Music Programs

Adult Choir

• Open to all who are high school age or older. (You won't be asked to show proof of your age.)
• If you can carry a tune (match pitches), you're in. There is no audition. Just show up at rehearsals.
• Rehearsals are from 7-8:30 p.m. on Sunday evenings in the sanctuary.
• Sings during both Sunday services approximately once a month. (We do not rehearse in the evening when we have sung that morning in services.)
• We have a few outfits that we wear – usually involving black pants or skirts and some coordinating color shirts or blouses. But do not stay away if you think you don't have the proper attire. We want you there.
• To join, simply show up at a rehearsal (come a little early please).
• Learn more by talking to any chorus member or with our Director,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  (847-675-2557).

The LAF Choir

• Open to youth from 5th grade through High School. The LAF Choir sings at services two times a year.
• Rehearses from 6-6:50 for three or four Sundays prior to their singing in services. Choristers receive schedules via e-mail. Rehearsals are in the sanctuary.
• LAF Choir Motto:  We LAF.  We Love.  We Accept.  We have Fun.  We LAF.
• To join, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. via email or at 847-675-2557. Or show up early to the first rehearsal.

DUUC Players

• Adult instrumental ensemble. Have you enjoyed ensemble playing, or would you like to try? Join our group.
• All wind and string instruments are welcome. At least intermediate skills desirable.
• We choose music from classic and modern repertoires to match our instrumentation and the skills and interests of our players.
• We play to experience the joy of making good music together, and we share our music with the congregation as appropriate.
• To join, or to learn more about our group, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. via email or at (630) 857-3091.

yUUth Ensemble

• Open to all children who play an instrument
• Provides music at the December Holiday Music Service and once in the spring
• Rehearses between services on Sundays, about 5 times before a performance
• Directed by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  (630-759-1803).

yUUth Jazz

• Open to Youth who play brass, saxophone, drums, piano, guitar, bass guitar, bass.
• Provides music at the December Holiday Music Service and once in the spring.
• Rehearses between services on Sundays.
• Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. via email or at 630-462-0847 for more information.

Instrumentalists & Vocalists

• Guest instrumentalists and vocalists are invited to perform at Sunday services.
• Open to church members & visitors.
• Adults or children with performing experience.
  • Intermediate level
  • Advanced level
• Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Music Director, via email or at 630-665-6911 if interested

Music Committee

Our Mission Is To:

• Foster a sense of community through music.
• Foster the musical development of choristers, instrumentalists and members of the congregation.
• Create a continuum of musical development and involvement from childhood through adulthood.
• Open to anyone who has an interest in promoting our mission.
• Meets [usually] bi-monthly after the second service on the Sunday the Adult Choir sings.

Music

Music is a key component of our spiritual life at the church. Our Music Director Bonnie Brewster (extension 707) and Choir Director Vickie Hellyer (extension 710) work closely with the Minister and Sunday Services committee to provide music for services and other events.  To reach either Bonnie or Vickie, you can call the church at 630-505-9408, and leave a message on their extension.

Our Programs include:

• Adult Choir
• LAF (Youth) Choir
• DUUC Players
• yUUth Ensemble
• yUUth Jazz. 

Experienced instrumentalists and vocalists are also invited to perform at Sunday services. Those interested in having input in planning for future music programming are invited to join the Music Committee. 

Other ensembles which are on temporary hiatus include the Children's Chorus and Chimes Ensemble.

Come join us! Check the Newsletter and Calendar for performance and practice dates.

Bonnie Brewster, Music Director

Bonnie Brewster has been the pianist and music director of DUUC since 1987. Bonnie went to high school at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and received her music degree from Indiana University. Still living in her childhood home in Wheaton, she has a wonderful husband, Steve Smart, and three children. Natalie is a performance artist based in Tucson, Arizona; Kyle is a web designer in Chicago; and Chloe sings with the Anima Young Singers in Glen Ellyn.

Bonnie has taught piano at home for over 20 years, and is Immediate Past President of the Illinois State Music Teachers Association West Suburban chapter. She enjoys collaborating with instrumentalists and vocalists from the congregation to provide special music for services. The “theme” services done in collaboration with the choir have been a real treat—jazz and rock so far, with a folk service to come. Anyone interested in participating in the music programs is encouraged to get involved!

Vickie Hellyer, Adult & LAF Choir Director

Since Vickie Hellyer first came to DUUC as Choir Director in 1997, the Adult choir has grown under her leadership from a seven-member ensemble to 42 choristers. Vickie has conducted numerous other church choirs before coming to, and while working at, DUUC. Vickie received a Bachelor of Music degree with emphasis on Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois. She has sung and soloed in many professional choirs, and performed leading roles in musicals in professional and local theatres. She continues to take voice, theatre, and music classes and to attend vocal and choral conferences. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the American Choral Directors Association. Vickie has a part-time position at Northwestern University as a recruiter for HARP - an NIH-funded hearing research project. She also teaches voice at DUUC and in her home studio. Vickie lives in Skokie with her wonderful husband, Jon Siegel, and their 3 endlessly entertaining cats.