The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra is returning to live performances for its 2021-22 season of seven concerts.
Before the season opens, IPO will present a Sept. 22 concert of works by new composers prepared for the IPO composition competition. Three finalists will have their original score workshopped and performed live in front of an IPO audience. Additionally, the winning composer will be named IPO “Composer-in-Residence” and have the opportunity to compose three works during the 2022-2023 season.
The scheduled classical music performances for the regular season are Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Feb. 19, March 12, April 30 and May 14 with a holiday program on Dec. 11. In addition, the orchestra will perform a number of educational youth offerings during the year.
Concerts will feature IPO principal musicians and guest artists, including violinist Rachel Barton Pine, pianist William Wolfram and The Joffrey Academy of Dance, the official school of The Joffrey Ballet.
Maestro Stilian Kirov will conduct the IPO at its venue at Ozinga Chapel on the campus of Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Drive in Palos Heights.
“We are all looking forward to being back in our concert hall with in-person concerts and sharing unforgettable musical journeys together,” Kirov said. “The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra keeps growing tremendously as we managed not only to survive during the challenging pandemic times but also to thrive and keep bringing music to our audiences. The new season includes many inspiring programs and collaborations with distinguished organizations.”
The opening night concert at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 16 starts the IPO’s 44th season and will be an American composers program featuring works by Copland, Ewazen and Price and a performance by The Joffrey Academy of Dance. The concert will be followed by dinner and a mix and mingle event with the musicians at Palos Country Club, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The Nov. 13 concert at 7:30 p.m. will feature works by Mozart and Beethoven.
The holiday performance at 3 p.m. Dec. 11 will feature the holiday classic “The Snowman,” a magical journey of Raymond Briggs’ famous story with narration.
The Feb. 19 performance at 7:30 p.m. will feature works by Still, Bologne and Dvorak with a guest performance by Rachel Barton Pine, world renowned violinist.
The March 12 performance at 3 p.m. will feature the works of Abels, Ravel and a world premiere of “Gwendolyn Brooks Settings,” a co-commission with Anima-Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus by Pulitzer Prize finalist Augusta Read Thomas utilizing poems from Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks’ “Bronzeville Boys and Girls,” alongside “Get Out” movie composer Michael Abels’ “Frederick’s Fables.”
The April 30 performance at 7:30 p.m. will be an all Brahms program featuring three Brahms pieces.
The final program May 14 at 7:30 p.m. will feature works by Horst, Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov and will include a performance by world renowned pianist William Wolfram for Tchaikovsky’s vibrant Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 75/79.
For details on each of these concerts, visit the IPO website at ipomusic.org.
Concert single tickets start at $27. Student tickets are $10, and group tickets are available with a minimum of seven patrons. Ticketing fees may apply. To order, or for more information, visit ipomusic.org or call 708-481-7774.
IPO Ozinga Chapel box office opens one hour before the performance on concert night.
Subscription packages are available for the 2021-2022 season.
Named the 2020 “Illinois Professional Orchestra of the Year” by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. The mission of IPO is to provide concerts of compelling professional symphonic music, support music education, and expand audience awareness of musical excellence for the diverse communities of the greater Chicago region.
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra is supported in part by: Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, Ozinga Foundation, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.