book a music group

Enhance your next event with special music

Community School of the Arts’ faculty and student performing ensembles are available for hire to perform at events such as weddings, receptions, parties, church services and conferences.

Learn more about our faculty and student ensembles for hire:

CSA STUDENT ENSEMBLES

Vivaldi Strings is an ensemble of 27 advanced string students in the Community School of the Arts under the direction of CSA faculty member Julie Bickel. Vivaldi Strings’ performance repertoire consists mostly of classical music, such as Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, Beethoven and Shostakovich, along with some lighter fare such as “Hoedown” from Copland’s Rodeo and “Orange Blossom Special”. The group has performed at many weddings, conferences, and special events as well as at the Epcot Center, Disneyland, Drury Lane Theater, and on tours to Paris, France; Quebec, Canada; Puerto Rico; and most recently in China. Vivaldi Strings recently opened for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra! Visit the Vivaldi Strings page for more information. Smaller groups can be arranged upon request. For booking inquiries, send an email to vivaldistrings@wheaton.edu.

Con Fuoco Violins is CSA's newest auditioned performing ensemble. Under the direction of CSA faculty member Sarah Lindquist, 11 advancing students from grade school through high school perform primarily classical music. Other repertoire can include Christmas favorites or a taste of other violin traditions. We will be performing as featured ensemble on CSA concerts and in the community this year. In light of venue size, we can arrange a smaller ensemble if necessary. For booking inquiries, send an email to csa@wheaton.edu.

Flute Ensemble is a chamber group comprised of advanced CSA flute students under the direction of CSA flute faculty member Anne Sullivan. The Flute Ensemble recently performed at the opening reception for the new rose garden at Cantigny Park.

Handbell Ensemble is a small group of advanced CSA students performing on handbells under the direction of CSA faculty member Emily Puntuzs. The Handbell Ensemble performs on three octaves of Malmark bells, and has performed at Symphony Center in Chicago, the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers’ Young Ringers’ Festival, and other community events.

CSA FACULTY

STRINGS
Sarah Lindquist received her violin and music education degree from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and often performs solo and in string ensembles for weddings, parties, church services, receptions, choral and orchestra concerts. She is the coordinator for duet, trio and quartet ensembles with fellow string faculty members Anita Arch, Emily Puntuzs, Julie Tehan, and Jeanne Johannesen.

Julie Bickel received her degrees in violin performance from the University of Notre Dame and Northern Illinois University, and is an experienced performer at weddings and receptions. She is also the director of CSA’s Vivaldi Strings ensemble and is able to organize small chamber ensembles of young students for performances.

Julieanne Tehan performs her cello at numerous venues. These include playing in symphonies, for chorales, recording for cds, playing in a quartet for a business luncheon, or for a wedding. She has many colleagues from the Wheaton College Conservatory and DePaul University with whom she often performs, which gives her flexibility. 

PIANO
Carol Kwak, a pianist and violinist, received her master's degree in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She is an experienced performer at weddings, receptions and corporate parties. Carol is able to provide solo music on both piano and violin, and organize chamber ensembles.

FLUTE
Anne Sullivan’s two flute CDs sell worldwide, both on cdbaby and her website.  Her music degrees are from Wheaton College and DePaul University. She coordinates flute and piano, or flute and guitar music for weddings, events and funerals.

CLARINET
Lacy Schroeder-Garbar, clarinetist, holds performance degrees from Southern Illinois University, Northwestern University, and Northern Illinois University, and performs regularly with the New Philharmonic Orchestra. Lacy is able to provide a woodwind trio or guitar duo for events, weddings, and receptions.

Interested in booking?

The process is simple. Send an email and specify the name of the musician(s) or group you wish to contact as well as the details of your event.

Important:
CSA faculty will respond to inquiries as quickly as possible. Inquiries without specified recipients can not be processed. The CSA office is not able to recommend performers or quote fees. Individual rates are determined by the performer.