Back by popular demand, the Rising Star Showcase spotlights six gifted student musicians in concert at 4:30 p.m., April 12, at the Prairie State College Auditorium.
Presented by Friends of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, this fifth Rising Star Showcase presents “performance-ready” young artists from throughout the region, each recommended for this event by his or her music instructor, said Flossmoor resident Dory Machtinger, Friends of the IPO president.
“While Southland youngsters often do not have the performance opportunities of some communities, these promising musicians demonstrate remarkable talents, as strong and perhaps stronger than one would find in any Chicagoland community,” Machtinger said.
“They deserve the opportunity to perform for our music-lovers and our community certainly merits the chance to see and hear phenomenal young artists whose futures will touch the highest notes.”
Rising Stars from previous years have gone on to a variety of achievements. Most attend or have studied at famous music conservatories including the Juilliard School. Matt Lipman dazzled the audience with his viola performance a few years ago and now studies with the legendary Itzhak Perlman. Other young performers have graduated to professional careers in music and virtually all earlier Rising Stars continue to soar as they follow their passion.
The program features Kayla Cabrera, 16, of Crete, on viola; Lucie Ticho, 17, from Hinsdale on cello; and Elizabeth Ridgeway, 17, of Shorewood on piano.
Three young men are Rising Stars as well, and they include Amer Hasan of Tinley Park on clarinet; tenor Lance Joseph of Country Club Hills, who currently studies voice and opera at Prairie State College; and Carl Sandburg senior Conal McNamara of Orland Park on French horn.
Tickets are only $10 for adults and free for students. Information and reservations are with the IPO at 708-481-7774. Tickets also will be sold at the door which opens at 4 p.m. Prairie State College is at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights.