44th Annual Concert Season: 2020-2021
For 43 seasons, the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra has been proud and privileged to provide classical and popular music performances for our region.
Instead of a 44th season (2020-2021) of live concerts with live audiences, the current coronavirus pandemic has forced the KSO, and so many other performing-arts organizations, to modify its concert presentations.
During the fall 2020 portion of our season, October–December, we made available a free virtual-concert series of YouTube recordings of past concerts of our orchestra. And during the spring 2021 portion of this season, we plan to deliver free YouTube presentations of newly performed concerts, beginning March 6.
The following concert videos will be available beginning on the dates and times indicated:
Saturday, May 8, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will present a video recording of a concert performed in three portions consisting of dedicated musicians from different instrumental sections of the orchestra. The concert program will consist of the following:
Concert
An Exhibition of European Chamber Music Gems
Linc Smelser, Music Director
Brass Ensemble
Funeral March for Rikard Nordraak (1866) Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
Sonata Pian’ e forte (1597) Giovanni Gabrieli (1557-1612), arr. by Timothy Higgins
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Woodwind Ensemble
Petite Symphonie in B-flat Major (1885) Charles Gounod (1818-1893)
- Adagio–Allegro
- Andante cantabile (quasi adagio) attacca
- Scherzo. Allegro moderato
- Finale. Allegretto
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String Ensemble
Divertimento for String Orchestra Sz.113 (1939) Bela Bartók (1881-1945)
This concert may be viewed here beginning Saturday, May 8, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra musicians who are performing in this concert are listed here.
The following concert videos were made available earlier this season and may still be viewed:
Saturday, March 6, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will present a video recording of a concert performed in three portions consisting of dedicated musicians from different instrumental sections of the orchestra. The concert program will consist of the following:
Spring Concert
Linc Smelser, Music Director
March for Timpani and Brass (2000) Brent Heisinger (b. 1937)
Joseph Pasteris, Timpani
O Magnum Mysterium (1587) Giovanni Gabrieli (1557-1612), arr. by Timothy Higgins
Gathering of the Armies on the River Scheidt from Lohengrin (1848) Richard Wagner (1813-1883), arr. by Jay Friedman
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Serenade in D Minor, Op. 44 for Winds, Cello and String Bass (1878) Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
- Moderato, quasi marcia
- Tempo di minuetto
- Andante con moto
- Allegro molto
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48 (1880) Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
- Pezzo in forma di sonatina: Andante non troppo – Allegro moderato
- Valse: Moderato – Tempo di valse
- Elegie: Larghetto elegiaco
- Finale (Tema russo): Andante – Allegro con spirito
This concert may be viewed here beginning Saturday, March 6, 2021, 7:30 p.m.
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra musicians who are performing in this concert are listed here.
Saturday, October 10, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will present a video recording of its concert of February 22, 2020, which consisted of the following, performed in the Northern Illinois University Boutell Memorial Concert Hall:
Arthur D. Montzka Memorial Concert
Linc Smelser, Music Director
Mazeppa, S. 100 Franz Liszt
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Op. 61 Ludwig van Beethoven
Isabella Brown, violin
Winner of the 2020 Arthur D. Montzka Young Artists Concerto Competition
Czech Suite in D Major, Op. 39 Antonín Dvořák
The concert may be viewed here beginning Saturday, October 10, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
Program notes for this concert are found here.
Information about the violin soloist is found here.
Friday, October 30, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will present a video recording of its concert of October 29, 2019, which consisted of the following, performed in the Northern Illinois University Boutell Memorial Concert Hall:
Halloween Concert
Linc Smelser, Music Director
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Black Pearl Klaus Badelt
Theme from “Ghostbusters” Ray Parker, Jr.
Transylvania Lullaby from “Young Frankenstein” John Morris
Ann Montzka, violin; Linc Smelser, piano
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Paul Dukas
Theme from the Motion Picture “Halloween” John Carpenter
Incantations Richard Meyer
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets John Williams
Gilderoy Lockhart
Fawkes the Phoenix
In the Hall of the Mountain King Edvard Grieg
The concert may be viewed here beginning Friday, October 30, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 20, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will present a video recording of its concert of May 5, 2018, which consisted of the following, performed in the Northern Illinois University Boutell Memorial Concert Hall:
Bach Is Back
Linc Smelser, Music Director
Escapade (1984) Jan Bach (1937-2020)
Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major, RV 537, Op. 46, No. 1 (early 1700s) Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Concerto for Two Trumpets (1985) Carl Roskott (1953-2008) orch. Jan Bach
Mark Baldin and Michael Swope, trumpets
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 (1907) Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
- Largo – Allegro moderato
- Allegro molto
- Adagio
- Allegro vivace
The concert may be viewed here beginning Friday, November 20, 2020, 7:00 p.m..
Program notes for this concert are found here.
Saturday, December 12, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra will present a video recording of its concert of December 7, 2018, which consisted of the following, performed in the Northern Illinois University Boutell Memorial Concert Hall:
Winter Wonderland
Linc Smelser, Music Director
Pre-concert music was provided by the Northern Illinois University Suzuki Strings Program
Ann Montzka Smelser, Director
A Christmas Festival Leroy Anderson
Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op. 6, No. 8 (“Christmas Concerto”) Arcangelo Corelli
- Vivace
- Allegro
- Adagio – Allegro – Adagio
- Vivace
- Allegro
- Largo – Pastorale ad libitum
Music from the Motion Picture “The Polar Express” Alan Silvestri & Glen Ballard arr. Jerry Brubaker
Adoration of the Magi from “The Three Boticelli Pictures” Ottorino Respighi
Sleigh Ride Leroy Anderson
Intermission
Music during the concert intermission was provided by
the DeKalb High School Madrigal Singers
A Mad Russian’s Christmas Paul O’Neill, Robert Kinkel, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky arr. Bob Phillips
The Toy Symphony Franz Joseph Haydn
- Allegro
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Johnny Marks transc. Patrick Sheehan
Here Comes Santa Claus/Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town O. Haldeman, G. Autry, J. Coots & H. Gillespie trans. Patrick Sheehan
Marybeth Kurnat, Vocal Soloist
Winter Wonderland Felix Bernard arr. Calvin Custer
Stille Nacht Franz Gruber arr. Chip Davis & Calvin Custer
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane transc. Patrick Sheehan
Marybeth Kurnat, Vocal Soloist
Hallelujah Chorus from “Messiah” George Frideric Handel arr. Joseph T. Spaniola
Audience participation encouraged
Post-concert music was provided by the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet
The concert may be viewed here beginning Saturday, December 12, 2020, 7:00 p.m..
Note: Changes in programs, dates, times, and location of concerts will be posted at this website.
