November 09, 2009

Concert will commemorate Veterans Day

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joins the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for a special musical presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium, and commemorates Veterans Day with a unique program of American music. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $6 for students.

Madigan joins the orchestra with a reading of the Bill of Rights, comprised of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. The orchestra will accompany the reading with “Sentinels of Freedom,” a work commissioned from SIU Distinguished Alum Glen Daum for a traveling display of the Bill of Rights.

The program also includes “Toward the Splendid City,” composed by contemporary composer Richard Danielpour. He wrote the piece for the New York Philharmonic, and claimed New York City and the Beatles as his inspiration. SISO conductor Edward Benyas described the work as a “tour de force for the orchestra’s brass and percussion.”

The main work for the performance features the School of Music’s own Junghwa Lee on piano for a piano concert composed by Edward MacDowell. The work is an example of the Romantic era in musical composition.

Other works, including Ferde Grofé’s “Grand Canyon Suite,” round out the program.

Tickets benefit the School of Music scholarship and visiting artist programs. Tickets are available in advance at Shryock Auditorium or at the ticket offices in the SIU Arena or the Student Center. Tickets are available at the door beginning one hour before the performance begins.

The orchestra also presents a Klassics for Kids version of the performance at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10. This free performance, held in Shryock Auditorium, appeals to children of school age. Reservations are not needed to attend this event.