Upcoming Performances:

Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 4pm - Great Elgin Pipe Organ Tour, First Presbyterian of Elgin, 240 Standish, Elgin, IL

Friday, October 16, 2026 at 12:10pm - Noonday Concerts at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St, Chicago, IL

Recent Performances:

Songs and Dances - Friday, October 17, 2025 - Noonday Concerts at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL

Songs and Dances - Sunday, October 5, 2025 - Moonlight Theatre, St. Charles, IL

Songs and Dances - Friday, October 3, 2025 - Grace Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 1pm - NIU School of Music, Music Bldg, 550 Lucinda Ave, DeKalb, IL

Monday, September 1, 2025 - Radio Broadcast on WNIU Classical 90.5 - Encore

Songs and Dances - Friday July 25, 2025 - First Congregational UCC, Elgin, IL

Songs and Dances - Sunday, March 30, 2025 - Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, Racine, WI

Majestic Brass and Organ - November 17, 2024 - Journey of Hope United Methodist Church in Elgin, IL

Programs:

 “Songs and Dances”

This program brings together a vibrant collection of vocal-inspired works and rhythmic gems. The concert opens with the lighthearted yet ironic Waltz from Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite No. 2, setting a playful tone. Brahms’ Horn Songs (arr. Reynolds) follow, evoking themes of nature, love, and mystical celebration with lieder-like warmth. Alec Wilder’s Suite No. 1 for Horn, Bass Trombone, and Piano blends jazz idioms and classical form, moving from the stately Maestoso to the whimsical In a Jazz Manner and serene Berceuse. The program also features J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations (arr. for horn and bass trombone), showcasing intricate contrapuntal textures, and Gary Kulesha’s Sonata for Horn, Tuba, and Piano, a dynamic interplay of sonorous harmonies and rhythmic drive. Adding whimsy and cinematic allure, the trio performs Rossini’s Cat Duet, a nod to their feline-inspired name, and Morricone’s evocative Main Title and Love Theme from Cinema Paradiso. The concert closes with the timeless charm of Gershwin’s Someone to Watch Over Me. Join Trio de Chats Noirs for an unforgettable performance that celebrates the joy of music through song and dance.

“Majestic Brass and Organ”

This program highlights the grandeur of brass and organ, exploring works from the Baroque through Romantic eras. Liszt’s Hosannah! opens the concert with a spirited and uplifting anthem, setting the stage for Saint-Saëns' reverent Offertoire, a lyrical piece that balances beauty with introspective solemnity.

Mozart’s Laudate Dominum provides a serene, almost angelic moment, its simplicity underscoring its expressive power. Johann Immanuel Mueller’s Praeludium, Chorale, Variations and Fugue then explores the brass and organ’s versatility, shifting from the contemplative to the jubilant.

Returning to Saint-Saëns, Adagio and Andante offer meditative contrasts in their contemplative and lyrical lines, leading into Corelli’s baroque elegance with his Sonata in G Minor. Together, these works celebrate the rich and regal voices of brass and organ.

“Romantic and Modern Era Gems”

In this program, Trio de Chats Noirs presents a range of romanticism and modernity. Opening with Gillingham’s Divertimento for Horn, Tuba, and Piano, the concert embraces contemporary sounds and dynamic textures, setting an energizing tone.

Schubert’s Auf dem Strom, a heartfelt song of farewell originally for tenor, horn, and piano, reflects deep lyricism and emotional resonance. DiLorenzo’s Gemini offers an introspective dialogue between the instruments, contrasting with Bruch’s Eight Pieces, op. 83, which explores lush, interwoven melodies and harmonies. This program reveals the trio's expressive versatility, with a journey through heartfelt Romanticism and striking modern sounds.