Forgotten Christmas lists, baubles and tinsel put away, and the last glass of eggnog finished; Christmas continues for 12 more days. The 24th Epiphany Concert took place January 10, 2015 directed by Kim Scherrer at Resurrection Catholic Church outside of Woodstock.
The Epiphany Concert began as a way to recognize and celebrate the complete Christmas Season. Scherrer first appeared in the concert in 1996. Over the years, the concert grew organically to include an extended family of friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.
Each year Scherrer balances the children’s choir, the adult choir, and a mix of instruments including clarinet, flute, violin, piano, harp, and recorders. This year a woodwind quintet joined the concert, with trumpet music adapted for clarinets. Scherrer says, “I feels blessed to be given so many opportunities to work with so many different people.”
Scherrer grew up in Crystal Lake, along with her two younger brothers. She attended St. Thomas and she is a graduate of Crystal Lake Central, where she now teaches choir. She says she started out interested in pursuing a career in science, perhaps veterinary school, or genetics, but music seemed to be in her stars.
In 7th grade, Scherrer began playing the piano for the congregation at Resurrection. One familiar song, the Our Father, led to two, and before long she was leading the music at 8:00 A.M. Sunday service.
By her senior year, Scherrer’s high school extra-curricular activities included poms, madrigal, swing, choir, orchestra, and cheerleading. When her choir director became hospitalized, Scherrer took action. In order to keep her extra-curricular music activities alive, Scherrer took on the role of conductor and music teacher. That’s when she realized she was destined for a career in music.
Besides choir director at Resurrection and Crystal Lake Central, Scherrer teaches at the Encore Music Academy.
Scherrer says she thought she left her music career behind to raise her three children. “Since the day I left, I’ve been working non-stop in music. I’ve never been in the position where I’m looking for a job. Someone always calls me.”
Even as a child, Scherrer seemed ready to give more than expected. She remembers her kindergarten teacher scolding her for repeatedly putting more than herself in a self-portrait – a ray of sun, a bed of grass – compelled to do more. Her words of advice to our plugged in, socially connected world: “Don’t miss what’s happening right where you are, because you’re so busy keeping up with what’s going on where you aren’t.” Advice that could become a New Year’s resolution.