St. Charles woman has lifetime of connecting through music
By BRITTANY ADAMS – editorial@kcchronicle.com
ST. CHARLES – Last weekend, Elgin OPERA hosted the finals for its third annual vocal competition. Twenty-two hopefuls travelled to Elgin Academy’s Kimball Street Theatre to compete for the honor and prize money. That Saturday, singers took turns in the spotlight before a panel of four judges, each performing a song for evaluation.
Throughout the competition, the one constant onstage was Rosemary Schroeder of St. Charles, a concert pianist and soprano. Schroeder, who has judged in previous years, was the accompanist for the first two divisions, which consisted of youth.
“It’s a thrill for me to be involved with young singers,” said Schroeder. “I don’t find there’s much opportunity for [them].”
Schroeder has been involved with music from a young age. The daughter of amateur musicians, Schroeder recalls having music as a staple in her childhood.
“I remember we entertained ourselves with neighbors and family at social events," she said, "everyone singing and playing their instruments."
In addition to potluck performances, she also attended various concerts around her native Elmhurst. At age 5, she began taking piano lessons, first playing on a cardboard keyboard, and later on the actual instrument when it became affordable. She gave her first piano concert when she was 7; at 8, she performed her first solo.
Schroeder went on to receive scholarships to study music at various schools, including Julliard and Eastman. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from DePaul University and Northern Illinois University, respectively, and has also been honored with a fellowship from Northwestern University Graduate School.
After her formal education, Schroeder pursued music both professionally and as a volunteer. She taught in schools, played in church, worked with various choirs, and has given concerts all over the globe from Elgin to Jerusalem. Throughout her various experiences, her favorite part is the same: experiencing music’s power to build connections.
“That’s the art of what music is," she said. "It’s connecting with other people."
Schroeder cites a connection made because of a relationship with Icelandic composer Snorri Birgisson. Birgisson had given Schroeder some of his music, who, in turn, decided to share it with a student. The student liked one song in particular with an Icelandic title that, as Schroeder later discovered, translated to mean “little blond girl with white socks.”
As it happens, the student was a little blond girl wearing white socks.
“The whole incident was relayed to Snorri and [the girl’s] mother and to this day it still has the feel of some connection we just don't understand,” Schroeder said. “I never played that particular work for anyone else before or after that.”
However, other connections, while more ordinary, are still significant to Schroeder.
“Connecting people with the spirit of any music is what a performer does,” she said.
After her concerts, people often approach Schroeder about specific pieces, she said, telling her a song was “our favorite song when we married” or “my son’s favorite work.”
“That is fun for me and them,” Schroeder said.
