Upcoming Events

Current Season 2006-2007:    Sept   Oct    Nov   Dec   Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun
Past Seasons:                        2004-2005    2005-2006

The Next Event:

April 29, 2007 (Sunday) at 4:00 PM: International Chamber Artists (ICA) Concert at St. Gregory's:

The International Chamber Artists (ICA) concert on Sunday April 29, 2007 at 4:00 PM at St. Gregory the Great Church will feature pianist and Artistic Director Patrick Godon and ten other musicians. The program begins with Bernstein's Suite from West Side Story for Brass Quintet - with Andrea Vonk, trumpet, Simon Menin, trumpet, Keri Godon, horn, Chelsea French, trombone, and Mark Fabulich, tuba. Come and hear some of your favorite melodies from this great musical that combines Afro-Caribbean and Latin American music, jazz, and Tin Pan Alley melodies. The Austrian composer Heinrich von Herzogenberg's Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Piano, Op. 43 is relatively unknown. His music reveals influences of a friendship with Brahms. The quintet will be performed by Machiko Ogawa, oboe, Pamela Coats, clarinet, Keri Godon, horn, and Karl Rzasa, bassoon. The concert ends with the Debussy Piano Trio - played by Emma Banfield, violin, and Nuno Abreu, cello. This piece was lost to the world for over a century after its composition, and only recently published in 1986! Experience this beautiful piece as a pioneer audience member.

The featured student from the People's Music School for this concert will be 14-year-old Mehdi Boukhafla. 20% of the proceeds from all the concerts for the first year will be donated to the People's Music School, an organization that offers free music lessons for those who have little opportunity for musical instruction. Suggested donation for this concert is $15 for adults and $7 for students. For further information please visit our website at www.ICAmusic.org or call 773-727-5357.

After the concert you are invited to a "Meet and Greet the Musicians" at Ranalli's Restaurant located on 1512 W Berwyn, 60640, just east of Ashland. We've reserved the whole restaurant, just bring your program to get in the door and you'll be able to meet and talk with your favorite musicians! Ranalli's will donate 20% of dinner receipts to ICA.   

Current Season 2006-2007 - Full Schedule:

September 24, 2006 (Sunday) at 4:00 PM: International Chamber Artists (ICA) Concert at St. Gregory's

www.icamusic.org

INTRODUCING THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER ARTISTS (ICA) - A message from Patrick Godon: The International Chamber Artists (www.icamusic.org), a diverse group of musicians, presents their premiere concert at St. Gregory the Great Church on Sunday, September 24th at 4:00 PM. ICA is a non-profit corporation that was recently formed Patrick Godon, the music director at St. Gregory the Great Church. If you have appreciated the concerts so far here at St. Gregory's, you will really enjoy these chamber music concerts.

Each ICA concert will involve at least 6 musician-artists.  The first concert features Patrick in collaboration with Romanian violinist Roxana Pavel-Goldstein and Columbian cellist Carolina Gomez playing the incredibly virtuosic Tchaikovsky Piano Trio.  The second half of the concert will involve 3 members from the Alloy Arts Ensemble - the St. Gregory resident brass quintet - Andrea Vonk (trumpet), Keri Godon (horn), and Chelsea French (trombone), playing Poulenc's comical Sonata for Trumpet, Horn, and Trombone.  Suggested donation for this concert is $10-$20 for adults and $5-$10 for students.

A portion of the proceeds from all the concerts for the first year will be donated to the People's Music School, an organization that offers free music lessons for everyone, especially to those who have little opportunity for musical instruction.  For further information please call 773-354-4533. 

The other four concerts dates for your calendar and planning purposes are all at 4:00 PM Sunday at St. Gregory the Great Church:

          April 29, 2007 - Debussy Piano Trio & Herzogenberg Quintet

          May 20, 2007 - Brahms Piano Quintet, other works TBD

          June 10, 2007 - Messaien Quartet for the End of Time, Britten Oboe Quartet & Britten Canticle III

Musically, I want to present the works to the audience showing a bit about interesting features of each piece, as well as taking the music apart a bit, color by color - and then showing how the composer fits them all together to form the complete musical tapestry.   I also want to show similarities & differences between composers, possibly presented in program notes. 

ICA will donate some money from each concert, even from the beginning, for programs that benefit underprivileged musicians.  For the first year to the People's Music School - they offer music lessons for people of all ages FREE for those who can't afford it.  ICA will kick of the Thursday summer concerts at the People's Music School playing a concert on June 28th & presenting a check to them then for whatever we were able to raise during the year.  In future years, I'd like to raise money for similar organizations in other countries and similarly travel to that country and present a concert there, thus reinforcing the international side of things.  A few people have told me I should also look into various consulates, as they may be interested in what we are doing. 

More information about the ICA and its mission can be found on the newly designed website: www.icamusic.org

I've found a lot of interest and have hand-picked the players - i.e. they are all people with which I work well and who bring a lot to the table as musicians.  They are also all around my age and bring a youthful vigor to their music!  You are invited to attend all of these concerts to support my endeavor - this Tchaikovsky Trio has a molto difficult piano part; you have to hear it to believe it!  Thanks and I hope you can make it on Sunday Sept. 24th at 4:00 PM.

October 27, 2006 (Friday) at 7:30 PM: Patrick Godon Solo Piano Recital in Ford City, PA

November 16, 2006 (Thursday) at 8:00 PM
November 17, 2006 (Friday) at 8:00 PM, and
November 18, 2006 (Saturday) at 8:00 PM: Patrick Godon w/ the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall:    This CSO concert at Orchestra Hall in downtown Chicago will include Lutoslawski's "Koncert na Orckiestre (Concerto for Orchestra)"

November 26, 2006 (Sunday) at 6:00 PM: International Chamber Artists (ICA) Concert at St. Gregory's

Mozart Quintet for Piano & Winds
K. 452 Leopold Mozart Alto Trombone Concerto
Haydn Trio Hoboken XV: No. 25
Beethoven An Die Ferne Geliebte, Adelaide
Mozart Rivlogete from Cosi fan Tutte

ROUND OUT YOUR THANKGIVING WEEKEND WITH PIECES OF BEAUTIFUL HOMEMADE
MUSIC!

The second International Chamber Artists (ICA) concert on November 26, 2006 at 6:00 PM at St. Gregory the Great Church will feature pianist and Artistic Director Patrick Godon playing in various combinations with nine other musicians. 

The concert will include the most popular Haydn Piano Trio  - Hoboken XV: No. 25 with Hungarian Rondo last movement - played by Roxana Pavel Goldstein, violin, and Carolina Gomez, cello.  Also on the program will be two very talented vocal soloists from the 2006 Chicago Opera Theater Young Artists Program singing Beethoven songs.  Jessica Usherwood, soprano, will sing An die ferne Geliebte, the first recognized song cycle, and Teppei Kono, baritone, will sing "Adelaide."  Father and son Mozart will comprise the second half.  The Leopold Mozart Trombone Concerto will showcase Chelsea French, trombone.  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Quintet for Piano and Winds in E-flat Major, K. 452 will be performed by Machiko Ogawa, oboe, Pamela Coats, clarinet, Keri Godon, horn, and Jason Kramer, bassoon.  W. A. Mozart in a 1784 letter to his father said of the Quintet, "I myself consider it the best thing I have ever composed in my life."  You will be fully stuffed with musical delights as the concert concludes with Teppei Kono singing "Rivolgete" from W. A. Mozart's Così fan tutte.  The featured student from the People's Music School for this concert will be 15-year-old Sabriah Wiedeman. 

A portion of the proceeds from all the concerts for the first year will be donated to the People's Music School, an organization that offers free music lessons for everyone, especially to those who have little opportunity for musical instruction.  Suggested donation for this concert is $10-$20 for adults and $5-$10 for students. For further information please visit our website at www.ICAmusic.org or call 773-727-5357. 

Free parking is available in St. Gregory's courtyard parking lot which is entered from W. Bryn Mawr through a "tunnel" between St. Gregory High School and the British School of Chicago. Parking is also available in the lot on the northwest corner of N. Ashland and W. Gregory across the street from St. Gregory's gym building.

November 30, 2006 (Thursday) at 8:00 PM
December 1, 2006 (Friday) at 1:30 PM
December 2, 2006 (Saturday) at 8:00 PM, and
December 5, 2006 (Tuesday) at 7:30 PM: Patrick Godon with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall:   This CSO concert at Orchestra Hall in downtown Chicago will include Bartok's "Miraculous Mandarin"

December 10, 2006 at 2:00 PM (Sunday):  Patrick Godon with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, NY: Once again, St. Gregory's Music Directory Patrick Godon has been invited to travel with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to play at Carnegie Hall in NY.  The concert will include Bartok's "Miraculous Mandarin"

December 17, 2006 at 6:30 PM (Sunday): Festival of Lights, Lessons, and Carols. Prelude @ 6:30 PM, Liturgy @ 7:00 PM

The 6th annual Christmas Festival of Lessons, Lights, and Carols, a holiday tradition at St. Gregory the Great Church will include music from Advent and Christmas carols, along with solo and choral selections from Handel's Messiah with organ and chamber orchestra accompaniment. The Choir will be joined by the St. Gregory Youth Choir under the direction of Megan Frei, the St. Gregory Chant Choir as well as the St. Gregory Chamber Orchestra. Prelude music will begin at 6:30 PM.

This event is free and open to all. A good will offering, to be donated to the Bonaventure House, will be taken up at the end of the evening.  

Free parking is available in St. Gregory’s courtyard parking lot which is entered from W. Bryn Mawr through a “tunnel” between St. Gregory High School and the British School of Chicago. Parking is also available in the lot on the northwest corner of N. Ashland and W. Gregory across the street from St. Gregory’s gym building. 

January 11, 2007 at 8:00 PM (Thursday)
January 12, 2007 at 1:30 PM (Friday), and
January 13, 2007 at 8:00 PM (Saturday): Patrick Godon with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall:
Works will include Respighi's "Pines of Rome" and "Fountains of Rome"

April 23, 2007 (Monday) at 7:30 PM: Patrick Godon with the Chicago Civic Orchestra:   This concert at Orchestra Hall in downtown Chicago will include works by Stravinsky, Petrouchka.

April 29, 2007 (Sunday) at 4:00 PM: International Chamber Artists (ICA) Concert at St. Gregory's:   

The International Chamber Artists (ICA) concert on Sunday April 29, 2007 at 4:00 PM at St. Gregory the Great Church will feature pianist and Artistic Director Patrick Godon and ten other musicians. The program begins with Bernstein's Suite from West Side Story for Brass Quintet - with Andrea Vonk, trumpet, Simon Menin, trumpet, Keri Godon, horn, Chelsea French, trombone, and Mark Fabulich, tuba. Come and hear some of your favorite melodies from this great musical that combines Afro-Caribbean and Latin American music, jazz, and Tin Pan Alley melodies. The Austrian composer Heinrich von Herzogenberg's Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Piano, Op. 43 is relatively unknown. His music reveals influences of a friendship with Brahms. The quintet will be performed by Machiko Ogawa, oboe, Pamela Coats, clarinet, Keri Godon, horn, and Karl Rzasa, bassoon. The concert ends with the Debussy Piano Trio - played by Emma Banfield, violin, and Nuno Abreu, cello. This piece was lost to the world for over a century after its composition, and only recently published in 1986! Experience this beautiful piece as a pioneer audience member.

The featured student from the People's Music School for this concert will be 14-year-old Mehdi Boukhafla. 20% of the proceeds from all the concerts for the first year will be donated to the People's Music School, an organization that offers free music lessons for those who have little opportunity for musical instruction. Suggested donation for this concert is $15 for adults and $7 for students. For further information please visit our website at www.ICAmusic.org or call 773-727-5357.

After the concert you are invited to a "Meet and Greet the Musicians" at Ranalli's Restaurant located on 1512 W Berwyn, 60640, just east of Ashland. We've reserved the whole restaurant, just bring your program to get in the door and you'll be able to meet and talk with your favorite musicians! Ranalli's will donate 20% of dinner receipts to ICA.

May 20, 2007 (Sunday) at 4:00 PM: International Chamber Artists (ICA) Concert at St. Gregory's

June 10, 2007 (Sunday) at 4:00 PM : International Chamber Artists (ICA) Concert at St. Gregory's

Past Events 

2005-2006 Season:

November 20, 2005 at 4:00 PM: Brass Quintet Concert by the Alloy Arts Ensemble at St. Gregory the Great Church:   The Alloy Arts Ensemble is a dynamic group of musicians with a vibrant sound together; you must hear them to believe your ears. Their program will include music of Chicago composers, Bach, Debussy, and the Beatles. The members include Simon Menin and Andrea Vonk, trumpets, Keri Godon, french horn, Chelsea French, trombone, and Sean Whitaker, tuba.  Suggested donation for the concert is $10 $20 for adults and $5 $10 for seniors and students. See their website for more info on the performers and the concert: http://www.alloyartsensemble.com/

December 18, 2005 at 7:00 PM: 5th Annual Christmas Festival of Lessons, Lights, and Carols:  The 5th annual Christmas Festival of Lessons, Lights, and Carols, a holiday tradition at St. Gregory the Great Church will include music from Advent and Christmas carols, along with solo and choral selections from Handel's Messiah with organ and chamber orchestra accompaniment. The St. Gregory Chant Choir will provide prelude music beginning at 6:30 PM. You can hear music from the last two festivals by clicking on "Parish Choir Live Recordings" on the homepage.

November 5th, 2004 at 7:30 PM: Piano Dedication Concert:   This concert will celebrate the dedication of our new 6'4" Boston grand piano, bought in part with parishioners donations. This concert will include seven pianists, including Patrick Godon, the music director of St. Gregory the Great, and principal pianist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mary Sauer, playing a 4-hands piano piece by Schubert. The program also includes vocal selections and a chamber music piece by Fauré.

November 21, 2004 at 3:00 PM: Civic Chamber Music Concert at St. Gregory Church:   Members of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago will be performing chamber music at St. Gregory the Great Church. Patrick Godon, Civic Orchestra pianist and Music Director at St. Gregory the Great, will be playing in one of the chamber groups. His group will play the Brahms Trio No. 2, Op. 87 in C Major for piano, violin, and cello. The other group on the program will play the Poulenc Sextet.

December 19, 2004 at 7:30 PM  4 th Annual Christmas Festival of Lessons, Lights, and Carols:  Please join us for our 4th annual Christmas Festival of Lessons, Lights and Carols, a holiday tradition at St. Gregory the Great Church. The music will include Advent and Christmas carols along with solo and choral selections from Handel’s Messiah with organ and chamber orchestra accompaniment. Music will be presented by the St. Gregory the Great Choir under the direction of Patrick Godon, the director of Music and Liturgy at St. Gregory. The Choir will be joined by the St. Gregory Youth Choir under the direction of Kathy Pepin, the St. Gregory Chant Choir as well as the St. Gregory Chamber Orchestra. A reception will follow the event in the high school cafeteria.

Admission is free but a good will offering will be taken. Free parking is available in St. Gregory’s courtyard parking lot which is entered from W. Bryn Mawr through a “tunnel” between St. Gregory High School and the British School of Chicago. Parking is also available in the lot on the northwest corner of N. Ashland and W. Gregory across the street from St. Gregory’s gym building.