The Clinton Symphony Orchestra’s Concert for Sunday, January 14, 2024, has been postponed, due to snow and cold temperatures. Watch for a press update on thecity1.com, or check the Symphony’s web page at www.clintonsymphony.org, or their Facebook page.
Photographed at a rehearsal of Clinton Symphony Orchestra are Illinois musicians, left-to-right, violinist Asa Church (Sterling); pianist Nadia Wirschnianski (Lanark); cellist Ann Balderson (Rock Island.) All are regular performers with CSO. Their trio music was composed 148 years ago, in January 1876, and first performed with the Czech composer Antonin Dvorak at the piano.
Musicians of the Clinton Symphony Orchestra and their friends will present their annual “Music of Friendships” concert of Chamber Music, at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton, IA. The concert is the fourth event in the Symphony’s 70th Anniversary season.
On the program are
1. a piano trio (piano, violin, cello) by Antonin Dvorak
2. five Madrigals from the 16th century, sung by a quartet of musicians from RiverChor
3. a woodwind quintet by Afro-American composer William Grant Still.
The Madrigal Quartet is composed of soprano Brooke Logan; alto Sara Dunne; tenor Noah Strausser; bass Karl Wolf. All are members of Clinton’s RiverChor. Wolf is their Conductor and is Secretary of the Symphony’s Board of Directors. Logan is RiverChor’s Manager and a member of the Symphony’s trumpet section. They have chosen five, spirited madrigals for this performance.
William Grant Still broke many barriers. He is the first Afro-American to write orchestral works and have them performed by major symphony orchestras, as well as the first Afro-American to lead a major American symphony. Flutist Crystal Duffee, oboist Tamara Byram Mahl, clarinetist Elizabeth Matera, bassoonist Thomas Wood, and French hornist Bianca Sierra will perform Still’s “Miniatures for Woodwind Quintet.” All are regular musicians of the CSO. The “Miniatures” include three folk melodies from the USA, one from Mexico, and one from Peru.
“It’s a wonderfully warm way to spend a cold January afternoon,” Executive Director Robert Whipple said. “It’s music written for friends, to be played by and heard by friends.”
Tickets are available at the door at $20 for adults. All students are admitted free of charge. An adult accompanying a student is admitted for half-price. Season ticket holders are also admitted at no additional charge.
Full information, including program notes for the music and biographical sketches of the musicians, visit the Symphony’s website at www.clintonsymphony.org.