DeKALB | Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem In D Minor” is no simple piece of music.

Written for chorus and orchestra, “Requiem” features seven movements in six different keys. Chorus members must perform complex vocal melodies for about 35 minutes, all while singing in Latin and Greek.

When the DeKalb Festival Chorus performs this beautiful piece Nov. 20 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John, 26555 Brickville Road in Sycamore, the woman responsible for keeping up to 50 voices in perfect harmony will be chorus director and NIU alumna Jen Whiting.

A native of Chicago and director of the DeKalb Festival Chorus since 2004, Whiting has always been passionate about music.

“I loved taking piano lessons from the time I was about six,” Whiting said. “My sisters and I sang in a trio at the Baptist church in Hoffman Estates.”

Whiting said a former instructor inspired her to pursue chorus.

“My first grade teacher gave me my first experience with the choral sound when she sat the first graders on the gym floor and had one group sing, ‘do,’ and the next group sing, ‘mi,’ and the next group sing, ‘sol,’ and when we sang all together, we made a triad,” she said. “To my very young ears that sounded so magical, and I think ever since then I’ve been hooked on the choral sound.”

Whiting has kept a strong relationship with classical music for her entire life, earning a Master of Music with Individual Specialization in Choral Conducting in 2006 and a Performer’s Certificate in 2008, both from NIU.

“I am very thankful for my experiences at NIU’s School of Music , particularly for the teaching and modeling of the faculty members whose musicianship I admire and hope to emulate,” Whiting said via email. “Dr. Eric Johnson was a huge influence in my musical development. I still learn from him every time I see him conduct.”

The DeKalb Festival Chorus has been a part of the DeKalb music scene since the 1970s and features members from age 20 to 80.

The chorus currently has around 35 members, but Whiting expects to have 50 members by the time the chorus performs “Requiem.” Whiting has been conducting auditions since July and encourages anyone interested in becoming a chorus member to schedule an audition.

“It’s not too late,” Whiting said. “The interview is low-pressure and gives the conductor an opportunity to ensure correct placement in the chorus.”

As a piece that gives remembrance to the deceased, “Requiem” comes from the tradition of the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead, Whiting said. Although some may perceive this choice of music as somber, Whiting feels differently.

“It’s rather life-affirming and comforting,” she said. “It’s a comfort to the listeners.”

In addition to the performance of “Requiem,” the DeKalb Festival Chorus will also perform at a Peace Concert at Rock Valley College in Rockford. The performance will take place on Sept. 10 and will commemorate the tenth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. The group will be performing the “Dona nobis pacem” from Joseph Haydn’s “Theresienmesse,” as well as a mass performance with seven other choirs of Felix Mendelssohn’s “Verleih’ uns Frieden.”

Whiting said she is optimistic about the future of the chorus and hopes to have 60 or more members someday.

“Our hard-working board and our dedicated singers are committed to continuing our tradition of bringing high-quality choral music to the community,” she said.