Ascension Festival of Music 2025 - 2026

Ascension is proud to host and present a wonderful series of concerts.

Unless otherwise noted, concerts are at 4:00 pm.

Mark Dahl

november 2, 2025: hymns of the saints

From a list of favorite hymns provided by members of the congregation of Ascension Lutheran, Music Director, Dan McDaniel, Organist, will be joined by friends Mark Dahl, Saxophone, and soprano Kathryn Kamp for this concert of well-loved hymns. Mark is one of Chicago’s outstanding jazz musicians and educators. He is director of bands at LTHS and his LT Jazz Band has been featured at many festivals and conventions representing the best in HS Jazz Bands. Kathryn Kamp’s beautiful voice has been part of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Chicago Acapella, and will be heard with Waveform in their May Concert at Ascension.

february 8, 2026: horn and flute in concert

Emma Gerstein is second flute of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra appointed to the post in 2017 by Music Director Riccardo Muti. Previously she served as Principal Flute of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in New Zealand. A native of Chicago’s Hyde Park, she studied at the Manhattan School of Music and Indiana University. Gerstein teaches at Roosevelt University.

Alexander Love is an Australian Horn player living and working in Chicago. He was formerly guest principal Horn with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony. He is Adjunct Professor at DePaul School of Music and is a member of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.

march 22, 2026: handbell concert

The handbell duo of Larry and Carla Sue have been called “West Michigan’s smallest handbell choir!” They both began playing handbells in 1987 – Larry in California and Carla in England. A handbell festival in Michigan brought them together and they married in 2012. This amazing duo perform with each ringer playing 4, 6, or even 8 handbells. Their program consists of a wide selection of hymns, folk songs, and classical compositions. Larry is a much-published handbell composer/arranger and arranges all of their repertoire. Ringers from Ascension and other local churches will join the Duo for a grand ringing finale!

may 17, 2026: waveform in concert

Fresh sounds from the Windy City, Chicago’s newest vocal group “Waveform”, under the direction of composer/arranger Paul Langford, brings incredible artistry and skill to diverse repertoire of choral music. Featuring the city’s top talent and most experienced vocal artists, the 10-voice group performs a cappella and/or with rhythm section, presenting a wide range of Pop, folks songs, gorgeous ballads and seasonal favorites. Our Ascension Concert Series is excited to end our season with our first “POPS” concert. This is a concert not to be missed by those who enjoy choral music.

Email Ascensionmusic400@icloud.com to reserve your seat!