Friends and Fans -
Many thanks to all who came out and made this year's Christmas concert series a success! It was such a joy to see so many familiar faces as well as many new ones too. Christmas is a wonderful time of year, a time for family and friends and special occcasions. Thank you for making us apart of your Holiday Season.
I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Wishing you all the best.
Sarah Van Drunen
Sarah Van Drunen's vocal capabilities have been described as beautifully pure, clear as a bell & classic.
Sarah's songs, written and arranged by composers/songwriters such as Phillip Keveren, Steve Siler & Scott Krippayne, have inspired Sarah in her ministry of faith. Stylistically “inspirational”, Van Drunen has brought new life to classic hymns and songs of hope. Sarah's heritage is Native American, she is the youngest of three siblings and married to her high school sweetheart, Jed Van Drunen.
Sarah began her music education with the Suzuki Method on the violin at age 3. Adding the piano and flute during middle school. Sarah grew up singing and performing in churches and semi-professional venues all over the Chicagoland area. During high school she began to concentrate more on her singing. Her singing earned her scholarships to attend Anderson University in Anderson, IN and Roosevelt University's Chicago Music Conservatory, in Chicago, IL.
In 2005 Sarah attended Gospel Music Association's, Music in the Rockies. It was here that she met key individuals who steered her towards obtaining a producer that was right for her style of singing. Van Drunen signed on with producer, Kent Hooper, of House of Big Recording, in Franklin,Tennessee shortly after Estes Park for her debut project and again in 2009 for her sophomore project, " All I Am ".
As Sarah continues to establish herself as an independent Christian artist she takes pride and enjoys working on all aspects of her music ministry, from arranging her own music, to designing the advertising and promotional material, to production of several concerts each year. Sarah's goal is to provide innovative worship for young and old alike, through songs, stories and laughter.
Christmas concert 2007 - Cottage Grove Church, South Holland IL
Christmas concert 2009- Munster Auditorium, Munster IN
Dec. 2, 2011 7:00p An Evening of Traditional
Christmas Cheer _
Living Springs Community Church
19051 S. Halsted Street
Glenwood, Illinois
Dec. 3, 2011 7:00p An Evening of Traditional
Clarence P. Schwarz Masonic Lodge
6910 W. Grand Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
Dec. 9, 2011 7:00p An Evening of Traditional
Westchester UCC
1840 Westchester Blvd.
Westchester, Illinois
Dec. 11, 2011 8:15a Calvary Church (Special Music)
9:30a 16100 S. 104th Avenue
11:00a Orland Park, Illinois
Dec. 16, 2011 7:00p An Evening of Traditional
Munster CRC
214 Ridge Road
Munster, IN
Sarah Van Drunen Full-Length CD
Sarah's first full-length album with producer, Kent Hooper, House of Big and music arranger, Phillip Keveren. (2007)
$10
"All I Am" CD
Sarah's second album project with producer, Kent Hooper, House of Big and music arranger, Phillip Keveren. (Released Dec. 2009)
CHECKOUT
In December join Sarah along with several other musicians for a holiday spectacular that is sure to put you in a Christmas spirit! Sarah has been presenting a Christmas concert series in the Chicagoland area and beyond for the past 7 years. Each year's concert includes festive arrangements of Christmas carols and songs along with sharing the special message of Christmas. The Christmas concerts also includes a chamber band of 12 instrumentalists, stage lighting and special effects. Concerts are suitable for all ages and include Christmas cookies and refreshments after the show!
Tickets are sold in advance and at the door for each concert, however, advance ticket prices are the best deal!
Call 1-888-897-SING for further information or to reserve your tickets today.
CONCERT DATES & LOCATIONS
MEET THE BAND
- 2011 CHRISTMAS CONCERT DATES -
Friday, Dec. 2nd at 7:00pm - Living Springs Community Church
(19051 S. Halsted St., Glenwood, IL)
Saturday, Dec. 3rd at 7:00pm - Charles P. Schwarz Masonic Lodge
(6910 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL)
Friday, Dec. 9th at 7:00pm - Westchester Community Church
(1840 Westchester Blvd., Westchester, IL)
Sunday, Dec. 11th - Calvary Church _ 8:15am, 9:45am & 11:15am
(16100 104th Ave., Orland Park, IL)
Friday, Dec. 16th at 7:00pm - Munster CRC
(214 Ridge Road, Munster, IN)
- Advance Ticket Prices -
Adults - $12.00
Children 12 & Under - $5.00
Family Ticket Package - (2 Adults & Unlimited Kids!) - $30.00
(Tickets at the door are Adults - $15.00 & Children - $10.00)
Order Tickets at 1-888-897-SING
Rosa Houtsma grew up in South Holland, IL, and has been singing solos in churches since her early teens. During her high school years at Illiana, she sang in several choirs and participated in musicals including The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Les Miserables and Oklahoma. Rosa graduated from Dordt College in May of 2008 with a Business Administration degree, double majoring in Accounting and Finance. She now is employed as a Senior Accountant at Swartz, Retson & Co., a public accounting firm in Merrillville, IN. This is her 4th year singing background vocals with Sarah Van Drunen.
Carol Beans began piano the summer before fourth grade which was many moon ago... She thanks her mother for getting her started and paying for all those music lessons and books. Carol gained experience as an accompanist through high school and has served as a church musician for almost four decades. She recently retired from 30+ years of teaching and change is in the air for her. As if the holidays aren't already crazy enough, Carol and her family are busy making arrangements to move to Colorado right after Christmas. This will be her third year playing with Sarah and the band. She enjoys being part of this fun group of musicians
Zachary Blink is 21 years old. He has been drumming since he can remember. He has also picked up several other instruments over the years, but drumming remains his forte. He grew up in South Holland, IL as the 2nd oldest of four. Zack attended Illiana Christian High School and graduated in 2008. He spent time studying percussion performance at the DePaul University School of Music. He lives in Hammond, IN. He is currently working on an album as a solo artist.
Violinist, Elena Johnson lives in South Holland, Illinois, where she works as a teacher in Calvin Christian School's Extended Care program. She began her adventures with the violin as a seven year old, and her journey has included participating in Western Illinois University's orchestra, joining church worship teams, providing music for weddings, and guiding her violin students through their own explorations of this wonderful (and sometimes infuriating) instrument. She loves music's ability to penetrate barriers and touch hearts, inviting us to draw near to God and each other.
This is Bob Hall's 5th year accompanying Sarah on guitar. He has a great love for music and is active in his Praise Band at Suburban Bible Church as well as in other musical collaborations. He has recorded an instrumental guitar CD entitled October Sunset which is available for purchase at this concert. Bob has been married to Trish for 28 years and has 3 children: Bobby, Katie & Jackson. He is happy and proud to be a part of tonight's ensemble.
Tim Boer grew up in South Holland, IL and currently lives in Dyer, IN with his wife, Sarah, and four young children, James (8), Levi (6), Selah Mae (3), and Hannah Kae (21 months). Tim earned his CPA credentials in 2005 and now works for John R. Kamp, P.C. in Schererville. He has always enjoyed singing and appreciates the opportunity to participate in Sarah's concerts this year.
MORE MEET THE BAND
Jessica Naughton was born and raised in a very musical family in Northwest, Indiana. She started her music career at the young age of six by learning to play the piano, then started playing flute in 5th grade and the french horn her sophomore year in high school. She also participated in choir from 5th-12th grades. Jessica spent a year on tour with Encounter Revival Ministires, where she sang in a choir with 24 other college aged singers. During that time Encounter Revival Ministries traveled to Zambia, Africa and spent three weeks ministering to the people there. Jessica just recently got married and is now expecting her first child in July.
Lisa DeYoung Triemstra grew up in a home where music was part of life, as both a requirement and a family tradition. At age 4 she performed her first vocal solo in a local music production and shortly after began piano lessons with her great aunt Ruth. At age 10, she and her siblings were give the option of continuing piano or choosing another instrument. She chose the flute and fell in love with it from the start. Over the years, she has studied music both at school and with private lessons. (vocal, piano, organ and flute.) Today she continues performing and worshiping both vocally and on flute for her church, Faith Church of Dyer, in addition to the occasional wedding or special event. Lisa feels she was blessed to be raised in a home where both the love of God and the love of music were such an intregal part of life.
Sharon has played cello for Sarah*s Christmas concerts for several years. She says each season is more fun than the last as the group grows together as a musical ensemble. Sharon grew up in a family where music was always present and began playing the cello as part of a grade school music program. Two sisters played strings as well (violin and viola), so they had a family trio with their father at the piano. Sharon played in orchestras in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and then played in several ensembles at Trinity Christian College, Palos Height*s, IL. After settling in Indiana (first Highland, then Dyer, and now St. John), she has continued to play for Church services, cantatas, oratorios, and musicals.
Karen Hurrell, synthesizer: Karen is new to the band this year. She began private piano lessons at age 6, attended a high school for the performing arts as a vocal music major and minored in music in college. She has worked as a church musician for many years in addition to teaching piano and working full time in the field of higher education financial aid. She is thrilled to take part in Sarah's beautiful Christmas concerts!
Sarah Van Drunen provides innovative worship for young and old alike through songs, stories, and laughter.
©Sarah Van Drunen Music 2006-2011
