The East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra will present its winter concert Sunday evening at Smith Memorial Hall on the University of Illinois campus. The free performance features major works from the professional orchestral repertoire, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
Members of the East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra performed at Smith Recital Hall in Urbana during their 2022 Winter Concert. The orchestra will perform again this Sunday.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
URBANA - Forget watered-down arrangements. When the East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra takes the stage tomorrow evening, a dedicated group of high school musicians will be tackling the same complex pieces performed by professional symphonies. Showcasing the Champaign-Urbana's top classical-trained youth musical talent, the East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra will present its winter concert Sunday evening on the University of Illinois campus, offering the community an opportunity to hear a full symphonic program performed by local high school musicians. Sunday’s concert offers audiences a chance to hear young musicians tackle major works of the orchestral canon while showcasing the depth of musical training available to students across the region. Music Director Kevin Kelly said the music selected for the concert reflects the orchestra’s commitment to performing authentic orchestral literature rather than simplified arrangements. Students musicians have been preparing vigorously for the performance since mid-September. “The music we play is taken from the professional orchestral literature—not generally arranged specifically for young people,” he said. “So it’s always a special challenge. The students have been working hard since mid-September.” The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, at Smith Memorial Hall in Urbana. Admission is free. The evening’s program features a range of well-known orchestral works drawn from the professional repertoire. Selections include Otto Nicolai’s Overture to The Merry Wives of Windsor, Maurice Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte, Amilcare Ponchielli’s Dance of the Hours from La Gioconda, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. The orchestra is made up of 57 high school students from across East Central Illinois. Participants come from Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, Monticello, Fisher, Danville and several other nearby communities. Kelly, who is in his 33rd season guiding the youth orchestra, said one of the most rewarding aspects of the program is working with a group that changes each year as students graduate and new musicians join. “I believe this is my 33rd season with the youth orchestra. I love teaching great orchestral music to eager, talented, motivated young musicians,” Kelly said. “I enjoy the eagerness with which they absorb and dedicate themselves to this music, and also their lively interactions with each other. It’s essentially a new group each year, as students graduate from high school and new ones join the orchestra.” Nearly all members of the orchestra take private lessons with professional musicians throughout the region. The ensemble rehearses every Sunday afternoon during the school year, and students pay tuition to participate. The East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra operates as a program of The Conservatory of Central Illinois in Champaign. Kelly added: “I think their performance will well deserve your attendance, if you have the time and inclination.”