UIS Music Program presents Fall Showcase Concert featuring guest conductors and music favorites

The University of Illinois Springfield Music Program presents its annual Fall Showcase Concert featuring performances by the UIS chorus, chamber orchestra, and band.

The performance is Friday, December 5, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sangamon Auditorium.

The concert will feature songs by John Lennon and Franz Schubert, a march featuring the UIS Band trombone section, as well as a piano soloist, cello soloist, and guest composer and conductor.

Highlights include Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with a piano solo by UIS faculty member Pei-I Wang, as well as traditional work “Follow the Drinking Gourd”, which brings the UIS Chorus and Chamber Orchestra together under the baton of composer and guest conductor Tyron Cooper.

The chorus, under the direction of UIS Associate Professor Sharon Graf, will open the showcase with “Carol of the Bells” by Leontovich/Wilhousky.

Directed by UIS Assistant Professor Yona Stamatis, the chamber orchestra will perform selections including “Longa Rihad” by Riad Al-Sunbati and “Kol Nidre Op. 47” by Max Bruch, featuring cello soloist Martin Laufhutte.

Finally, UIS Applied Music Specialist Abigail Walsh will lead the band through selections including “American Barndance” by Richard L. Saucedo and “Arabesque” by Samuel R. Hazo.

Donations are welcome and will be used to benefit the UIS Music Student Merit Award.

The UIS Fall Showcase is comprised of students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as Springfield community members, all with a variety of skill levels.

Anyone who is interested in joining any of the performance ensembles, including the UIS chorus, band or chamber orchestra may contact Abigail Walsh at 217/206-7549 or music@uis.edu.

The performances are free and open to the public.