Sister Cities International Festival

September 12, 2026 | Central Park 

Yacht rock at an international festival? You got it! The Main Deck will be performing at the Naperville Sister Cities International Festival on September 12, 2026. Join Alex Amato and the ensemble for a set featuring our audience favorites by Hall & Oates, The Doobie Brothers, Air Supply, Christopher Cross, Dan & Coley, and Toto. Join us for a free evening of music!

Around the Christmas Tree

December 6, 2026 | Naperville Covenant Church 

Following the success of the inaugural season, Amatones NFP presents our second concert series: AROUND, gathering the community together for two transformative productions at Naperville Covenant Church. The season opens with "Around the Christmas Tree," featuring festive repertoire centered on togetherness and warmth. The concert will highlight an ensemble of elite student musicians from across the state. Now operating under a collaborative leadership model, Amatones is excited to deliver an elevated patron experience and deeper audience immersion. Tickets officially go on sale October 29th!

Sunday With The Sturgeons

On July 19, 2026, Chicagoland pianist Alexander J. Amato presented an evening of yacht rock at Martin Park in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin! The program featured Amato on solo keys and gently guided the audience along the sunset. Special thank you to Drake Owens for his lending his photography skills, and to Michael Barker with the City of Sturgeon Bay.

NWC Fine Arts & Artisan Fair

Returning for his fourth year, Alex Amato led The Main Deck, Amatones NFP's newest yacht-rock performing ensemble at the Naperville Woman's Club Fine Arts & Artisan Fair on Saturday, June 27. As the standalone, headlining entertainment, they entertained a full crowd with the breezy classics of yacht rock from the 70/80s.

Emerging Conductors Workshop

On June 12, 2026, Alex Amato conducted Jacob Narverud's "Lunar Lullaby" at the 2026 Emerging Conductors Workshop. Amato was selected as one of four featured choral conductors, tasked with teaching and conducting a volunteer choir under the mentorship of Daniel Cruz, Catherine Clare Songco, and Lee Kesselman.

KidsMatter School's Out Night

On June 4, 2026, Alex Amato returned to the KidsMatter "School's Out" Fundraiser Night for his third year, bringing an ensemble from Amatones featuring keyboard, drums and percussion. In addition, Amato coordinated all of the live music for the evening, performed by local youth. This event supported the remarkable nonprofit organization, KidsMatter.

Troops 505 & 1505 Pancake Breakfast

On April 18, 2026, Alex Amato returned to Knox Presbyterian Church and the Naperville Scout Troops 505 & 1505 Pancake Breakfast for his third year, providing the smooth sounds of yacht rock on the keys as supporters enjoy a fine breakfast.

Amid the Harbor Lights

On April 12, 2026, Alexander J. Amato presented Amid the Harbor Lights, a concert surrounding the genre of "yacht-rock" from the late 1970s & early 1980s. He was joined by ten young musicains representing nine schools across seven different communities across the state of Illinois. The program featured artists including Christopher Cross, Toto, Fleetwood Mac, America, Billy Joel, Elton John, and more. This concert, drawing a full house audience, was a meaningful way to close the inaugural 2025-2026 concert series, Amid.

Community Christmas Luncheon

On December 24, 2025, Alex Amato brought the joyous sounds of the season to the community at the 2025 Christmas Luncheon co-hosted by the Naperville Park District and the YMCA. Amato collaborated with members of the Naperville Men's Glee Club to lead festive sing-alongs, in addition to performing several of his own selections.

Amid the Winter's Snow

On December 7, 2025, Alexander J. Amato presented Amid the Winter's Snow, a multi-instrumental celebration that brought the Christmas season to vibrant life. He was joined by eleven impressive young performers representing seven schools across five different communities. Spanning over three centuries of festive repertoire, the program showcased solo piano alongside voice, percussion, strings, brass, and electric guitar. The collaboration was immense, uniting over 85 people from audience to crew to performers for a moment that beautifully captured the light and warmth emerging during the year's coldest time.

KidsMatter EMPOWER Gala 2025

On November 15, 2025, Alex Amato returned to perform at the KidsMatter EMPOWER Gala for the second consecutive year. Amato performed yacht rock favorites on the piano for over 300 attendees. The KidsMatter EMPOWER Gala celebrated the impact of empowering kids to realize their purpose, know their value, and discover their pathway. 

Naperville Sister Cities Festival

On September 13, 2025, Alex Amato conducted Canto Vivo from the Young Naperville Singers, an organization he has been singing with for 10 years, in concert. This was part of a larger performance from the Young Naperville Singers' Bella Cantare & Canto Vivo ensembles at the Naperville Sister Cities Festival, celebrating Hispanic heritage.

Amatones Summer Choir

In June 2025, Alex Amato co-founded and led the Amatones Summer Choir Camp at the Alive Center with Allie Budney, Benet '26. The program brought together young singers for three weeks of music, friendship, and growth. It culminated in a full-house performance on June 20, 2025, conducted by Alex Amato and Allie Budney, with collaborative pianist Liam Nelson.