Celebrating Abraham Lincoln

On of the highlights of this SISO season is the bicentennial tribute to the Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln. His birthday in February will be celebrated in musical tribute with Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, narrated by a soon to be announced distinguished Illinoisan.  In addition to our salute to Lincoln we will pay tribute to the birth of our nation with a tribute to the Bill of Rights composed by distinguished SIUC alumnus, Glen Daum. Plus, there will be world premiere performances of a specially commissioned work by Jim Stephenson to commemorate the 200th anniversaries of the birth of Lincoln and Darwin and the death of Haydn. The program will conclude Antonin Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony which celebrates our American heritage throughout.  Mark your calendars for Friday, February 13 at 7:30pm for this historical event with the SISO in Shryock Auditorium.

Two Special Pre-Concert Events!

Replacing our annual auction/dinner fundraiser are two special events.* A “Gala Opening Night” reception is planned from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 23 before the opening night concert. Join us for a glass of wine and some appetizers in Altgeld’s beautiful courtyard. If weather is inclement we will be in the upstairs lobby at Shryock. An elegant pre-concert dinner will celebrate President Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday (one day late) on Feb. 13 in the Old Main Dining Room. There may be a couple of special guests there, so reserve your seats and help make this yet another memorable symphony season.

*In furtherance of the goals of Southern at 150, SIUC and the SIU Foundation retain six percent of all gifts to strengthen the advancement program.