Schaumburg Township District Library
Audiovisual Department Newsletter -- October, 2005


Chicago Zither Club


Chicago Zither Club
Monday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Audiovisual Department

The Chicago Zither Club was founded in 1913 to promote and preserve all aspects of the zither and its music. The Chicago Zither Club Orchestra is the principal means for achieving this end and is the center of the club's activity. It is one of the oldest community orchestras in the country. From its earliest days, the orchestra has been presenting spring and fall concerts for the enjoyment and enrichment of a loyal community of followers.

The club, in its wider undertakings, fosters a range of related activities, performances by ensembles, appearances by zither players and groups from Europe, lectures, workshops, participation by club members in folk music festivals, instruction in zither playing.

Zither music, like the music of numerous other instruments, is divided into two large categories: folk/popular and classical traditions. The Chicago Zither Club delights in both worlds, and over the many decades of its existence, has amassed an extensive library of music for the instrument.

The orchestra has always included other stringed instruments for support, and variety, as well as to embellish and strengthen the sound. The club is always on the lookout for players of other instruments who have an interest in playing with the orchestra. Because there is no zither activity in the United States comparable to that of the Chicago Zither Club, the spring and fall performances will always include zitherists from other parts of the country. 

Our players consists of:
 
Ruth Valentino        Zither
Manny Guevara      Guitar
Glenn Peisker          Mando Cello
Casey Stockdon     String Bass

If you are interested in engaging the Chicago Zither Club for one of your functions, please contact Ruth Valentino at (847) 534-3680.


October Programming

As food is to the body, it is the arts that nourish the soul.

During every music event of the summer concert series, I took time to find the wonder and uniqueness of the little things that usually go unnoticed: the warm connections made with other concert goers,  the wind and sun on my skin while sitting in Town Square, and the amazing talents of those performing before us. I realized as we listened that we all need much more of the arts in this world. Music is a gift that needs to be shared on a grand scale.  It says so much to the listener without uttering a word by appealing to the soul on an emotional level. These small meditations remind my soul that there is something bigger than the thoughts that filled my mind throughout each day.  Each of us can enjoy these special gifts  by simply opening our senses and our hearts.

You have made me quite aware of the importance of the summer concert series by filling out the concert survey. Thank you all for your wonderful comments. They were shared with the library board during their September meeting.
Next summer we will celebrate Schaumburg's 50th Anniversary with a Big Band Summer Concert Series during June, July and August. 

With much gratitude, Barbara Marik

Audiobooks and eBooks Now Available 24/7 Online

Checkout and Download Popular Titles from the Comfort of Your Home

 

Now your library never closes! With our new digital library, patrons can browse, checkout and download digital audiobooks and eBooks anytime from anywhere in the world. The new online service, available through a partnership with the North Suburban Library System and 18 area libraries, can be accessed at www.stdl.org or www.mediamall.net.

 

With hundreds of exceptional titles to choose from, our online collection is sure to have something that fits your tastes. From popular novels by Nora Roberts, Catherine Coulter and Dean Koontz, to the classic works of Shakespeare, Dickens, Twain and even Homer — our audiobook and eBook collection spans nearly every genre. Many new titles will be added to the list each week. The collection also includes children’s, educational titles and a wide variety of non-fiction including business, history, self-help and travel.

 

Getting started is easy. Just visit our library web site at www.stdl.org, install the free software from the web site, then browse our collection and select the titles you want. When you’re ready, check out your materials by entering your library card and download the digital books to your home computer.

 

Once downloaded, you can transfer them to your portable device, or burn the audio books directly to CD. When the lending period is up your digital books are automatically returned — so there are never any late fees!

 

Digital books are compatible with most home computers. Download audiobooks (digital versions of traditional audio books on tape or CD) to enjoy on your PC or on hundreds of portable WMA/MP3 players. You can also burn audiobooks to CD and listen to them in the car or on any standard CD player. eBooks (digital text based versions of a book) can be read on PCs, MACs, PDAs and Smartphones.

 

Visit our digital library 24/7 at www.stdl.org. Click on eMEDIA. Then click on: My Media Mall
Detailed instructions for getting started are available under Digital Book Help. For more information, contact one of our staff members at (847) 923-3182. For additional information, please call Amy Peterson, Popular Services Librarian. Amy is involved with audiovisual collection development which includes the MP3 media.


Jimmy's Bavarians


Jimmy's Bavarians
Monday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.

Audiovisual Department

 

Jimmy’s Bavarians is a family-oriented recording show band that, time-after-time, has helped to fill the bill for that elusive ethnic headliner. Traditional in instrumentation and complete with authentic attire, the band offers the full-spectrum of old and new favorites, in both English and German, including songs sent from the Oktoberfest in Munich.

 

This band has appeared at Illinois State University, Ravinia, Cantigny, Cuneo Museum, DuPage County Fair, Illinois State Fair, Lake Zurich Oktoberfest, Downers Grove Oktoberfest, Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Marshall Field’s Day, Navy Pier, plus a host of other events. Jimmy, a National Education Association life member, is a certified teacher with 34 years of teaching experience.


Annie Ondra, their charismatic vocalist, was born in the Sudetenland, the German-speaking section of the former Czechoslovakia. Her specialty languages are German and Czech, but she now sings in seven languages! She has appeared with Jimmy's Bavarians for 10 years and many people look forward to her appeara nces as featured vocalist with the band .

 

This presentation is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.  It will last for approximately two hours.

 

If you are interested in engaging Jimmy's Bavarians for one of your functions, please contact Jim Bestman at (630) 543-7899 or visit their website at :

http://www.jimmysbavarians.com/

or e-mail Jim at:
jimmy@jimmysbavarians.com


Midwest Ballroom with John Russell Ghrist
90.9fm WDCB Public Radio

WDCB is a non-commercial, public radio station broadcasting continuously to northeastern Illinois. The station is known for its diverse music programming: lots of jazz, folk, reggae, world, classical and my favorite, "Midwest Ballroom," hosted by John Russell Ghrist, which has aired for four years. It is heard Saturdays at 5 p.m. over 90.9fm WDCB in digital HD and features Chicago area big bands and musicians. The station is owned by the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL and can be heard throughout Chicago and the suburbs, as well as worldwide on the Internet by going to www.WDCB.org.  Listeners may contact John Russell Ghrist at P.O. Box 1073 Dundee, IL 60118.  The show recently observed its 4th anniversary. Additional information on upcoming music events and dances can be found at www.yorkvillebigband.com.  In addition to "Midwest Ballroom," be sure to tune into "Swing Shift" at 11 a. m. with Bruce Oscar and "Those Were the Days," the station's old time radio show with Chuck Schaden from 1 - 5 p.m.

 Midwest Ballroom Programs for October

Oct. 1 - Reunion Jazz Orchestra
Bandleader Nick Talarico rescued the music that was being discarded at Notre Dame High School in Niles, IL, reformed the band, and now presents this delightful collection of tasteful tunes at local establishments. The orchestra has recorded two CD's. Jennifer Connelly sings with the band. The RJO can be reached at (847) 630-3321.

Oct. 8 - Johnnie Kaye Orchestra
Bandleader Johnnie Kaye leads one of the area's oldest dance bands that still travels the Midwest to play at regular dances and weekend events. The band is from Peru, Illinois and has produced several recordings. The band's singer is Alicia Hamilton.

Oct. 15 - Yorkville American Legion Big Band
Bandleader Rick Falato is a former northwest suburban high school band director. The band hosts dances on the third Sunday of each month at the Yorkville American Legion, Routes 34 and 47 in Yorkville, IL. Dance lessons begin at 5 p.m., followed by dancing from 6-9 p.m. Highlights of the band's appearance at this past summer's Schaumburg Township District Library concerts will be presented. The band can be reached at (630) 553-0153. The band's singers are Leslie Beukelman and Dean Potter. The show will also include music by the traveling Glenn Miller Orchestra who will appear in concert at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Theater in Aurora on October 16. The band is lead by Larry O'Brien. The president of the Glenn Niller Birthplace Society in Clarinda, Iowa, Harold Negley will discuss the disappearance of Miller's plane in 1944. The society has an annual festival to mark Miller's accomplishments each June.

Oct. 22 - Steve Cooper Orchestra
Steve Cooper's vibrant trumpet playing adds spice to this all-around band that performs ballroom and Dixieland style music. The orchestra performs often at area ballrooms and has recorded several albums. Highlights of the orchestra's last summer concert at the Schaumburg Township District Library will be presented. The band's singer is Mary Kalfas.

Oct. 29 - Limited Edition Big Band
Dick Gulbrandsen leads this high-energy orchestra that plays a variety of big band standards and jazz tunes. The band has recorded several CD's and plays often at area events including the Naperville Rib Fest. Highlights of this past summer's concert at the Schaumburg Township District Library will be presented. The band is also going on a jazz cruise this winter. Julie Creighton is the band's vocalist.

Musically Yours,

Barbara R. Marik

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Audiovisual Information Coordinator/Music Programmer • Schaumburg Township District Library
130 South Roselle Road • Schaumburg, IL 60193 • (847) 923-3186