The art world is converging on the Tri-Cities and Wayne this week, including a WTTW Channel 11 profile of the St. Charles Singers.

The acclaimed choral ensemble will be featured on the TV program “Arts Across Illinois” at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and again at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16.

Filming of the choir in action was done at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, home of the ensemble, said member Jennifer Hunt Kesner, whose brother, Jeff Hunt, artistic director, was interviewed at the Town House Cafe.

“We did ‘Simple Gifts’ for the profile,” she said, noting the song performed by the Singers is part of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s recent compact disc of works by Aaron Copland released on the Naxos label.
 
Kesner said the choir also was filmed at the pavilion at Pottawatomie Park.

“We went on the St. Charles Belle, and the cameraman was in the tower of the pavilion as we were on the river going by,” she said.

The ensemble kicks off its 25th season Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, with “Candlelight Carols” concerts featuring special guest Michelle Areyzaga. For details, visit www.stcharlessingers.com. The stellar program sells out quickly.

Noted author to appear

Julia Glass, recipient of the 2002 National Book Award for Fiction, will sign copies and read from her new novel, “I See You Everywhere,” at Town House Books and Cafe, 105 N. Second Ave., St. Charles.

The author will greet people and sign books in the Garden Room of Town House from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. The reception is free.

Glass also has been awarded three Nelson Algren Fiction Awards and the Tobias Wolff Award for her first novel, “Three Junes.”

For more information, call (630) 584-8600.

Avalon Quartet to play

The Little Home Church by the Wayside in Wayne and the Wayne Historical Preservation Society present their fourth annual concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, featuring the Avalon String Quartet.

Hailed as “one of the most exciting young string quartets in America” (The Washington Post), Avalon has earned international acclaim for its bold musicality and passionate intensity.

The quartet is in residence at Northern Illinois University, a position formerly occupied by the distinguished Vermeer Quartet.

The concert will be presented in the church, 32W128 Army Trail Road. Admission is $30, with limited seating.

For tickets, call Carol Berger at (630) 584-7088 or e-mail armbrust@ameritech.net. Dinner with the quartet at the Dunham Woods Riding Club afterwards is available at $30 per person.

Proceeds benefit the church’s Music Fund and the Wayne Historical Preservation Society.