IVSO will present 'Season Finale'
OGLESBY — The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will present "Season Finale" at 7:30 p.m. May 1 in the Illinois Valley Cultural Centre. The concert will feature Russell Vinick, guest conductor, and classical guitar soloist Miles McConnell.
Sponsored by Illinois Cement Co. and LaSalle State Bank, the IVSO will perform Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 and Rossini’s Barber of Seville Overture, along with Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo featuring McConnell. The variety of pieces is sure to offer something for every music lover’s taste.
Vinick serves as music director and conductor of the Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra (Chicago), Chicago Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, McHenry County Youth Orchestras, and as a part-time music faculty member at Columbia College of Chicago. He has been a guest conductor for a number of orchestras.
Vinick was one of seven people internationally selected to participate in the conducting program at the Cabrillo Contemporary Music Festival in Santa Cruz, California. He earned a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Connecticut and a master's degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles under Daniel Lewis where he received the Conducting Departmental Award and music scholarships.
McConnell began playing guitar at age 5 with his father as his first teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida Southern College and a Master of Music Degree from the University of North Texas (where he was a Teaching Fellow). He is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Wisconsin – Madison with the eventual goal of teaching at the collegiate level. He currently teaches guitar at the Monroe Street Fine Arts Center in Madison, Wis., and the Student Teaching Division of the UW Madison School of Music. He is an active performer, both as a soloist, and in various chamber music and jazz ensembles.
Season ticket holders may present tickets at the door. Non-season ticket holders may purchase tickets at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students with identification. The IVCC Cultural Centre is handicapped accessible.
This concert is made possible in part by grants from the Illinois Valley Fine Arts Trust and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
