Illinois Valley Community College is set to launch its fall music season with a pair of free concerts at the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre. The Jazz Ensemble will take the stage on September 30th, followed by the Wind Ensemble’s performance on October 2nd; both concerts begin at 7 PM. Both concerts feature a blend of community and student musicians presenting a variety of jazz and wind selections. Concertgoers can expect lively performances showcasing the talent and dedication of local artists. These events aim to foster appreciation for music while bringing together musicians and the public in a shared celebration of the arts.
The Jazz concert spotlights a rich blend of classics, from Quincy Jones and Sammy Nestico to the timeless melodies of the Sherman Brothers and Jobim’s enduring bossa nova. Audience members will be treated to “Hard Sock Dance,” showcasing Ben Gibson’s piano and John Fragoulis’s guitar. “Shangri-La” highlights Diane Nelson on tenor sax, while “The Girl from Ipanema” shines with Gibson, Alton Beck, and Laurie Smudzinski. Fred Davis lends his voice to “Someday (You’ll Want Me to Want You).” The concert also features “When I Fall in Love,” “The Lady in Red,” and a lively “I Wanna Be Like You.”
Music lovers are in for a treat as the Wind Ensemble presents an eclectic concert lineup, featuring beloved selections from “Les Misérables” and iconic works by Leonard Bernstein, Edwin Franko Goldman, William Walton, Leroy Anderson, and Robert Smith. Local pride will be front and center with Robert Sheldon’s “The Red Covered Bridge,” composed in honor of Princeton’s historic crossing. The program also includes energetic pieces such as “The Chimes of Liberty,” “Crown Imperial,” “March of the Two Left Feet,” Bernstein’s “Overture to ‘Candide,’” and “Sensei’s Ride on the Cherry Blossom Express,” promising an unforgettable evening for the community.
The Illinois Valley Community College will ring in the season with a series of free holiday concerts this December at the Cultural Centre. Festivities kick off with the Choir, directed by Jenilyn Roether, on December 1st. The Jazz Ensemble, under Brandon Czubachowski, follows on December 2nd, and the Wind Ensemble, conducted by Phil Whaley, wraps up the celebrations on December 4th. Each event starts at 7 p.m. Both community members and students will showcase their talents in these performances, offering a wide array of seasonal sounds and holiday spirit for all who attend.
