Naperville man to conduct Joliet Symphony 'Beethoven Masterworks'
The Joliet Symphony Orchestra at the University of St. Francis is ready to celebrate the season at its seventh annual Holiday Concert with new conductor Jim Stopher of Naperville, titled “The Orchestral Masterworks of Beethoven,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 in the Sexton Auditorium in the University's Moser Performing Arts Center, 500 Wilcox St. in Joliet.
Stopher is a winner of the annual International Conductors Workshop and Competition, and was named a finalist for the Conductors Guild's biennial Thelma E. Robinson Award. He has served as cover conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, as conductor for the Baltimore-based Figaro Project, and has participated in various conducting workshops and festivals nationwide. He is a trained pianist and active composer, holding degrees from Harvard University (BA), the University of Arizona (MM), and the Peabody Conservatory (DMA).
Program includes Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Elegischer Gesang, Op. 118 (performed with members of the USF Schola Cantorum; Dr. Patrick Brannon, director) and Symphony No. 7 in A Major. The concert will also feature selections from JSO's first ever Flute Choir. Audience members might want to bring their singing voices along to help celebrate the season as a special finale to the concert!
Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and USF students are admitted free. For ticket reservations or information, call (815) 740-3520.
The Joliet Symphony Orchestra at the University of St. Francis, founded in 2005 as a university-community partnership, performs varied works for orchestra and is open to USF students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the area community. Former music directors include Michael Sundblad (founding conductor) and Clifford Hunt. The orchestra is governed by a board of directors comprised of the music director, several players, and community members. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings, 7-9:30pm, in the Sexton Auditorium of the Moser Performing Arts Center at USF. Spring 2012 rehearsals begin on Wednesday, January 18. For more information on events or membership, visit www.jolietsymphonyorchestra.org.