IT WASN'T A wedding and it certainly wasn't a funeral. But there I was, third pew from the front, wishing I had a real hankie to blot my tears instead of the crumpled paper napkin in my pocket.

I couldn't help myself. Beauty makes me cry and beautiful music and beautiful voices made me weep not once, but twice at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Waukegan on Sunday, first during a performance of the Waukegan Concert Chorus and second during a good old-fashioned Christmas musical.

In the first performance, "Magnify Him, Glorify Him", the WCC, directed by Sylvanus Tyler III, sang Vivaldi's "Gloria" - in Latin, of course. All 12 movements of the hymn were beautifully sung by the 30 or so chorus members including two young soprano soloists from Bradford High School in Kenosha.

The music was even more meaningful, because I recognized so many of the voices. There was Pat Foley, former longtime member of the Waukegan School Board, local attorney Doug Stiles, retired Waukegan High teacher and community volunteer extraordinaire Ann Hughes-Johnson, and David Bradley, the friendliest guy at the counter at Waukegan's Secretary of State facility.

Chorus members are regular folks, but there is nothing regular about how they sing.

"We just love coming together and making music," said WCC member Alice Alviani. "It's like any athlete or performer who talks about 'being in the zone.' You get into that zone and you have people you love around you also in the zone and all singing together. It's just an amazing experience."

Alviani, who also sang during First Pres' Christmas musical "The Promise," a program of contemporary music and biblical readings directed by pastor and musician the Rev. David Eikenberry, wasn't surprised when I told her how I blubbered.

"There's something about live music," she said. "It's different than throwing in a CD. Live music really resonates with people's spirits. It transports them."

While I cried because the music made me so happy, one thing made me sad. The WCC performance should have packed the acoustically-lovely church, but it drew a sparse crowd.

The WCC Waukegan Symphony Orchestra, Bowen Park Opera Company and myriad fine arts offerings at the Jack Benny Center are some of the best-kept secrets in Lake County. Alviani hopes to promote those and the chamber, jazz and other musical groups that are "popping up like mushrooms" in and around Waukegan.

"I realize it takes an effort to come out," said Alviani, co-owner of the Family Piano Co., at 114 S. Genesee St. "People are busy. They're tired just getting through the day. But I think we are starved for live music. It's like society has been saying 'leave this to the professionals, don't try it at home.' But recordings don't stir your soul the way that live music does. And you don't have to be good right away. Music is a process, a journey not just a destination. More of us should be singing and playing, in our communities, in our homes."

The WCC's next concert, "American Gospel," will be held 7:30 p.m. March 3. Call (847) 360-4740 for tickets and remember to bring a hankie.