Inspired Singers
Moving Music
Upcoming Performances/Events
July 11, 2025 – The Pale Blue Dot featuring the DuPage Festival Orchestra
- Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, Elmhurst University
September 5, 2026 – Government Issue by Dr. Michael Karasis
- Harper College
December 20, 2026 – An American Christmas
- Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, Elmhurst University
About Us
Elmhurst Choral Union is an auditioned volunteer chorus, singing with a professional orchestra and soloists, performing classical masterworks and great choral music of all eras. We are located in Elmhurst, IL, a western suburb of Chicago.
Elmhurst Choral Union is a member of the following organizations:
To view Elmhurst Choral Union’s Nondiscrimination & Accessibility and Anti-Harassment Policies, please click here.
Concert Video Clips
Brahms: A German Requiem performed on April 26, 2024
Video recording copyright Elmhurst Choral Union, 2024. Used with permission. Recorded by ElmhurstTV.
Our Next Performance
The Pale Blue Dot
Featuring the DuPage Festival Orchestra
Join conductor Scott Uddenberg and the DuPage Festival Orchestra for an inspiring evening of contemporary orchestral music featuring the works of composer, violinist, educator, and physician Dr. Michael J. Karasis.
This unique program presents three original compositions that explore humanity’s place in the universe, the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of music to tell stories that transcend words.
The evening’s featured work, The Pale Blue Dot, is inspired by humanity’s renewed exploration of space through NASA’s Artemis program and Carl Sagan’s iconic reflection on Earth as a tiny “pale blue dot” suspended in the vastness of the cosmos. Combining powerful orchestral music with narration, the work invites audiences to reflect on our shared home, our connection to one another, and our place in the immense universe we call home. Narration will be provided by Dr. Casey R. Watson, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Millikin University.
Also featured is Symphony No. 10: An American Salute to Ukraine, a moving tribute to the beauty, culture, and enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people. Written in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the symphony celebrates the rich traditions of a nation while acknowledging the challenges its people continue to face. Through moments of both power and perseverance, the work reflects resilience, hope, and the strength of the human spirit.
The program concludes with Violin Concerto No. 2, a captivating and technically demanding work featuring acclaimed violinist Isabella Lippi. Both haunting and beautiful, the concerto showcases the expressive range of the violin through soaring melodies, virtuosic passages, and deeply emotional musical storytelling.
Under the direction of Scott Uddenberg, the DuPage Festival Orchestra brings these compelling works to life in the beautiful live acoustics of Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel.
About the Conductor
Scott Uddenberg is an accomplished conductor, vocalist, educator, and arts leader in the Chicagoland area. He serves as Music Director at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Schaumburg and is the longtime Director of the Elmhurst Choral Union. A respected musical collaborator and advocate for the arts, Uddenberg also serves on the Board of Directors for the Grant Park Music Festival. Known for his
commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement, he has built a reputation for bringing musicians and audiences together through meaningful and inspiring performances.
About the Composer
Dr. Michael J. Karasis is a composer, violinist, educator, and practicing urologist based in Decatur, Illinois. In addition to his medical career, he serves on the faculty of Harper College and has dedicated much of his life to composing original works inspired by science, history, current events, and the human experience. His music combines intellectual curiosity with emotional depth, creating works that challenge, inspire, and connect with audiences.
Experience an evening of extraordinary music as The Pale Blue Dot brings together science, storytelling, and symphonic artistry in one unforgettable performance.
General Admission: $25 in advance | $30 at the door
Some Kind Words
“Excellent choir sound. Great diction and balance. Soloists were also excellent.” “Delightful music, great choir, excellent soloists.”
“Mastery of music, voice & presentation”
“This is the best way to begin the Christmas season!!!”
“Large works provide the musicians and the audiences with a sonic understanding and wisdom allied to beauty, relationships, and proportion that nothing else provides in quite the same way. Pieces from other times and places provide ‘living’ (music is live as no other art or artifact) insights into and learning about our sisters and brothers elsewhere.”
“We are fortunate to live in a community in which such an organization brings together diverse musical amateurs who, under the baton of a talented director, can realize some of the world’s greatest music. Anyone who has had anything to do with an arts organization knows that such longevity doesn’t happen by accident.”
“In Elmhurst! And it’s always great!”
“Soloists + chorus + orchestra = Fantastic!”
“A treat to the ears and spirit”
“Such a big and sophisticated sound from a volunteer group in a suburban community is very impressive, indeed.”
“Joining ECU has been one of the most important and rewarding parts of my life. Singing, as well as being a volunteer and a board member, has made me appreciate how much it takes to have a successful chorus, to have an excellent director, and especially lucky to be a part of ECU.”
“Outstanding professional quality of the singers and musicians”
“I have sung elsewhere, and there is no place like ECU.”