new performing arts center in Elmhurst, it would be Doug Beach, Chair of the Jazz Music Department at Elmhurst College, leader of the Jazz Band, and founder of the annual Elmhurst College Jazz Fest that comes to the campus every year in late February.

The Independent caught up Beach last week to seek his opinion and thoughts on the planned Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts (ECPA). Beach is bringing the Elmhurst College Jazz Band to perform at the ECPA Spotlight Gala scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Elmhurst Art Museum, beginning at 7 p.m. The evening will include music, song and dance, along with a gourmet buffet and live auction.

“Well, it’s completely out of my hands,” Beach told the Independent in an exclusive interview. “But any other venue for entertainment in the City can only be a good thing.”

Asked about some of the features planned at the ECPA, Beach found it interesting that there would be classrooms to give lessons and ways to work in small groups.

Having grown up in Broadview, Beach attended Proviso East High School and then did his undergraduate work at Milliken University.

“Right after that, I went on the road,” he said “If I had a chance to perform, that’s what I did. I was able to begin teaching after college, too.”

Beach began his interest in a music career at a very young age, starting in the 4th grade. He was part of a jazz band in the 5th and 6th grade.

“I think we’re fortunate that children can begin learning music in grades K-8,” he said “In most school districts, there is a program that includes instruments for those who don’t have them.”

Writing music is his main focus and he has proven to be no slouch, having won a Grammy in 1996 for a piece he wrote for the Count Basie Orchestra. It took the award for “Best Large Jazz Band Performance.” In 2003, Beach was presented with the President’s Award of Excellence at Elmhurst College, given by former College President Dr. Allan Ray.

The Jazz Band frequently goes on tour around the country and in Europe. Most recently, they were able to perform in France and Italy. Sometimes they are invited to go on tour.

“Last fall, Doc Severinsen called us and asked us to join his tour,” Beach said. “That was nice, that he contacted us.”

The Elmhurst College Jazz Festival celebrated its 50th year in 2016 and Dick Johnson, an NBC news personality in Chicago, took part in hosting the event. In return, the band played for a benefit when Johnson asked.

“There are so many opportunities to study music here at the college,” Beach said. “We have two concert bands, an orchestra, 10 combos and two jazz bands, and that doesn’t include vocal music programs.”

The jazz band stays busy performing all the time, in fact, Beach said they were booked every weekend until sometime in November.

And one of those busy weekends will be Saturday, Sept. 30 when the Jazz Band plays at the ECPA Spotlight Gala. For an opportunity to hear the band and see Beach and his musicians in action, get tickets by visiting squareup.com/store/elmhurst-centre-for-performing-arts.

Proceeds go to the Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts (ECPA), an initiative to build a center for music, theater, dance, and comedy in downtown Elmhurst. ECPA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

The Independent Newspapers

5 days ago

Elmhurst League of Women Voters presents Community Update

Join the League of Women Voters of Elmhurst on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., as they host a panel of local community leaders who will give an update of what is in store for the upcoming year and years to come.
Elmhurst Park District President Vince Spaeth, District 205 School Board President Shannon Ebner and Elmhurst Public Library Board President Marsha Baker. Elmhurst Alderman Kevin York will represent the City of Elmhurst. Each will give a brief look over the past year and into the future related to their specific area.
Questions from the League as well as the public will be taken by the panelists. Come with your questions for these Elmhurst leaders and be informed about what is happening in our community.
The League of Women Voters has a long history of keeping the citizenry aware of what is going on in local government and supporting intergovernmental cooperation. For further information, go to lwvelmhurst.org.
This program is free and open to the public. It is not an Elmhurst Public Library program. ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook

The Independent Newspapers

5 days ago

City asks residents to voice concerns on increased airplane noise

Visit www.elmhurst.org/voiceconcern to complete survey

The City of Elmhurst is asking all residents to help the community by voicing concern of increased airplane noise in Elmhurst. The request for community support has become essential due to the recent 100% increase in nighttime airplane noise affecting specific areas in Elmhurst. Residents are asked to help now by visiting elmhurst.org/voiceconcern to fill out a short survey.
This aircraft noise increase is a result of the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Runway Rotation Plan (RRP) test, which has been implemented to analyze the shared impact of aircraft noise in neighborhoods surrounding O’Hare Airport. The RRP Tests encourage pilots and traffic controllers to use designated nighttime runways. The tests are analyzed by community feedback, including a heavily-weighted survey designed for the RRP.
The Fly Quiet Program is currently administering RRP Test #3. This test directly impacts specific areas in Elmhurst, with a 100% increase in nighttime airplane noise compared to Test #1 and Test #2. Every other week during the evening hours of 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. aircraft noise from low flying planes are causing distress to many Elmhurst residents. This test will be in place through Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. If the survey results for Test #3 show low community feedback, it is possible that this RRP will be the Chicago Department of Aviation’s long-term plan for designated nighttime runway use.
The City of Elmhurst is asking all residents to help now by visiting elmhurst.org/voiceconcern . Residents are asked to fill out a 5-minute survey to voice concern on the RRP Test #3 and its impact on Elmhurst. It is recommended that residents respond to questions #15 and #21 with the answer, “NO”.
Every Elmhurst resident can make a difference. If there are limitations to accessing the Internet, it is recommended that residents call (800) 435-9569 to voice concern. By voicing concern, residents are supporting fair distribution of nighttime air traffic that minimizes the current noise impact on residents in our community.
For more information, visit www.elmhurst.org/voiceconcern ... See MoreSee Less

Airplane Noise Concerns | Elmhurst, IL - Official Website

elmhurst.org

Ways to Voice Airplane Noise Concerns

View on Facebook