April 19, 2011

Performances to feature student ensembles

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The School of Music at Southern Illinois University Carbondale offers two end-of-the-academic-year performances from student ensembles this week.

On Thursday, April 21, the Southern Illinois Civic Orchestra and the SIUC Symphonic Band join forces for a performance at Shryock Auditorium. The ensembles will take the stage singly, and then will combine with Eric Mandat, Distinguished Scholar and professor of clarinet, as a guest soloist.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with tickets available at the box office beginning one hour before the performance. Tickets are available in advance at the box office during office hours, or through SouthernTicketsOnline.com. General admission is $12, with student admission at $6.

The Southern Illinois Flute Choir offers a free performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22, at the First United Methodist Church, located at 214 W. Main St. in Carbondale.

The Southern Illinois Civic Orchestra is a School of Music ensemble that welcomes young musicians from surrounding communities. The ensemble is under the direction of Aurélien Pétillot, who, besides directing the ensemble, also teaches viola, music history and understanding, and participates in faculty ensembles and recitals.

The SIUC Symphonic Band takes its lead from George Brozak, who also heads up the Marching Salukis. The ensemble is the School of Music’s large band and wind ensemble. Membership is open to SIUC students, regardless of major, but with previous performance experience.

The Southern Illinois Flute Choir is a one of the school’s newer ensembles, and includes community members as well as SIUC students. Douglas Worthen, lecturer in flute and music history, conducts.