Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra opening concert "Inspired by Shakespeare"
The Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra (MDSO) will kick off its 2017-2018 performance season with an opening night concert "Inspired by Shakespeare" on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. in Kirkland Fine Arts Center on Millikin University's campus.
The MDSO 2017-2018 season officially opens with an evening of romantic tragedy inspired by the Bard himself. The orchestra pairs Tchaikovsky's "Fantasy" with Prokofiev's "Ballet," both retelling the story of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. In the midst of these two masterpieces stands Shostakovich's transcendent "Second Piano Concerto," featuring an "astonishing" and "uplifting" performance by special guest pianist, Ilya Yakushev.
The MDSO's performance of Prokofiev's selections from the Romeo and Juliet Ballet will feature dancers Luiza Boaventura and Noah Hart from the Alabama Ballet.
Russian pianist Ilya Yakushev continues to astound and mesmerize audiences at major venues on three continents.
Highlights of Yakushev's 2017-2018 season include return appearances with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Edmonton Symphony, Las Cruces Symphony and Reading Symphony, as well as performances with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra and Johnstown Symphony. He will also play recitals in Texas, Louisiana, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.
Winner of the 2005 World Piano Competition, which took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, Yakushev received his first award at age 12 as a prizewinner of the Young Artists Concerto Competition in his native St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1997, he received the Mayor of St. Petersburg's Young Talents award, and won First Prize at the Donostia Hiria International Piano Competition in San Sebastian, Spain. In 1998, he received the Award for Excellence in Performance, presented to him by the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation in Moscow. Most recently, Yakushev became a recipient of the prestigious Gawon International Music Society's Award in Seoul, Korea.
The Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra is an ensemble comprised of faculty, hired professionals, and is open to students who successfully audition for the Millikin University School of Music. The MDSO performs the annual Labor Day Pops concert, five Masterworks concerts, advent services, and hosts high-profile guest artists and the concerto/aria competition.
Selected students also have the opportunity to play for musical theatre productions and various community and educational events. Membership in MDSO places a high demand on students who gain hands-on experience by playing side-by-side with faculty and other professionals in a nurturing environment.
Tickets for the concert are $10-$20 and are available through the Kirkland Fine Arts Center Ticket Office by phone at 217.424.6318 or online at kirklandfinearts.com. Kirkland Ticket Office hours are Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. A $2.50 fee will be charged for credit card purchases. This is a per transaction fee, not per ticket, and applies to online and Ticket Office orders.
MDSO Upcoming Concerts
Masterworks II
Oct. 22, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Music of John Williams featuring Polish Violinist Kinga Augustyn
Ticket prices: $10-$15-$20
The Great Russian Nutcracker
Nov. 4, 2017, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker" ushers in the holiday season with two collaborative performances from Kirkland Fine Arts Center and the MDSO Masterworks Series. Enjoy the immersive Christmas classic with 40 professional dancers, hand-selected area young dancers, a local children's choir, and a full musical accompaniment from the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra.
Ticket prices: $35-$45-$65
K-12 student tickets: $10 with paid adult (Discount not available online)
Concerts of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.