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.
The orchestra had planned a full 44th season, with four concerts in the fall part of the season (October – December 2020) and three concerts in the spring portion of the season (February – May 2021). However, the current coronavirus pandemic restrictions on public gatherings have caused the KSO Board of Directors to cancel the fall concerts. Discussion will continue in order to determine the orchestra’s future performances, considering the top priorities of health and safety for its musicians, staff, and patrons.
“We appreciate the ongoing support we have received from the community,” says Ann Tucker, KSO president. “When we are able to gather safely again, we will celebrate with amazing live music.”
Instead of providing live concerts for our appreciative audiences, the orchestra plans to provide access to recordings of KSO musical performances via the Internet through at least December. Please visit this website and stay in touch on our social media channels, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/kishorchestra) and Instagram, where we’ll provide updates and share ways to engage with art and culture from home.
The following concert videos will be available beginning on the dates and times indicated and will remain available at least until the end of 2020:
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)
I. Largo – Allegro moderato
II. Allegro molto
III. Adagio
IV. 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
I. Vivace
II. Allegro
III. Adagio – Allegro – Adagio
IV. Vivace
V. Allegro
VI. 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
I. 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.
