Illinois Symphony Orchestra (ISO)

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra will present its next concert, “Paris Impressions” on Friday Nov. 8, at the UIS Performing Arts Center in Springfield, Ill. and Saturday Nov. 9, at the ISU Center for the Performing Arts in Normal, Ill. Grammy-nominated conductor and the former Music Director of ISO Alastair Willis will conduct the orchestra. The concert will also feature actor Robert R. Mangialardi who is currently an Emeritus Assistant Professor of Voice and former Director of the Opera Theatre program at Illinois Wesleyan University. The program includes:Selections from Franck Symphony in D minorDebussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a FaunStravinsky Firebird – Petrushka – Rite of SpringPoulenc Les BichesRavel La ValseFor ticket information visit: ilsymphony.org

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra (ISO) begins its 2024-2025 season with “Festive Fanfare.” The concert, conducted by ISO music director Taichi Fukumura, will feature Walton's Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, Coleridge-Taylor's Violin Concerto with violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason, and Dvořák's Symphony No. 8.The ISO performs in Springfield on Friday Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. and in Normal on Saturday Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information visit: ilsymphony.org

A special performance will take place September 14.

After a two-year search, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra has found its new music director. Taichi Fukumura will conduct the Illinois Symphony Orchestra in its next season. Fukumura and Executive Director Trevor Orthmann spoke to Community Voices about the search process, the vision for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra moving forward and the Sip & Sounds series offered June through September.

Alejandro Gómez Guillén is one of the candidates vying for the music director position at the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and he is set to conduct the final performance of the season "Opposites Attract," which features Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang. Guillén spoke to Community Voices about his interest in music and explained what audiences can expect to hear at the upcoming concert.The concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. on May 3 in Springfield and May 4 in Bloomington-Normal. Concert Comments are before the performances at 6:30 p.m. and there’s a play on after party following the performances. For more information and for tickets visit ilsymphony.org.

Several events are planned from Feb. 22-24.

Tania Miller is one of the candidates for the open Music Director position at the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. She'll conduct the upcoming concert "Captivating Contrasts," on Feb. 16 in Springfield, Ill. and on Feb. 17 in Bloomington-Normal, Ill. Miller spoke to Community Voices about the performance which will feature works by Beethoven, Barber and Nielsen.For more information visit ilsymphony.org

Whether you love Bugs Bunny or "Beauty and the Beast," the Illinois Symphony Orchestra (ISO) will bring the music from animation to the stage at their upcoming concert "Tunes from the Toons!" The performance will be conducted by music director candidate Yaniv Dinur and will feature music you heard in Saturday morning cartoons and animated feature films. The ISO will perform in Springfield, Ill. on Jan. 26 and in Bloomington-Normal on Jan. 27. For more information visit: ilsymphony.org

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual holiday concert Friday Dec. 15 in Springfield and Dec. 16 in Bloomington-Normal. Taichi Fukumura returns to conduct the concert which features several community organizations and soloist Megan Koch. Fukumura and Jacobsen Woollen spoke to Community Voices about the concert and how it will all come together. For more information visit: https://www.ilsymphony.org/

Taichi Fukumura is a finalist in the Illinois Symphony Orchestra's search for a new conductor. He spoke to Community Voices about his interest in orchestral music and the importance of incorporating contemporary pieces into concerts he conducts. Fukumura will conduct the Oct. 20, concert in Springfield, Ill. titled "Fire & Fanfare."