The Sycamore Music Boosters announce the return of their annual fundraising night out, A Note to Remember, which will be 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St. The event will feature world-class performers, live auctions and raffles, and a cash bar.

The evening will highlight live performances by the Eric Montzka Trio and the Todd Donnelly Trio. High school performers will include the Sycamore High School String Quartet, the Sycamore High School Madrigals and the Sycamore High School Jazz Ensemble.

The Eric Montzka Trio includes Eric Montzka on percussion, Chicago guitarist, composer and arranger John McLean and Larry Gray on bass. Montzka formed the trio to appear exclusively at A Note To Remember.

Gray is a recording artist and professor of jazz performance, double bass and guitar at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Montzka performs with Gray annually at Chicago’s famed jazz club, The Green Mill. Montzka knows McLean from performing with him in the Patricia Barber Group and from performing on McLean’s “Better Angels” recording.

The group will perform a mix of jazz standards and, potentially, some originals.

Montzka, a 1985 graduate of Sycamore High School and an inductee into the Sycamore Music Boosters Hall of Fame, returns to his hometown for this event. After graduating high school, Montzka earned a bachelor’s degree in percussion performance from Northern Illinois University.

Montzka said the Sycamore Music Boosters have helped him and his family over the years, especially with the purchase of drums used in the school district’s band program.

“It’s nice to be able to give back,” Montzka said.

The event will also feature an array of auction items and raffle baskets, offering attendees the chance to win prizes. Refreshments will be available, including a cash bar. Please note this event is for guests 19 and older.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at www.sycamoremusicboosters.com/a-note-to-remember.

Event Schedule

7 p.m. – Doors Open
7:05 p.m. – Sycamore High School String Quartet
7:20 p.m. – Todd Donnelly Trio
8:10 p.m. – Break
8:20 p.m. – Sycamore High School Madrigals
8:35 p.m. – Break
8:45 p.m. – Eric Montzka Trio
9:45 p.m. – Break
9:55 p.m. – Sycamore High School Jazz Ensemble

About Sycamore Music Boosters:
The Sycamore Music Boosters is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing and supporting music education and performance opportunities for students in the Sycamore community. Through fundraising and community events like A Note to Remember, the Music Boosters ensure that music continues to play a vital role in the lives of students and the broader community.