Mr. Arkenberg has long been associated with the choral music scene in Chicago. While pursuing his studies at DePaul University, he became Music Director at Saint Clement’s Church in Lincoln Park, a position he held for 15 years.

Noted for his recruitment skills, as well as his expertise in the choral arts, his Saint Clement Concert Choir performed Handel’s Messiah to sell-out audiences for 14 consecutive seasons. Performances of the Fauré Requiem, the Mozart Requiem and Beethoven’s Mass in C-Major were part of the repertoire.

Mr. Arkenberg moved to Santa Monica, California in 1989 to pursue his Master’s and Doctoral studies in Choral Music at the University of Southern California. While there on full scholarship, he was the Assistant Conductor of the USC Chamber Singers and was responsible for their West Coast Tour in 1994.

He has studied with Rodney Eichenberger, Henry Mazer, Paul Salamunovich, William Dehning, James Vail, Roger Wagner, Robert Shaw, and Helmuth Rilling. His choirs have toured Europe on three occasions. Presently, Mr. Arkenberg is Music Director at Saint James Church in Arlington Heights. He also teaches music at Alphonsus Academy and Center for the Arts.

Scott would like to especially thank the School Sisters of Saint Francis of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the many values, integrity as well as a deep love of music and the Catholic Church that they instilled in him as a child. Special thanks to Srs. Amabilia, Melvin, John Marie (Margaret Gazdik), Dorita, Judea, Herlinda, Mariangela, Valenta, Mary Jane, Clarissima, Theophane Hytrek, and Barbara Niemeyer.

Rob Elgas joined NBC5 News in Chicago in August 2002 as a general reporter. Rob came to NBC5 from the ABC affiliate in El Paso, Texas where he anchored their two-hour morning program. Rob joined KVIA-TV in 1998 as an anchor/producer of the station’s weekend newscasts. He also reported for the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. In July 2000, Rob joined “Good Morning, El Paso,” the morning news show. Prior to the El Paso station, Rob worked for the NBC affiliate in Champaign for more than three years. His duties included photographer (‘one-man band’), reporter, fill-in anchor, and even weather forecaster. He says his experience provided valuable insight.

Born in Arlington Heights and raised in Crystal Lake, Rob calls Chicago home. “My ultimate career goal was to return to my hometown and work in the greatest city in America. And, hopefully, watch the Bears win another Superbowl in person!”

Rob attended the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana, studying broadcast journalism and agricultural communications. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. His family now lives in southern Texas, near the border of Mexico — a place Rob calls his “home away from home”. Drop Rob a line at: rob.elgas@nbc.com.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Joe is happy to have found a home away from home in Saint Josaphat’s Parish. His musical ambitions and eagerness to experience another part of the country led him to DePaul University’s School of Music. Joe learned to love music at an early age, beginning with piano and voice, and later trumpet, guitar, and bass. For many years, he sang with the Raggazi Boys Choir based in the San Francisco Bay area. This is Joe’s fourth year working with the Holiday Pops Chorus and he is excited about this year’s performance. Joe says, “It’s a real pleasure working with Scott and the singers to make this a successful year for the community! Good luck, congratulations and the MERRIEST of Christmases!” Joe is presently Music Director at Saint Josaphat Church in Lincoln Park.

The Alphonsus Academy Children's Chorus is comprised of 4th through 8th grade students from Alphonsus Academy and Center for the Arts, where Mr. Scott Arkenberg has developed a strong music education program as an Artist in Residence since 2003. At AACA, the arts are integrated into the core curriculum and used as a vehicle to create new learning opportunities and enhance existing learning opportunities in order to increase academic achievement for all students. Upon this foundation, Mr. Arkenberg began the Children's Choir program in 2007 to the delight of the students and the AACA community. The students sing regularly for Mass at St. Alphonsus Church, enjoy performing around Chicago throughout the Holidays and have been featured on NBC 5 Morning News and Relevant Radio. The children have devoted much time and energy to prepare for this evening's special guest performance. They are excited to return to the Harris Theater and share with you the spirit of Christmas as only children can.

Santa Claus is known the world round as a jolly toy-delivering Christmas figure. Mr. Claus resides at the North Pole with his wife, a crew of industrious elves, and a stable of magical flying reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and,of course his beloved shiny-nosed Rudolph.

While most of his year is spent tallying the "naughty" and "nice" acts of hundreds of millions of children, on the night of December 24th, the eve of the celebration of the birth of Jesus, Santa visits the houses of all good girls and boys on the planet to deliver gifts.

Though famous for his alleged ability to enter houses quickly and silently through chimneys, he has proved himself equally adept at accessing more modern households and apartments, which may not have open fireplaces.

Besides his appearance at this year's Holiday Pops Concert, he will keep a very busy schedule appearing at various department stores, shopping malls and holiday parties.

We are lucky to have Santa with us for this year's Pops Concert in light of this being his busiest time of year. "Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus!"