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Youth orchestra helps provide a festive Independence Day
Lincolnwood 7/4/11 The first violins, including 13 year old Esther Yim (left) of Linconwood, play during the concert, " A Grand Old Flag" at Proesel Park with the Lincolnwood Youth Strings. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
What are your Fourth of July plans?
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Updated: July 29, 2012 4:43PM
Lincolnwood Youth Strings, a seasonal orchestra made up of a group of young people from Lincolnwood and surrounding communities, will bring out the patriotic spirit just in time for the Fourth of July with a holiday concert Wednesday in Proesel Park.
The annual Independence Day performance kicks off at 10:30 a.m. July 4 at the park at Morse and Kostner avenues. It will feature patriotic songs in tribute to the men and women in the U.S. armed forces performed by young musicians who range in age from third grade through college.
Each summer in early June, after school lets out, the group begins rehearsing twice a week for two hours to prepare for the annual concert in the park.
Led by orchestra director Carol Janossy, Lincolnwood Youth Strings was established in 1999 as a small group of young music enthusiasts from Lincolnwood and has since grown to include about 40 members from surrounding communities including Evanston, Skokie and Libertyville.
“They are a group of very committed musicians,” Janossy said. “One beautiful thing about the group is that they start at a young age, and many of them come back from college and help mentor the little ones and set a great example for them.”
Two years ago the children in Lincolnwood Youth Strings got together for a patriotic performance that was recorded on DVD and sent to Janossy’s son, David, who was serving in Afghanistan. To show his gratitude, Janossy’s son brought back the American flag from his mission overseas and donated it to the orchestra.
The flag will be displayed during Wednesday’s concert.
Sponsored by the Human Relations Commission, concert-goers are encouraged to participate in the show’s sing-a-long.
“The sing-a-long is the best part because that’s what really makes it a community event,” Janossy said. “Since it’s early in the morning, it’s a great activity to bring us all together and get us all going to kick off the Fourth of July.”
Refreshments including fresh fruit, popcorn and water will be served at no charge.
Lincolnwood Police Sgt. Mark Weidner said he hopes residents and others attend the concert, “because this is a free event. It should last about an hour and a half, and then everyone is free to enjoy the rest of the day.”
In the past the village of Lincolnwood has not traditionally held fireworks displays or a Fourth of July parade.
