The North Shore Weekend, September 2nd, 2023

“It

-Diana Gabaldon

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KASS ROGERS

10 party for marty Marty's Barn Party raises funds for Lake Forest's Equestrian Connections

12 above board

The Ten Schools Admission Organization is headed to town this fall for a private school showcase

LIFESTYLE & ARTS

14 fall forecast

A pair of Ukraine designers make edgy predictions for fall interior trends

16 retribution

A Liam Neeson action movie packs the thrills but none of the substance, or sense

John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

ADVERTISING @NSWEEKEND.COM

Jennifer Sturgeon

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

18 #hashtag

Winnetka artist Patricia Markos Dolan shares all that's trending in her world

20 material pursuits

From Louboutin boots and a limited edition Leica to a chair from another century, your weekend musts are here

22 sunday breakfast

Paul Von Hoff's "slide" show in Evanston, as a trombonist, will serve as a highlight at The Newberry Consort event on September 24

Michelle Crowe, Dustin O'Regan, Julia Paulman, Kemmie Ryan, Sherry Thomas, Megan Weisberg

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mitch Hurst, Bill McLean, Monica Kass Rogers

DESIGN

Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Chris Geimer ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART

Monica Kass Rogers

PHOTOGRAPHY

Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION

Cheyanne Lencioni ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ALL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO EDITORIAL@NSWEEKEND.COM

ONLINE NSWEEKEND.COM

BY MONICA KASS ROGERS THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Stories spill out of Kenilworth artist Itala Langmar in a free-flowing stream.

From her birthplace near Venice, Italy, more than 70 years ago, to the North Shore and back again, her animated tale reaches a celebratory peak this month with her inclusion in shows in both places—The 2023 Evanston + Vicinity Biennial, which opened at the Evanston Art Center last weekend (on view through October 1) and an international, juried art show at the Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello in Venice opening September 21.

A painter, mixed-media artist, and poet from early childhood, Itala says she has “always experienced colors and words as my ideals, my calling.” The works selected for both shows are the latest expression of this.

Her multi-layered mixed-media piece for the Biennial, “Elegy for Botticelli” is a muted abstraction of color blocks painted over and under a mesh screen, with the words of her poem of the same title woven throughout. A curving painted wand of wood mounted to the right of the piece is what she calls its epilogue—an element included in her paintings since July 2022. Her two paintings for the show in Venice—the blue-hued “Space Silence Reverberation” and yellow green “Embracing Temporal Splendor”—also merge poetry with painting. Translating nature, and the search for luminosity is a constant in the works, rendered in a style she calls Geometric Lyricism.

Born into a prosperous, but authoritarian Italian household, Itala lacked nothing in her education, learning to read and translate Latin, Greek, and French at the classical Lyceum, and receiving private tutoring in painting starting at age 6. “I had encouragement, leisure and everything provided for me,” she says.

But there were disappointments. Although she wanted to attend the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, she obeyed her father’s wishes to instead go the University of Architecture and Design there. She did finish the fiveyear degree, although architecture was not a good fit for Itala, who wanted only to write and paint. Still, it was there that she met her husband, Imre, who pursued his architecture practice in Chicago, allowing Itala to more happily focus on art and raising two sons in Kenilworth.

Throughout the decades, Itala enjoyed success with her paintings—including showings in New York, Chicago, and the North Shore, written up for her work in many publications, and included in “The Chicago Art Scene” (Crow Woods Publishing, 1998) a compendium featuring the work of 68 contemporary artists, from David Abed to Ed Paschke.

With her poetry, Itala diligently submitted to journals, compiled much of the work into two chapbooks, and was thrilled to be a

finalist in the 1999 Gwendolyn Brooks poetry competition. “Brooks really like my liked one of poems about an old, disheveled artist living in a cardboard box,” she laughs.

However, overcoming two personal tragedies in the late ‘90s would prove to be a dark time that took everything Itala had to transcend. She lost her husband to lung cancer, and then months later, one of her sons who was in his early ‘20s.

Writing and painting through the tragedies eventually led Itala to pursue two more degrees: a Master of Liberal Arts at the University of Chicago and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. While there, Itala became fascinated with the work of psychoanalyst Carl Jung, who used the mandala as a tool for self-discovery and self-realization. She began painting mandalas as part of her own recovery and used them when working with adults as an art therapist intern. The process, culminating in a show at Lloyd Shin Gallery in Northbrook, would prove to be a beautiful expression of self-healing.

Currently, Itala’s works are mixed-media paintings merging her experience of nature with her poetry. She paints in her upstairs studio, or in her garden, always with WFMT in the background, and she thinks and writes poetry wherever she goes.

Here is a recent excerpt from her piece, “The Lady Clothilde:”

The Lady Clothide’s transparent collection of bones is gracing the embroidered sheets of an impossible elegant bed. She is connected to the song of rotating Tenebrae, rotating around her in a silent farewell.

The Lady Clothilde invisible, almost not there, has heard her richiamo. She is ready to go…

“Art. Let me tell you about art,” sums Itala. “Art at its best helps illuminate things invisible and move the heart toward feelings of inner peace, generosity, and quiet strength. In my long life, that is what I have aimed for. It is what I have always been about.”

For more information about the Evanston + Vicinity Biennial, visit evanstonartcenter.org/ exhibitions/2023-evanston-vicinity-biennial-exhibition. For art inquiries, contact Itala Langmar at italav@aol.com.

(Above) Itala Langmar's "Elegy for Botticelli" piece in mixed media.

(Below) The Kenilworth artist and poet poses in her studio.

Photography by Monica Kass Rogers

Penthouse Interior

Expansive Terraces

PARTY FOR MARTY

A much-anticipated fundraiser for Equestrian Connection in Lake Forest returns on September 30.

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Up until his passing from cancer in 2007, Marty Domitrovich was a major supporter of Equestrian Connection, the Lake Forestbased organization that provides equineassisted therapy to adults and children with physical and emotional challenges.

Schnell says.

In addition to food and music, there will also be a silent and live auction featuring tickets to music concerts and sporting events, foodie chef experiences, and getaways at private vacation homes.

“It’s your chance to be a part of making a difference in the lives of hundreds of adults and children with special needs,” says Schnell. “This year’s party is especially

fers more than 13 programs, from art and massage therapy to job training and even birthday parties.

Led by clinically licensed occupational and physical therapists and a professional and experienced staff of clinicians and instructors, the Equestrian Connection team works tirelessly to meet its client needs.

“Our slogan, Best Days Happen Here, is more than a marketing slogan,” Schnell

trust, a program that helps people with balance-related issues, a non-mounted program for people with Alzheimer’s, and programs that help teach job skills to teens and adults and promote strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination.

Typically, about 500 guests attend Marty’s Barn Party, and Schnell says it’s a “barn” party that defies expectations.

“It's in a barn but anyone who's been

Diana Schnell, Equestrian Connection’s founder and executive director, says Domitrovich was dedicated to building awareness of the organization’s work in the community and to give back to those who helped him with his cancer battle, including the oncology nurses at Northwestern Medicine.

So much was Domitrovich’s commitment to Equestrian Connection that its annual fundraiser carries his legacy—Marty’s Barn Party. This year’s event, which raises nearly a third of the organization’s budget, will be held on September 30 and feature catering from local businesses with music by Danielle Bradbery.

“It's pretty exciting because our entertainer was winner of The Voice years ago and she just got nominated as Female Vocalist of the Year for the Country Music Awards,”

important amid the rising costs of everyday life and care. Demand for our services also continues to rise as families face new health issues.”

There’s an added benefit for attendees of this year’s event in the form of a $75,000 matching grant for Equestrian Connection’s therapy services and scholarships for needy families and clients.

“That’s exciting because that's our mission,” says Schnell. “The purpose of the party is to fund these families who can't afford it and we're getting more and more with the current state of the economy,”

Equestrian Connection’s program portfolio is designed to fill service gaps that exist in the special needs community today. In addition to providing hippotherapy and therapeutic riding therapy services, it of-

says. “It represents how Equestrian Connection clients, our clinical team. and the entire Equestrian Connection support staff respond after participating in or leading our outcomes-based programs.”

In addition to hippotherapy and therapeutic riding, programs also include equineassisted psychotherapy, a “Re-Connect” program that helps combat veterans regain

realizes it's as nice, if not nicer, than your typical chicken dinner fundraiser,” she says. “We have a great venue. We try to make it as high-end party as we can.”

Marty’s Barn Party will be held September 30 at Equestrian Connection in Lake Forest. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit equestrianconnection.org.

This year’s Marty’s Barn Party will feature live music from country music star Danielle Bradbery.

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ABOVE BOARD

The Ten Schools Admission Organization is headed to Chicago in September for two events that will showcase the best private schools in the Northeast.

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Parents on the North Shore and in Chicago can learn more about the top private boarding schools in the country by attending either of two events taking place in Lake Forest and Chicago. The first will be at Lake Forest Country Day School on September 17 and the second on September 18 at the Catherine Cook School in Chicago.

sylvania; The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut; The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey; The Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut; Phillips AcademyAndover in Andover, Massachusetts; Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire; St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire; and The Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut.

The events offer an opportunity for parents and students to talk to the admissions staff of the schools and learn more about the unique aspects each school offers.

“All TSAO schools believe in finding families and students who never would have thought boarding school would have been of interest or an option to them,” says Jeff Beaton, Chief Enrollment Manager at Choate Rosemary Hall. “We understand that parents or guardians allowing a student to attend boarding school and living away from home earlier than they would have thought takes incredible trust and openness.”

It’s TSAO’s goal to share the benefits of boarding school and how it can be a transformative experience for students who want more opportunities to engage in their academic and extracurricular life.

“We want students from different backgrounds and perspectives,” Beaton adds. “A student’s culture coming from the Midwest is very different than someone from New England, California, or Singapore and it is important for all of our schools to have the Midwest perspective in our communities.”

Most students from the Midwest do not know about boarding school or it is not something that is top of mind when thinking about high school opportunities. TSAO schools are places of difference—opinion, culture, background experience, Beaton says. Students from the Midwest bring a completely different perspective that is important when creating a community.

Each school that is part of TSAO offers students a unique experience. Choate is a forward thinking, innovative school that allows for its students to be their authentic selves in a community where they feel supported yet challenged to step outside their comfort zone. The school encourages students to bring their interests and passions, but they shouldn’t be defined solely on who they are as a 13- or 14-year-old.

The events are sponsored by the Ten Schools Admission Organization (TSAO), a consortium of private boarding schools in the northeast that holds events around the country to promote the value of a boarding school education and the benefits for high school students and those looking for a gap year of learning before they enroll in a college or university.

The organization says boarding school offers students an immersive, experience-based learning opportunity within a supportive and diverse community of students and teachers. It is a close-knit community of learners who study, play, and live together that is conducive to shaping forward thinking students who are better prepared for college and life beyond.

Each TSAO member school offers a wide range of experiences and traditions and each of them embody the highest standards of personal and academic excellence. As a group, TSAO offers access to comprehensive information about unique benefits of the boarding school.

The 10 schools TSAO represent include Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut; Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts; The Hill School in Pottstown, Penn-

“We want them to explore, make mistakes, have an open mind and growth mindset, and try things they would have never tried to truly understand their strengths, weaknesses, and interests as they head into the future,” says Beaton. “Choate wants to prepare its students not just for college or university but for life. Our goal is to instill true life-long learning.”

Amanda Bohnsack is Director of Admission at Deerfield Academy, an independent boarding school founded in 1797. The school’s student body includes 655 students from 36 states and 47 countries. Bohnsack says Deerfield and the other TSAO schools value the learning that is fostered on campus when students bring a wide variety of life experiences along with common values around education to the classroom.

“Students from the Midwest represent a wonderful part of our country and bring their own experiences, passions, and viewpoints to our campuses,” Bohnsack says. “We’ve had so many terrific families from the Chicago area who bring their incredible work ethic, humility, and curiosity to our campuses— that’s why we keep coming back.”

The Ten Schools Admission Organization events will be held on September 17 at 4 p.m. at Lake Forest Country Day School in Lake Forest, and September 18 at 7 p.m. at Catherine Cook School in Chicago. For more information and to register, visit tenschools.org.

Above: The campus of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut.

Above: Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

FALL FORECAST

EDITED BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

With offices in Dubai, Miami, London, Los Angeles, Kyiv, Warsaw, and Milan, the YODEZEEN design studio has 200 projects under its belt and is currently working on 300 others. Its founders, Artur Sharf and Artem Zverev, work with a team of architects and designers to bring their cutting-edge designs to commercial and residential projects that span the globe.

Natives of Ukraine, Sharf and Zverev say their passion is to combine elements that have never been combined before, and they work with a team of 60 architects and designers to carry out that vision for their customers. Their philosophy is to “create individual, aesthetically stunning solutions for customers by lightning-fast development of projects employing unique styles and architecture.”

They are masters at combining classic and contemporary art and at matching their clients’ passions—including favorite historical eras—to the spaces they design, regardless of architectural limitations.

For more information, visit yodezeen.com.

Here are some of the interior design trends these international taste makers are predicting for Fall 2023 and beyond:

Biophilic Design: Incorporate elements of nature into interior spaces, such as living walls, natural materials, and abundant greenery. Bring the outdoors inside and create a feeling of harmony.

Warm Earthy Tones: Shift towards warm and earthy color palettes, such as terra cotta, ochre, burnt orange, and deep greens, to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Curved Furniture: Add soft and rounded shapes to your furniture and decor, including curved sofas, chairs, and tables. This will add a touch of elegance and fluidity to every space in your home.

Maximalism: We expect to see a departure from minimalism—embrace bold shapes, vibrant colors, and eclectic mixtures of textures and styles to create a visually rich and layered interior.

Smart Home Integration: We live in the modern world; increase the integration of smart technology into your inte-

rior design. Features can include voice-controlled lighting, automated window treatments, and smart appliances.

Textured Walls: Experiment with textured wall treatments, including faux finishes, textured tiles, or sculptural panels. The depth and character will be sure to wow your guests.

Artisanal and Handcrafted Pieces: Focus on unique, one-of-a-kind pieces made by skilled artisans, including handcrafted furniture, ceramics, woven textiles, and bespoke lighting fixtures. This will also allow you to make your space feel like you, and nothing is more important than that!

Ukraine natives Artur Sharf and Artem Zverev, co-founders of the edgy YODEZEEN design atelier, predict the following trends in interior design for the cooler months ahead.

Recently completed projects by YODEZEEN design studio reflect the Ukraine designers' innovative and cutting-edge approach to combining disparate elements.

BY REX REED ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

RUNNING TIME: 90 MINUTES

RATING: 2 stars

Time for a career re-think, or at least a change of pace, for Liam Neeson. Once a powerful, appealing and versatile stage actor in both London and New York (I'll never forget his galvanizing portrayal of Oscar Wilde in The Judas Kiss on Broadway), he rocketed to movie stardom in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List . The rest, as they say on Hollywood Boulevard, is history, but now, at 71, he's been playing lockjawed stock characters in forgettable formulaic thrillers so long he can do it in his sleep. Which is exactly what he does

RETRIBUTION

Set in Berlin, the latest routine action film starring Liam Neeson is convoluted and confusing.

in Retribution , another routine action programmer—doubly forgettable, because he does the whole thing sitting down.

This time he's an investment banker in Berlin named Matt Turner who lives in a fabulous glass house with his wife and two teenage kids. They're all miserable. He's been doing whatever he does for a living (it's never clear) with such daily dedication that his wife Heather (Embeth Davidtz) is secretly planning a divorce, his arrogant son Zack (Jack Champion) regards him with total hostility, and his neurotic daughter Emily (Lilly Aspell) has lost all respect for his parental authority. Reluctantly driving them to school one morning in his lavishly expensive Mercedes SUV, he receives an anonymous call on a cell phone hidden under the driver's seat that rings "Row Row Row Your Boat Gently Down the Stream".

The psycho with the low registered, electronically altered voice on the phone informs Matt there's a bomb under the seat set to detonate if he or either of his two kids open the door or attempt to get out in

any way, then blows up another car to prove his threats are serious. The voice instructs him to contact his wife, tell her to extract 50,000 euros from his bank deposit box, give the money to a stranger in a blue suit, and walk away.

The plan backfires, Heather is arrested by Europol, the voice ups the ante to 200 million euros, and Matt is forced to proceed to meet his boss and business partner (Matthew Modine) whose orders are to take the money from an "emergency collateral escape fund" or die in another car explosion. Thoroughly baffled, Matt protests, but everything he says or does poses another risk to his children' lives.

Neeson displays nerves of steel and although he's nearing a nervous breakdown, he never breaks a sweat. Meanwhile, the movie grows more complex and convoluted with each scene, moving forward by the force of the questions it asks: Who belongs to the bomber voice? What did Matt do to deserve his retribution? How he can out of it and save his kids' lives without ever tak -

ing his hands off the steering wheel? The running time is padded with two obligatory car chases, various car bombings that kill other people, and assorted interferences by what looks like the entire Berlin police force.

The point finally arrives when you realize an initially interesting plot ceases to make much sense, the screenplay by Christopher Salmanpour is nothing more than a series of elaborate red herrings, and director Nimrod Antal has nothing to do but increase the noise level and blow up as much of downtown Berlin as legally possible.

The mass-murdering psycho turns out to be the film's biggest surprise, but by the time his identity is revealed as someone who could have accessed the euros himself, the motives behind his bombs lose their sense of reason and the movie turns into a feel-good saga about how Neeson's bravery regains his family's love, respect, and trust.

No divorce at last, just the need for a new agent.

The future of real estate is in the hands of the agent.

#HASHTAG

EDITED BY JULIA PAULMAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

Winnetka artist PATRICIA MARKOS DOLAN has been sharing her artistic excellence for more than a decade. This Greek-American painter thrives while creating authentic oil on canvas pieces that pulse with the rhythm of life. Each work reflects Dolan’s lifelong visits to the Aegean coast, relaying the sea’s compelling colors and the country’s culture. Dolan’s work has been part of group and solo exhibitions and can be found in well-respected private and corporate collections across the country—from New York to Palm Beach, Chicago to Washington, D.C., and as far afield as Greece and France. Each canvas reminds viewers of a Mark Rothko meets Monet work, delivering a message that is subtle yet strong to the eye. Dolan’s Pelagos collection will be on view throughout September at Winnetka’s Vivid Gallery. The opening reception will be held on September 8 and the show runs until September 30. Stop by to see the works in person and feel transported to the sea. Dolan puts down her paintbrush to share how she stays current in an art-filled world. For more information, visit patriciamdolan.com, and join Dolan in a journey towards the Aegean.

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

Time is precious so I am either in my studio, spending time with my family and friends, or listening to an inspirational podcast. I enjoy Magic Lessons by Elizabeth Gilbert which delivers a variety of inspirational perspectives through individual experiences, and Eckhart Tolle's Essential Teachings

It holds a message that sits with me: “Your entire life only happens in this moment. The present moment is life itself …" I also spend time listening to Medical Medium by Anthony William, a podcast exploring various approaches to healing and healthy living.

#ON MY MOBILE

Meditation is one of my key practices prior to working on a canvas and reflecting on the day. Before bed I find Eckhart Tolle’s Stillness Speaks quiets my mind and allows me to reach a deeper level of consciousness, a perfect transition into meditation. Acres of Diamonds is a classic read by Russell H. Conwell, “abundance is where we are, feel your ground. Put your blinders on.” And of course, a pad of paper and pencil to capture my thoughts.

#IN MY EARBUDS

Music transcends me! I love getting lost in Greek music especially as I push paint on canvas. The emotional inner-rhythmic tension taps into my subconscious to deliver the message in my work. Classical music also allows me to perform in a therapeutic manner with the intention of sound that takes form on canvas.

MATERIAL PURSUITS

This weekend’s curated luxury trends

HELLO KITTY

Boot weather is almost here and Maison Christian Louboutin’s Astrilarge Botta kneehigh model is bringing the drama and sophistication. Featuring animal print Pony Kitty in brown and black tones, delicately set on an architectural heel, its voluptuous lines are enhanced by a slender pointed toe and opulent crimson sole. Dressed up or dressed down, the look is stunning but understated with a distinctive femme fatale vibe. Available for $2,495 at us.christianlouboutin. com or Neiman Marcus.

VINTAGE LENS

The iconic Leica camera brand has been the gold standard in the world of photography for more than a century. Today, some of these now vintage, German cameras and lenses make it to the stage at the Leitz Photographica Auction. Last year, the auction celebrated its 20th anniversary with an exclusive special edition Leica. Limited to only 20 copies, the Leica M6 “Leitz Auction” set comes with a Leica M6 camera and the Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH lens, both in a glossy black paint finish with a custom-made leather strap and certificate of authenticity. Available now through Leica Camera Classics in Vienna for approximately $28,000. For more information, visit leica-camera.com.

ON THE HUNT

Another vintage classic is making a comeback. Carl Hansen & Søn recently reintroduced the BM1106 Huntsman Chair, resurrecting a 1950 design by Børge Mogensen. Uniting two distinct design expressions— simplicity and complexity—the chair exemplifies rugged elegance. Luxurious saddle leather is held by buckles and brackets in steel or brass, contrasted by a solid wood frame. The result is a chair that’s both comfortable and flexible, with the ability to adjust to a variety of sitting positions and a timeless design that will last for generations. Available for $4,785 at Design Within Reach, dwr.com.

BRING YOUR COLLECTIBLES FOR APPRAISAL

Potential Cash Offers On The Spot!

northshoreexchange.org

Gold Standard Auctions is partnering with the non-profit North Shore Exchange to invite clients to bring in their gold and silver coins and other collectibles for appraisal and potential cash offers. We will be paying the highest prices for these items.

We are interested in:

• Gold and Silver Coins

• Fine Art

• Fine Watches

A percentage of all sales will be donated to North Shore Exchange

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 10-4 North Shore Exchange 1100 Central Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER 8-9, 2023 10-4 North Shore Exchange

372 Hazel Avenue, Glencoe, IL 60022

• Fine Jewelry To

GOOD TO THE ’BONE

Professional trombonist and amateur wine reviewer Paul Von Hoff pours it on—as a booster of The Newberry Consort, for which he’ll perform at a North Shore church this month.

BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

Evanston resident and historical trombonist Paul Von Hoff has performed at a wide range of venues, from a spacious music hall in New York City to the cozy confines of a room at a local elementary school.

But if you think he’d wing it in front of fidg ety youngsters and take the concert in front of unmoving and appreciative adults much more seriously, think again.

“I treat all opportunities to play music the same, because I want to make every per formance special,” Von Hoff, 45, says. “The amount of attention I give to a musical presen tation never varies.

“And I still get a little nervous before I play the trombone, no matter the size of the audience or the ages of the audience members.”

A native of San Antonio and a 1996 Northwestern University graduate, Von Hoff will serve as a guest artist of The Newberry Consort on September 24 (4 p.m.) at a North Shore venue that is smaller than a city auditorium and bigger than an elementary school’s theater space—St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston. He and 12 other musi cians, including trombonist/The Newberry Consort Artistic Director Liza Malamut, will present “In the Castle of the Moon: The Music of Sophie Elisabeth, the Duchess of Bruns wick-Luneburg.”

Others scheduled to perform are singers, violinists, a gambist, a theorbist, and an organ ist.

“Many have to fly in, so we’ll rehearse for an intense week the week before, and I don’t want the preparation to last a second less,” says Von Hoff, adding all of the artists during the week will spend two three-hour sessions, daily, in a room at Roosevelt University’s Chicago Col lege of Performing, where he earned a Master of Music degree with a focus on orchestral studies.

Sophie Elisabeth (1613-1676) was a composer, poet, translator, arts patron, and im presario who transformed Lower Saxony into a thriving center for music and the humanities. The program features selections from more than a hundred surviving pieces, including strophic songs, instrumental sinfonias, dances, sacred concertos, and music she referred to as “song-ballets.”

The Newberry Consort—in its 37th season as a musical ensemble that brings together

Von Hoff says, referring to the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) in Europe. “But the audience will hear celebratory music, too, such as the duchess’s piece to mark her husband’s birthday. The first Golden Age of brass took place in the 16th and 17th centuries, when trombone music flourished. There’s loud trombone music and soft trombone music, the soft sounding super beautiful.

“The Newberry Consort events are narrative based, so concert attendees will get to feel the moments Sophie Elisabeth experienced, to step into another time,” he adds. “When the brass musicians go all out, it’ll be exciting, emotional. I’m hoping that the people, as they’re leaving the church after the concert, will talk about their favorite instrument and piece, all while feeling

Von Hoff handled a trombone for the first time at the age of 11, thinking it would be an easy instrument to play. He found out rather quickly

“It was the hardest instrument,” he recalls. “But, right away, I loved the sound and it was fun to learn. Music was taken seriously when I was a gradeschooler; we had band class every day. I later realized there was a huge world of music out there, deep and vast. There was so much to learn.

“I wanted to explore.”

In the summer before his

senior year at Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio, Von Hoff traveled north to attend a chamber music program held at what would become his undergrad home, Northwestern University.

Von Hoff taught music for three years in Nashville, Tennessee, while his wife, Carrie, attended law school at Vanderbilt University. She’s now serving as assistant VP, claims counsel manager at Zurich Insurance in Schaumburg. Paul and Carrie are ranked among the top 100 amateur wine reviewers in America on the online wine community Vivino.

They’re also the proud parents of three musicians—cellist Christopher, 17; violinist Chloe, 15; and harpsichordist Anna, 12.

Paul Von Hoff, a founding member of the modern brass quintet Gaudete Brass, has been an adjunct music professor at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, since 2008, the year before he bought a copy of a 1632 trombone that was made by a Swiss company.

Von Hoff found a teacher to help him understand the best way to approach the various challenges of playing the vintage brass.

“I remember thinking, when I started playing it, ‘Wow, this is a musical expression like I’d never felt before,’” says Von Hoff, the son of Arizonans Ann and Dan Von Hoff, a renowned oncologist who played the clarinet in high school. “It was like going from being in a family sedan for years to suddenly driving a sports car.”

Formed in 2004 and based in Evanston, Gaudete Brass has released four albums and given master classes at schools such as Juilliard and Eastman. It performs all over the U.S., with 10 more concerts scheduled for 2023.

It has also been active with the Evanston In-School Music Association (EISMA), a nonprofit arts and education organization that inspires elementary and middle school students.

Gaudete once enthralled schoolchildren at 29 concerts in a 30-day stretch.

“I’m constantly learning from Gaudete members Scott Tegge (tuba) and Bill Baxtresser (trumpet),” Von Hoff says. “And none of us hesitates to point out something that isn’t working. In music, there’s always more to learn—I love that. I will never stop trying to get better as a trombonist. I will always challenge myself.

“I find challenges fun.”

For more information about Paul Von Hoff, visit paulvonhoff.com. For more information about The Newberry Consort, and to purchase tickets for the concert “In the Castle of the Moon” and other performances, visit newberryconsort.org.

I’m hoping that the people, as they’re leaving the church after the concert, will talk about their favorite instrument and piece, all while feeling refreshed and energized.

Paul Von Hoff