Palm Sunday Festival

Don't miss the 17th Annual Palm Sunday Interfaith Concert! Six weeks of ecumenical organ recitals culminate with a colossal finale choral concert when 85 singers, hand bells, brass, strings and clergy from eight area churches join together in music and prayer to celebrate the sorrow and joy of the Lenten season. What started in 1994 with a single organist has blossomed into a springtime tradition of breathtaking musical beauty. Event-founder Phyllis Connelly, a 50-year Dundee area resident, conceived the concerts as a way to address the growing shortage of organists. "My goal was to show kids that the organ isn't just for Sunday mornings." What resulted, however, was a vehicle for members of area churches to join together in song and prayer. Connelly confides that "One of the most rewarding aspects of this project is the fact that we are providing an opportunity for friends of different faiths to sit next to each other and pray and sing together -- whether in the choir or in the assembly." In fact, the assembly will be invited to sing along during two of the choir selections. In between, they will enjoy the presentation anthems by the choir and musicians, and readings presented by the participating clergy. Musicians and singers are primarily drawn from Dundee churches, including Bethlehem Lutheran, First Congregational Church, First United Methodist, Immanuel Lutheran, St. James Episcopal Church, and St. Catherine of Siena. Two Elgin churches also participate including First Presbyterian and St. Thomas More Catholic Church. A number of participants come from other area churches including Bethel Lutheran Church in Palatine and First Congregational Church, Huntley. When they heard about what we were doing, they wanted to be a part of it. Admission to the Palm Sunday afternoon hour-long concert and prayer service is free. An offering will be accepted to defray expenses and provide support for future Interfaith Music events. The event is 3:00PM on Sunday, April 17. A prelude of instrumental music will begin at 2:45PM. This year the program will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 845 West Main Street in West Dundee (60118) located on Route 72, just West of Route 31 (across from Spring Hill Mall). The Palm Sunday Festival is part of an on-going Dundee Area Lenten Recital Series which is enjoyed by audiences totaling over 1,500 people each year. These weekly concerts are hosted by several area churches and begin on Ash Wednesday. Programs are also offered each Thursday during Lent except for Holy Week.

Please note; we try to be as accurate as possible with our events but things are subject to change without notice. Check the listing and confirm before heading to an event.