Welcome to St. Matthew's Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Messiah!
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St. Matthew invites you to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas as we join to sing the Christmas portionof G.F. Handel’s
classic oratorio: The Messiah. Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025 Time: 2:00pm Location: St. Matthew Lutheran Church 24500 N. Old McHenry Road Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047 (see map below) This is a free event! Click here to RSVP. Please bring an unexpired non-perishable food item to donate to the COOL Food Pantry - a Lutheran mission for families in need. There will be a free will offering. Please give generously! There will be fellowship, cookies, and refreshments available after the performance. The annual St. Matthew Women's Guild Christmas Cookie Bake Sale will also be open after the performance! |
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Conductor: Joel Jamison
This is Joel’s second appearance as our conductor. Joel is a graduate of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music with a Bachelors in Music Performance and Music Composition. An accomplished pianist, Joel has also conducted several local choruses and glee clubs. He is currently attending the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music working towards a Masters Degree. Welcome back, Joel!
This is Joel’s second appearance as our conductor. Joel is a graduate of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music with a Bachelors in Music Performance and Music Composition. An accomplished pianist, Joel has also conducted several local choruses and glee clubs. He is currently attending the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music working towards a Masters Degree. Welcome back, Joel!
Soprano: Diana Monacelli
Emerging opera singer Diana Monacelli returns as our Soprano soloist. She has been enchanting audiences with her warm, resonant voice and captivating performances. Training under Dr. Viktoria Vizin, she has made thrilling debuts as Despina in Cosi fan tutte in Salzburg Austria and Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Windy City Opera Fest. Recently, this November 2024 she performed the role of Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel, with Sinfonietta Bel Canto. Alongside her performance career, Diana teaches at various institutions sharing her knowledge and passion for music. Welcome back, Diana!
Emerging opera singer Diana Monacelli returns as our Soprano soloist. She has been enchanting audiences with her warm, resonant voice and captivating performances. Training under Dr. Viktoria Vizin, she has made thrilling debuts as Despina in Cosi fan tutte in Salzburg Austria and Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Windy City Opera Fest. Recently, this November 2024 she performed the role of Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel, with Sinfonietta Bel Canto. Alongside her performance career, Diana teaches at various institutions sharing her knowledge and passion for music. Welcome back, Diana!
Alto: Emma Ware
Emma Ware, returning as our Alto soloist, is the Choir Director at the First Presbyterian Church in Glen Ellyn , Illinois. A graduate of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music with a Bachelors of Music in Music Composition and Theater, she has extensive experience in choral and solo performances with the Wheaton College Women’s Chorale, the Con Vivium Vocal Ensemble and as an alto soloist with the WCCC Messiah Project. Welcome back, Emma!
Emma Ware, returning as our Alto soloist, is the Choir Director at the First Presbyterian Church in Glen Ellyn , Illinois. A graduate of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music with a Bachelors of Music in Music Composition and Theater, she has extensive experience in choral and solo performances with the Wheaton College Women’s Chorale, the Con Vivium Vocal Ensemble and as an alto soloist with the WCCC Messiah Project. Welcome back, Emma!
Tenor: Michael Olson
Michael Olson is a Canadian-American tenor, conductor, and educator currently pursuing a Master of Sacred Music degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Notre Dame. He previously studied music and business at Wheaton College and biblical studies at the Free Lutheran Bible College. Recent singing engagements include a choral fellowship at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, hosted by the Yale School of Music, and solo work within a touring, semi-staged production of Messiah based at Wheaton College. So glad you could join us, Michael!
Michael Olson is a Canadian-American tenor, conductor, and educator currently pursuing a Master of Sacred Music degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Notre Dame. He previously studied music and business at Wheaton College and biblical studies at the Free Lutheran Bible College. Recent singing engagements include a choral fellowship at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, hosted by the Yale School of Music, and solo work within a touring, semi-staged production of Messiah based at Wheaton College. So glad you could join us, Michael!
Baritone: Matthew Pacheco
Our baritone, Matthew Pacheco, is from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a graduate of Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and is currently studying voice Performance at Indiana University. He has experience in many operatic and classical music genres and recently performed in Dvořák’s Mass in D Major in Indiana University’s University Chorale. When not performing, Matthew enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, playing games and reading. Welcome, Matthew!
Our baritone, Matthew Pacheco, is from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a graduate of Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and is currently studying voice Performance at Indiana University. He has experience in many operatic and classical music genres and recently performed in Dvořák’s Mass in D Major in Indiana University’s University Chorale. When not performing, Matthew enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, playing games and reading. Welcome, Matthew!
Organist: Michael Gagne
Michael Gagne, Director of Classic Music here at St. Matthew, returns as our organ accompanist. Michael holds a B.A. Degree in Music from North Park University in Chicago and joined the St. Matthew Lutheran Church music ministry in 2014. His keyboard playing enhances the churches classic worship services. He also performs concerts and leads master classes in some of the most famous churches and cathedrals in the U.S., most notably, the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago - which has the largest pipe organ in the Midwest. He is a member of the American Organist Guild.
Michael Gagne, Director of Classic Music here at St. Matthew, returns as our organ accompanist. Michael holds a B.A. Degree in Music from North Park University in Chicago and joined the St. Matthew Lutheran Church music ministry in 2014. His keyboard playing enhances the churches classic worship services. He also performs concerts and leads master classes in some of the most famous churches and cathedrals in the U.S., most notably, the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago - which has the largest pipe organ in the Midwest. He is a member of the American Organist Guild.
Pianist: Mark Edwards
Mark Edwards, our piano accompanist, is an organist of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles. He is a graduate of Eastman School of Music and Indiana University, and has served on the piano faculties of Augustana College (SD), Carthage College, and Milwaukee Area Technical College. He maintains a studio as an independent teacher of piano, organ, and harpsichord and has served as a pianist and vocalist with the U.S. Air Force Band. Mark and his wife, Karen, perform as a piano duo and have released two CDs. This is Mark’s third year of accompanying our DIY Messiah. Welcome back, Mark!
Mark Edwards, our piano accompanist, is an organist of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles. He is a graduate of Eastman School of Music and Indiana University, and has served on the piano faculties of Augustana College (SD), Carthage College, and Milwaukee Area Technical College. He maintains a studio as an independent teacher of piano, organ, and harpsichord and has served as a pianist and vocalist with the U.S. Air Force Band. Mark and his wife, Karen, perform as a piano duo and have released two CDs. This is Mark’s third year of accompanying our DIY Messiah. Welcome back, Mark!
You!
The audience will sing the choruses under Ms. Simmon's direction. If you don't wish to sing, you are welcome to come and just listen to the beautiful performance!
The audience will sing the choruses under Ms. Simmon's direction. If you don't wish to sing, you are welcome to come and just listen to the beautiful performance!
