Adventure abounds as the Illinois Symphony Orchestra (ISO) takes you on an exhilarating musical journey! From Tchaikovsky’s fiery Fourth Symphony to Prokofiev’s vibrant Third Piano Concerto, to the zany tunes from your favorite animated characters, this season has something for everyone!
Led by four distinguished guest conductors vying to become the ISO’s next Music Director, your acclaimed Illinois Symphony Orchestra is joined by world-renowned guest artists in a season that is sure to leave you wanting more. It’s your turn to be part of the ISO’s legacy by helping us choose our next Music Director!
Now is the time to buy your tickets to experience the transformative power of live music and participate in the decision-making process. Check out all this season has to offer and get your tickets TODAY! Season and single tickets on sale.
Get your seats NOW! Season and single tickets may be purchased in Springfield through the UIS Ticket Office at 217-206-6160 and in Normal through the ISU Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Office at 309-438-2535 or online at ilsymphony.org. Senior and group discounts are also available.
2023-2024 Season Schedule | Adventure Awaits!
Fire & Fanfare, Symphony Orchestra
With Conductor Taichi Fukumura and Cellist Brannon Cho
Márquez Danzón No. 2 – Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 – Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4
Friday, October 20, 2023 @ 7:30 PM | UIS Performing Arts Center, Springfield, IL
Saturday, October 21, 2023 @ 7:30 PM | ISU Center for the Performing Arts, Normal, IL
Join us 1 hour prior to the concert for Concert Comments and then stay after for our Play On After Party!
Romantic Rendezvous, Symphony Orchestra
With Conductor Yaniv Dinur and Pianist Alexander Korsantia
Hailstork An American Port of Call – Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3
Hanson Symphony No. 2 “Romantic” – Williams Flying Theme from ET
Saturday, November 4, 2023 @ 7:30 PM | ISU Center for the Performing Arts, Normal, IL
Sunday, November 5, 2023 @ 3:00 PM | UIS Performing Arts Center, Springfield, IL
Join us 1 hour prior to the concert for Concert Comments and then stay after for our Play On After Party!
Sizzling Strings, Chamber Orchestra
With Conductor Naomi Woo and Violinist Roy Meyer
Shaw Entr’acte – Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 – Beethoven Grosse Fuge
Friday, December 1, 2023 @ 7:30 PM | First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, IL
Saturday, December 2, 2023 @ 7:30 PM | Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IL
Join us following the concert for Coda Conversations.
Holiday Pops in the Heartland, Pops Concert
With Conductor Taichi Fukumura and Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony, Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestras, Springfield Choral Society, Springfield Youth Performance Group
Friday, December 15, 2023 @ 7:30 PM | UIS Performing Arts Center, Springfield, IL
Saturday, December 16, 2023 @ 7:30 PM | ISU Center for the Performing Arts, Normal, IL
Tunes from the Toons!, Pops Concert
With Conductor Yaniv Dinur
Friday, January 26, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | UIS Performing Arts Center, Springfield, IL
Saturday, January 27, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | ISU Center for the Performing Arts, Normal, IL
Captivating Contrasts, Symphony Orchestra
With Conductor Tania Miller and Violinist Timothy Chooi
Beethoven Leonore Overture #3 – Barber Violin Concerto – Nielsen Symphony No. 5
Friday, February 16, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | UIS Performing Arts Center, Springfield, IL
Saturday, February 17, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | ISU Center for the Performing Arts, Normal, IL
Join us 1 hour prior to the concert for Concert Comments and then stay after for our Play On After Party!
Lush & Lyrical, Chamber Orchestra
With Conductor Tania Miller and Oboist Russell Hoffman
Elgar Introduction and Allegro – Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto – Schubert Symphony No. 5
Friday, April 12, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, IL
Saturday, April 13, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IL
Join us following the concert for Coda Conversations.
Opposites Attract, Symphony Orchestra
With Conductor Naomi Woo and Pianist Joyce Yang
Saariaho Light and Matter – Grieg Piano Concerto – Boulanger Of a Sad Evening – Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber
Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | UIS Performing Arts Center, Springfield, IL
Saturday, May 4, 2024 @ 7:30 PM | ISU Center for the Performing Arts, Normal, IL
Join us 1 hour prior to the concert for Concert Comments and then stay after for our Play On After Party!
Who will be our next music director? Meet the Candidates!
Yaniv Dinur, Music Director of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra
“I’m excited to conduct three pieces that have become landmarks of 20th century music, and that are so different from each other – romantic, virtuosic, jazzy. The second program is another love of mine – cartoons! I can’t wait to bring these programs to life with the musicians of the ISO.”
Taichi Fukumura, Assistant Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
“I am thrilled to return to Illinois – collaborating with the ISO and so many wonderful organizations to share the magic of music with the communities of Springfield and Bloomington-Normal. See you soon!”
Tania Miller, Music Director Emerita of Canada’s Victoria Symphony and interim Principal Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic
“I’m so looking forward to working with the Illinois Symphony, and together with them, to share extraordinary music with all of you!”
Naomi Woo, Artistic Partner, Orchestre Metropolitan, Montreal and Assistant Conductor, Philadelphia Orchestra, 2024-2025 season
“I believe in the potential for orchestras to be cultural and social pillars in their communities, making music with and for the widest range of people possible. I look forward to getting to know the ISO family and community through this special relationship formed via live music.”
The 2023-2024 season is sponsored by The Landmark Automotive Group and Debra & Daniel Brownstone, M.D.
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra is central Illinois’ largest professional orchestra serving over 35,000 patrons in the communities of Bloomington-Normal, Springfield and the surrounding region with symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, and Concerts for Kids series in each community. In addition to concert performances, the Orchestra’s music education and outreach programs serve pre-K and elementary schools through the Itsy Arts and Music Matters education programs and reach middle schools, high schools, universities, community organizations and senior centers through guest artist residencies and musician and ensemble performances. The ISO also has an active Around the Town Chamber Music Series and virtual Sunday at Six Recital Series. The Illinois Symphony Orchestra has a budget of approximately $1.3 million.
In July 2020, the ISO acquired the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony (SVYS) organization that was started in the early 1970s by parents, music teachers and musicians to keep string programs and youth orchestra in Springfield and surrounding communities following the elimination of all school orchestra programs. Now, the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestras (ISYO) programs consist of Starter and Junior Strings, Preparatory Orchestra, Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra serving over 150 students. The ISO also has a partnership in education and community engagement (PEACE) with the UIS-School of Music and Illinois State University’s Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and School of Music.
Additional information about the Illinois Symphony Orchestra is available at www.ilsymphony.org.
The ISO is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
