The Illinois Symphony Orchestra has announced a new series of performances to celebrate the coming of the spring season:
Feel the rhythm of our sensational strings at Serenade of Strings concerts!
Waltz into spring with Tchaikovsky’s lush and powerful Serenade for Strings and William Grant Still’s vibrant folk rhythms of Danzas de Panama. Yasushi Akutagawa’s fiery Triptyque for Strings will captivate audiences of all ages.
Join us for Serenade of Strings led by Music Director Taichi Fukumura on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois and Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, Illinois. Concert starts at 7:30 PM and a post-concert discussion will immediately follow the performance.
Order your tickets today! Tickets may be purchased in Springfield through the UIS Ticket Office at (217) 206-6160 or in Bloomington-Normal through the ISU Center for the Performing Arts at (309) 438-2535. You can also order tickets online at ilsymphony.org/serenade. General admission is $30 and students (24 & under) are $10. Ticket price doesn’t include online ticketing fees.
Director Taichi Fukumura is a rising Japanese-American conductor. Acclaimed for his dynamic stage presence and musical finesse, he is the Second Prize Winner of the 2023 Mahler Competition and a four-time recipient of the Solti Foundation’s US Career Assistance Award 2021-2024.
Fukumura was recently named Music Director of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, following two guest conducting appearances as part of an international search. He began his role earlier this season as the orchestra’s fifth music director.
Other highlights of the 24/25 season include his guest conducting debut with the Bamberg Symphony, and returning to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra as guest conductor after leading the orchestra in over 110 concerts as Assistant Conductor appointed by Music Director Robert Spano. Fukumura is also Music Director Finalist of the Eugene Symphony, Delaware Symphony, and Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and will guest conduct each during the 24/25 season. Additionally, he will return to the Aspen Music Festival as guest assistant conductor for the opening week of summer 2024.
Serenade of Strings is sponsored by season sponsors The Landmark Automotive Group and Debra & Daniel Brownstone, M.D. and series sponsor Kathryn Ransom. The program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
