My Dear Friends,

Central Illinois is a wonderful cornucopia of cultural, business, medical, and educational forces enriching both our region and the world. This was on my mind when planning 2011-2012 season of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra - to celebrate our rich history and vibrant culture. I want to make OUR COMMUNITY OUR CONCERT HALL!

First of all, I am especially proud to welcome to our community Maestro James DePreist, a world-renowned conductor, recording artist, educator, and winner of the National Medal of the Arts - our country's highest honor in the arts. In his art and his life he delivers to us a heroic message and inspiration to make the world, and our community, a better place. It is both fitting and good that he open our concert season. Welcome Jimmy!

Our Classical Series features Illinois citizens on the world’s artistic and political stages including Chicago pianist Jorge Federico Osorio, trumpeter Jeffrey Holbrook (Central Illinois Youth Symphony alumnus - now Principal Trumpet of the Seoul Philharmonic in Korea), and Congressman Aaron Schock. Composers this season include Bradley University’s John Orfe and Stephen Heinemann and two, long-neglected Illinois artists: Joliet’s Edward Joseph Collins (1886-1951) and Chicago’s Florence Beatrice Price (1887-1953). Both these composers were once performed regularly. Price’s Symphony in E Minor was the first work by an African-American woman performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Add to this our own Marcia Henry Liebenow, Manpreet Bedi, and Chicago’s David Taylor and Richard Hirschl, and you can see how the world becomes Peoria and Peoria the world.

Our educational collaborations this coming season are very exciting. We are partnering with choruses, orchestral players, and jazz musicians from Bradley, Millikin, Illinois State and other universities, as well as the Central Illinois Youth Symphony. More than just concerts, our explorations of the music of Mahler, Beethoven, and Brahms bring the expertise of the PSO artists side by side with young musicians from throughout the region. You will see an ever-increasing presence of the PSO in the schools and universities by myself, our musicians and guest artists. And as our own Peoria Symphony Guild celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year, I am happy to welcome to our family soprano Linden Christ, the 2011-2012 PSO Young Outreach Artist of the Year. Linden will be working closely with the guild in the schools, hospitals, and on our stage. Welcome Linden!

I am very excited about our new series of concerts including our PSO Presents! Series which explores the music of Broadway, Gershwin, and Jazz as well as our special “Concert of Thanksgving” to kick-off the holidays with the Peoria Area Civic Chorale and Childrens Chorus, Peoria Ballet, and other arts organizations. These concerts bring together our community of artists to celebrate truly American musical styles.

The fun of the new PSO season continues with the return of our Noteworthy Events, subscription “Festivals Events”, and The Illinois New Music Festival. Look for these listings in additional announcements, mailings, and on our website at www.peoriasymphony.org. Finally, several new concert series will offer you more opportunities for you and your family to explore the arts. The new Peoria Symphony Chamber Players will be performing at the Lakeview Museum, Eureka College, WTVP, Bradley University, and at the GAR Building downtown. If you want to spend some quality time with culture, our noon Bankers Hours events are free, one-hour casual matinees at the historic Grand Army of the Republic building in downtown Peoria. Bring your lunch!

Our community is our concert hall! So, let’s celebrate our talents and cultural diversity together with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.



Sincerely,

George Stelluto, Music Director
Peoria Symphony Orchestra