The new year means the Knox-Galesburg Symphony is preparing for the Spring portion of their 2024-2025 season. Conductor Kedrick Armstrong looks forward to returning to Galesburg for concerts in February, March, and June. “We have an incredible group of dedicated musicians who travel to Galesburg from all over the Midwest to bring our community inspiring concerts,” Kedrick shares. In addition to players from Galesburg area, Symphony members travel from Macomb, Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Omaha, Iowa City, and more to bring symphonic music to life right here in Galesburg.
On Saturday, February 22, the Symphony celebrates Black History Month with a special concert and conversation: “Celebrating Black Voices in Classical Music.” The program features New York City-based soprano Melissa Joseph performing Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915.” In addition to this well-known work, the program includes pieces written by two Nigerian composers from very different time periods. The concert opens with Fela Sowande’s “African Suite for Strings.” After intermission, Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney will facilitate a discussion with Kedrick Armstrong, Melissa Joseph, and Pippi Ardennia that explores what it means to be a Black musician today. After this conversation, the concert closes with a powerful work written by Nkeiru Okoye and narrated by Pippi Ardennia titled “The Journey of Phyllis Wheatley.”
March brings an exciting new program for the Symphony: a side-by-side performance with Symphony members and local high school musicians. On March 15, students from several local high schools will join members of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony wind and brass sections for a day of music. Morning and afternoon rehearsals with professional musicians will give students an up-close look at preparing concerts. That evening there will be a performance that features these students. This concert will take place at Hegg Performing Arts Center at Galesburg High School.
On Saturday, June 21, the Symphony will close the 2024-2025 season with a concert called “The American Sound.” Antonín Dvořák once said while listening to spirituals sung by composer HT Burleigh, “In the negro melodies of America, I discover all that is needed for a great and noble school of music.” The “great and noble” school of American music owes much to Dvořák, whose ninth symphony, “From the New World,” is one of classical music’s greatest hits. However, many cultural and racial minority groups have and continue to shape the course of American classical music. Our season finale showcases the origin of the famous “Jaws” theme alongside composers Carlos Simon and Joan Tower, who influence today’s American classical sound.
In addition to these Symphony Series concerts, look for upcoming announcements of our Spring 2025 Community Series chamber music concerts at locations throughout the area. Don’t miss an opportunity to experience the power of live music right here at home.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.kgsymphony.org or call the Symphony at 309-381-3810. Tickets can be purchased in-person at The Orpheum Theatre Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Adult tickets start at $20 and all student tickets are $5.
This season is made possible, in part, by major support from the Illinois Arts Council, the City of Galesburg, Blick Art Materials, the Mark & Celia Godsil Family Donor Advised Fund, the Anna Sophia Johnson Charitable Fund, and the Galesburg Community Foundation, in addition to many generous supporters throughout the region.
***Courtesy of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony***
