Central's Concert Series
Central is once again hosting a series of concerts to support local musicians and raise funds for the Log Cabin renovation which begins this spring. Join us for this exciting five concert series. All performances will be held in the church sanctuary. Suggested Donation is $10 per person (tax deductible)


Saturday, March 13th at 7:00 pm

The Magical Strings of Youth
of the Betty Haag Academy of Music

The Magical Strings of Youth, the performing group of the Betty Haag Academy of Music, is comprised of young inspiring violinists between the ages of 4 and 18.

Their concert tours have brought them to all corners of the globe over the past four decades, including the former USSR, Europe, Asia and Australia. Recently the Magical Strings were invited back to the Vatican to play before 100,000 people in Saint Peter's Square before Pope Benedict XVI. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and have been invited to play at the White House twice. They have have performed on television many times including the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America and with Bill Cosby, the Grant Park Symphony and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

John Williams, the conductor and composer of many of our most popular soundtracks including Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones and many others that have become a part of our culture said of the group that he was "no longer concerned about the music of our youth after hearing the performance of the Magical Strings."

The Betty Haag Academy of Music is dedicated to youth, founded and directed by violinist Betty Haag. Instruction in violin, viola, flute, cello, guitar, piano, note reading and ensemble is offered to over 500 students from the Chicago metropolitan area. The Academy provides students with a broad experience in solo, ensemble and concert performances.

Mrs. Haag employs a unique teaching philosophy that draws upon a variety of methodologies. The young child is first introduced to music study through the Suzuki method created by Dr. Shininchi Suzuki of Japan, who believed that just as a child learns to pseak by imitating the mother tongue, he or she can also learn to play a musical instrument by the sam imitative process. Mrs. Haag who worked directly with Dr. Suzuki in this country and in Japan, uses the Suzuki method as the foundation for the young child's instruction. At the appropriate age, note reading, scales, etudes and traditional study begin. 

(All concert proceeds will go toward the Log Cabin renovation)