February 26, 2015
Students take the spotlight in ‘Stars of Altgeld’
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The annual “Stars of Altgeld” concert at Shryock Auditorium features the winners of the School of Music Solo Competition. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3.
This year’s School of Music Solo Competition winners are Laura Kucharik, a graduate student from Marion, and Madeline Rogers of Eldorado. Kucharik is a mezzo soprano and a student of David Dillard, opera performer and associate professor of voice. Rogers is a senior student of Junghwa Lee, associate professor of piano and noted performer.
The two will solo with the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, performing music by Rossini and Beethoven. Also on the program is the “William Tell” Overture and Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony, all under the direction of guest conductor, Massimiliano Donninelli, artistic director of the Italian National Youth Orchestra. Donninelli is also music director of the Zauberorcherstra of Trieste, Italy. He serves on the music faculties of the Tartini Conservatory in Trieste and the Mascagni Institute in Livorno, Italy.
A companion concert targeting young listeners is the same day, beginning at 10 a.m. in Shryock Auditorium. Klassics for Kids is a learning and music appreciation program catering to young audiences. Families, educators and caregivers are encouraged to bring children from pre-kindergarten up through grade school to this free event.
Tickets for the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s “Stars of Altgeld” concert are $20 for general admission. SIU students are admitted free, but they must go to the box office to obtain a ticket. Tickets for all other students of any age are $8. To purchase tickets in advance, go in person to the SIU Arena or McLeod Theater box offices, call 618/453-6000 or go online to the SIU Ticket Office. Tickets are available at the Shryock Auditorium box office beginning one hour before the concert.