“Voices in Harmony” (VIH) invited the public to sing along with their performance on December 14, 2014, at the Raue Center for the Performing Arts. Handel’s Messiah was first performed April 13, 1742 and is a Christmas tradition for many Christians. During his lifetime, Handel donated the proceeds from his concerts to various charities. In that spirit, VIH gave participants and listeners a chance to contribute to “Public Action to Deliver Shelter” (PADS.)

VIH is a non-profit organization founded 28 years ago. Steve Szalaj (shel’ly,) Founding Artistic Director conducted the choir, while Dr. Paige Lush conducted audience participants.

VIH started as part of Crystal Lake’s 4th of July Gala in 1986. Soon the group grew to a dedicated choral group extending beyond the Crystal Lake area and performing concerts at the Raeu throughout the year. The group still performs free concerts in the lake band shell on the Tuesday before the 4th of July.

Szalaj grew up in South Chicago in the same community as his father, living just a block from his grandparents. He even had the same 4th grade teacher as his father did. That sense of stability gave him the confidence to follow a path in music; a path that was sometimes unclear, but always one he knew he had to follow.

Szalaj was involved in his school chorus, church choir, and hand-bells, but he also swam on the swim team, and worked on the school yearbook. He had enough technical affinity to be recommended for a computer conference at University of Illinois. That was back in the days when computers were emerging technology and one computer filled a room.

Szalaj taught vocal music at the college and middle schools level. He particularly enjoyed the middle school children, where he garnered powerful rewards for teaching. “There is more opportunity to have a long-term impact than at any other age,” he explains.
Szalaj holds a master’s decree in Choral Conducting and did extensive post-graduate studies in VoiceCare. He learned how mechanics of the voice, brain chemistry, and body mechanics work together when we learn music. This led him to a practical approach to teaching people to use their voice for a lifetime of singing.

Besides teaching and directing VIH, Szalaj directs a group of special needs singers, “Encore! A Joyful Noise.” “Encore!” participants sign up through NISRA, and perform one concert annually.

VIH first performed “Sing-Along Messiah” in 2009. Crystal Lake native and professional soprano, Kirsten Leslie takes a break each year from her acting and world tours to join VIH for a sentimental reunion with her choral roots.

Szalaj is a firm believer in the adage, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Although sometimes unsure where his life-path was leading, he was always drawn to music. Music opened doors for him. Looking back, he can see God’s hand in all of it. Beyond his retirement, he continues to follow his love. “What I do is very much tied to my faith and the spirit of Christ living in me.” What better way to demonstrate his belief than a “Sing-Along Messiah.”