1. ARCHDIOCESE CHICAGO
Rev. Jack A. Jura
Assistant Vocation Director
Vicariate ll
May 4,2410
1775 Grove St
Clenvicw lL 60025
Phanet A47-729-t525
Fax:847 -729-0623
Email: jackiura@gmail.com
To Who lt May Concern,
This letter is to serve as my formal recommendation for Russell Stern, the Director of
Music of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Glenview, lL.
Russell has been our music director for almost two years and has brought joy,
prayerfulness, and passion back to our liturgies. Since he has started working here,
members of our congregation, both young and old, stay after our services simply to
delight in the beauty of his music.
He is an extremely gifted and talented musician. His musical genius has so moved
some fallen away parishioners, they have returned to celebrate with our parish family
with excitement and enthusiasm.
Russell has the ability to put together choirs of different ages and different talent levels,
to create beautifully choreographed ensembles. His choir members are conscious of
how lucky they are to work with such a creative individual, and how they are blessed to
be a part of one of his choirs.
Russell is kind, considerate and patient at alltimes, even when preparation for a special
liturgy is on a short timeframe.
He is hard working, resourceful, creative, and a solution-oriented person, who is
frequently able to come up with new and inspiring approaches to liturgical celebrations.
At the same time, he is very respectful of our traditions and practices.
Russell functions well as a team leader, when required, and he also works effectively as
a team member under the direction of the pastor.
We, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, are very privileged to have Russell as part of our
parish family. Based on my experience working with him, I can unreservedly
recommend Russell Stern to you for any music position. lf you would like further
elaboration, feel free to call me at (847) 729-1525.
Sincerely,
& h{unoRev. Jack A. Jura
Associate Pastor

2. o
OF
R
RP ETUAL HELP
LADY
May 4, 2010
Dear Sir:
This letter is to serve as a letter of recommendation for Russell Stern who
is the Director of Music at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glenview.
Since Russell has assumed the position of Director of Music here almost
two years ago, the quality of our parish worship has been significantly
changed for the better. Russell is a talented musician and also a very good
person. He has attracted a great number of parishioners to join the music
ministry. People find Russell to be kind and encouraging. The number of
choirs he has established has grown. He has also been much appreciated
in his work with couples preparing for marriage and their wedding, as well
as families in grief at the loss of a loved one and who are trying to plan the
funeral.
Russell has become an important member of the parish staff. He is
engaged, listens well, and is very supportive to others in their ministry. I
have also found Russell to be very reliable and easy to work with. He is a
man of humility and integrity, as well as an extremely talented musician.
lf I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
U
P
€ )frr*,,,,*. r#;a1
Fr. Thomas Hickey /
Pastor
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP 1775 GroveSt, Glenvrew 1160025 . 847.729.1525 . olphglenvlew.org

3. Febnrary 26,2004
To Mhom It May Concern:
I am wdting in recommendation of Russell Stern. Russell and I have known each other fot
ovet 15 yeafs now, and extensively so as fellow musicians. As a musician and especially a
pianist Russell is without peer. He is a qurck study, an excellent reader and has unusually
fine rnsflncts about accompanying in either the solo vocal or choral settings.
One of the advantages Russell has ovet many other musicians is that he is not stuck in one
art fotm ot another. He is well known in the area for his ability to adapt playing style, often
from one piece to the next with nothing less than mastery of technique.
As a petsonal ftiend fot that time as well I can state without a doubt that Russell is
wonderful rn social and musically diverse settings. He is able to put people at ease with his
demeanor, and at the same time be humble about his virtuosity.
I have witnessed over the yeafs, both as a peer in music within the Catholic Church and now
as the Dtector of Liturgical Music for the Archdrocese of Chicago that Russell is an
outstanding Musician, and a wonderful person. I tecommend Russell to you without
hesitation.
If you wish to contact me, I can be reached at:
Charles A. I(essell
Director of Liturgical Music
Office for Divine Worship
Archdiocese of Chicago
1800 N. Hermitage
Clrrcago II. 60622-1 101
Wk: 773-486-5153 x-232
Cell: 773-858-5325
e-mail: ckessell@odw.org
e-mail: Petc55@,iuno.com
Sincerely,
, ,)
U
tt/uanhofr M'il'
Charles A. I{essell

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Hoffman Esrates, iL eOtS+
847i885-7700 FAX 847/885-4631
Mav 6,2002
To Whom it ivtay Ctoncem:
i am rvriting this ietter of reibrence fbr R.usseii Stern. i have i<nor*m him ibr the iast nine
years since I fured him for our parish as a full time staff member with the title of Music
T)ii'ector As na-stor of the parish" I appreciaie and respect Russell because of his
outsta.n<iing quaiities.
I kncwRusseii to be a man of excepticnai experience, i<ncw4edge, and expertise in the
areas of music. During his'years w.ith us he organized, developed, and up'dated our music
repertoire. He recruited and trained two adult choirs, cantors, ind our.children choir. He
is responslule for the music deparimeni burigei anci aciministers it very weii.
As music ciirector, Russeil works in conjunction with ourliturgy coordinaforaud
planning team and myself There is a good relaticnship amorrg-us in the planning
praccss- He is responsible for the planniag of music for a1l our parish's weekly liturgies
and major celebrations. F{e is very familiar and knorvledgeable cf church music bath
traditional and current. His musical choices (vocal and instmmentai) help create a
prayerfiilly atmosphere for the worshipping assembly. He plans with an ar.vareness of
lihrgical principles and reflestion of spirituality.
Russell is an accomplished pianist who is appreciated by all in our community. He
improvises well - without being distracting tb the liturgical action taking place. He plays
all styles of music. He also conducts the choirs while playing the piano. i{e has also
recently composed some pieces for our church worship.
If there,is arything else which I can assist you with regarding Russell Stem and his
musical abilities, please let me know.
Sincerely,
+*-W-."{/Rev. Eugene J. Now'ak
Pastor

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6. SAINT PATRICK PARISH
4l Ouvnn SrnrEr Cnarnavr NJ 07928
973-635-0625 www.st-pats.org FAX:975-655-0119
April T,2008
To Whomever It May Concern:
Russell Stern has been the Music Director for Saint Patrick Parish for the past four years. During
that time he was initially responsible for forn choirs, i.e. children, ensemble, adult and youth
ministry. He rehearsed and directed each choir as well as playing the piano and organ with these
groups. Over the four years he was able to achieve a greater blending of voices in the ensemble
group which consisted of four or five members and encouraged various instrumentalists to
participate in that Mass. The children's choir was able to sing more diffrcult music. He enhanced
the children choir with an ensemble group of other instrumentalists. He also was able to create a
quartet from the adult choir to sing a variety of classical pieces at Mass. The Youth Ministry,
"God Unplugged", moved beyond some of the tradition "youth music" to a fuller repertoire of
church music. He introduced another hymnal to our community so we were able to sing from
Oregon Catholic Press as well as Ritual Song in this time of liturgical uncertainty in the Church.
He had the overall responsibility for the selection of music for the five Masses celebrated each
weekend and our other major celebrations. He likewise prepared the cantors. He was responsible
for either playing or finding an organist and cantor for our Masses of Christian Burial. He met at
regular intervals with couples preparing for Ma:riage so that their musical selections would be
appropriate. Depending on his availability, he also played for our parochial school Masses as
well as our parish First Communion and Confirmation.
He participated in our parish staff meetings and as we entered into a more formal Pastoral
Planning for our parish, he was involved in our Liturgical Committee. He shared his insights into
music, liturgy and our sound system.
Russell is a gifted pianist and composer. This is evident, not only in his studies, but also in his
performance. He truly becomes involved and one with the music he has composed and plays. In
those moments, he and the instrument are almost one, each bringing out the most and the best in
the other.
Over the four years of his musical directorship, he has challenged and encouraged his choirs and
our parish community. I can only wish him the very best as he continues in his music career
wherever that may be.
Sincerely yours,
f- g'.'4{y J/",'a-,
Rev. Edward J. Hinds
Pastor
saint patrick ParLsh, ut urtured bg the €ucharist and the Word of qod. is a welconting comntunitg.

7. Oun L.qDv Oe TnE AAvstDE P,tnrsH
Dear Sir/lvladam:
I am writing to recommend to you h{r. Russell Stern. I want to acknowledge his expertise
and professionalism in his work as a musician and liturgical minister.
Mr. Stern and I worked together for three years at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Niles,
Illinois. His working relationship with the parish staff and other parish members was
outstanding. He had the ability to put people at ease with his style of leadership. He gave
others his attention and shared his talents generously.
I would highly recommend his for his musicianship. Mr. Stern possesses excellent
keyboard skills along with knowledge of other instruments. He planned and implemented
appropriate liturgical music, always taking into account the scripture readings and the
liturgical seasons. His improvisational skills at the keyboard captured the tone and
meaning of the liturgy and the season. I support as well his proficiency as a choir director.
He worked extremely well with a diverse group of people, nurturing and molding them
into an exceptional liturgicat choir.
My association with Mr. Stern was a comfortable one. He not only impressed me with his
musical talents, but with his knowledge of Catholic worship and his ability to work with a
variety of people. I highly recommend his for any liturgical music position.
If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to call.
RECTORY 708-253-5353 ' CARE & OUTREACH 253-5353
432 WEST PARK ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ILLINOIS 60005
oLW SCHOOL 255-0050
432 SOUTH MITCHELL
. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 398-5011
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ILLINOIS 60005
Sincerely,

8. f**j*vgt
tfra3*.3@agii
brr. tinS
Apri I 10, 1993
rt was my privilege and pleasure to work and pray wiEh Mr. Russell
sEern for six years at sto rsaac Jogues parlsh ln Niles, rl. I was
Associate Pastor there until my reeent retlrement, and Russel is the
Mustc DirecEor.
Russell ts a most capable nnrsieian - orr keyboard, as choir dlrector
and as comPoser. He dlrects an adult choir, a contemporary ensemble, and
a chlldrenst cholr. He has also glven concerts for the parish. He is
tttttch loved, respected and appreclated by St. Isaacrs parish communlty.
Russell ts a prayerful person, and his nuslcal efforts are truly
Prayer. Although he was not ralsed ln our rellglous tradltlon, he has
made hirnself an expert ln Roman Catholic ltturgy and tradltlons. He knor.rs
all the Ilturglcal dtrectives and guldelines, and follows them carefully,
yet creativefy. I have n"uer!&dyone as good at selecting music to fit t,he
scrlpture readlngs and llturgical thenres of our sunday worship.
As Music Dlrector, Russell ts a member of the parlsh staff, and
shares fully ln the staff npetings, deeislon maklng, actlvitles and prayero
He is gentler yet firm, ln seeking excellence tn all that he does.
He would be an asset wherever he is"
As you may have guessed by now, r thlnk very highly of Russell stern,
both as a m.rslctan and a human betng.
Sincerely,
/;,,ffi /Revo Walter F.
iTI
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To Whom It May Concem:
I am pleased to have this opportunity to assist in your decision regarding Russell Stern as
a candidate for employment. In my capacity as Liturgy Coordinator at St. Hubert Parish, I
work ciosely with Russell in preparing liturgies. This has given me frequent, hands-on
experience of his talent as a musician and personality. I have worked with four other Music
Directors in the parish setting and none exceeded Russell's ability as a pianist and conductor.
His style was notable to me from the first time I heard him---capable of such divdrsity, full of
interest without losing those who are singing along as choir members and assembly in
church. This truly weighed in on my decision to come to St. Hubert. Our parish staff
benefits from Russell's creative talent, his sense of humor and his attention to his spiritual
and physical needs.
Unique and outstanding with Russell is his improvisational skills, embellishments that fill
out the ordinary style of performing a piece. It is prayerful, yet fun and often needed when
something impromptu is called for to fill in what is taking place in the service. That's when
you want Russell at the piano. He has such a feel for what is needed, in text, style, tempo
and suitability for the people he serves. This makes him an effective member on our liturgy
planning team. Russell pays attention to the contributions of others in all areas, especially
those that will affect his selection of music. With a solid knowledge of the liturgical
principles that guide our choices, he listens and then brings it all together and decides what
works best. His original compositions are very fine liturgical music that i feel should be
published for wider use.
Russell works alongside all kinds of people, some highly trained, most unsophisticated in
their volunteerism. What impresses me most is his kindness and gentle treatment of all of
them. With his ear for perfection and high standards for music, one might think working
with children might be frustrating for him. Contrarily, Russell is patient, enjoying the
children and how he can help them as music makers. Where appropriate, the children sing a
piece selected for their abilities and enjoyment. But, it has been amazingto me how they
have been able to learn so much of the parish repertoire under Russell's direction. This
makes the Children's Choir a ministry to the people's prayer, not just entertainment. He
uses his extraordinary gift as a director to bring the best forth from non-professionally trained
voices and blend so many levels of expertise. Members of the choir produce because of his
own love of music and his faith in them. As an accompanist, he adjusts to each songleader
while not compromising what is called for in the music,
As an individual and professional, Russell is a person of tremendous energy and
creativity, yet he does not wear out others. Rather he brings along our choir and
congregation at a very digestible pace-introducing new music while maintaining favorites
that can be handled with ease. As our Music Director, Russell has carried the parish to a level
of excellence in their liturgical music.
In closing, I wish you well in your search with every confidence that Russell Stern will
exceed your expectations.