A Man of Music

by Jennifer McGuffin

Subhead: Martinez inspires community In the 1962 classic musical, The Music Man, "bandleader" Professor Harold Hill swoops into town and finds a unique way to bring music to young and old alike in a small, Iowa community. While Jeordano (Pete) Martinez isn't doing the musical's Shipoopi dance or serenading librarians, his musical talents have indeed elevated the choral and cultural contributions of the young and not-so-young since he arrived in the city of Naperville in 1986.

Maestro Martinez is the conductor and musical director of the Naperville Community Chorus, and his talents will be enjoyed by the larger community this month. The Naperville Community Chorus will perform at the Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College (see box). This joyous and bright program combine's Vivaldi's Gloria and Bach's Magnificat, two well-known and inspiring favorites of the season. About ten different soloists will be featured, adding to the dimension and display of musical talent.

The foundation for the current chorus was laid back in the 19th century, when the rural community had what Martinez refers to as a "town and gown chorus" that practiced and performed in the facilities of the fledgling college.

Years later, there was a crescendo of interest in a community chorus shortly before the nation's bicentennial in 1976. A local realtor gathered a collection of singers to perform during patriotic celebrations, and that group has evolved into the chorus of today.

Maestro Martinez has led the chorus since the late 1980s and the group has blossomed under his direction.

"In 1987, there were about 40 members," he says. "There are 118 members now. In addition, we've gone from performing with only a piano to utilizing a full orchestra for a much richer, fuller sound."

He did his undergraduate work at Baylor and received a master's degree from Southern Illinois University, teaching at two other colleges before arriving in Naperville.

Martinez has reestablished the chorus' ties with North Central College, which has been an easy bridge for him to build. As a full professor of music at North Central, he directs the college's concert choir, serves as musical director for various productions, and teaches music history, literature and an opera workshop. The community chorus now practices and performs in the college's new, acoustically perfect Wentz Concert Hall, as well.

The Naperville resident also holds a leadership position with a church choir in Glen Ellyn. He is literally making music around the clock.

"It keeps you young," he says.

The current Naperville Community Chorus is a harmonious blend of musicians from all walks of life: doctors, stay-at-home moms, former music majors, chemists, and talented soloists alongside people who may not have sung in 20 years.

Martinez acknowledges that it can be a tenuous balance. "One of my challenges iswith the wide range of experience and abilities, to keep it interesting for everyone."

Leading the chorus has enriched him personally, as well. "It's really like a family. It is beyond the music," he says.

Members do not need to audition for the Naperville Community Chorus, they simply must have previous choral experience. The chorus accepts new members twice a year, in September and January. Practices are held most Monday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Wentz Concert Hall.

The group usually breaks for the summer, although plans are currently in the works for a third European summer tour. The choral program they will perform overseas is sure to include American spirituals and folk songs, along with several pieces of music in the native languages of the countries they visit.

But Martinez is most proud of the work the chorus does here at home, "filling the western suburbs with song" for the last three-and-a-half decades...and decades to come.

Naperville Community Chorus Concert "Gloria! Magnificat!"
December 5th at 8 p. m.
Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College
171 E. Chicago Avenue, Naperville
Tickets: $14–$17
For tickets: www.napervillechorus.org