Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra (MDSO)
The Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra was created by the convergence of an established community orchestra with the Millikin University Orchestra in the early 1920’s. The scope of the Symphony’s services and activities were expanded in 1975 with the formation of the Symphony Guild of Decatur, a non-profit support organization representing the wider community. This partnership has allowed the MDSO to provide an ever-expanding galaxy of cultural benefits to central Illinois in the last quarter century, including symphony concerts for audiences of all types, the co-sponsorship of the Decatur Youth Orchestra, youth scholarships for private lessons and summer music camps, in-school programs, a competition for University soloists, clinics, workshops, master classes with guest artists, and partnerships with the music programs of area schools. For the first two decades of this period, the orchestra was conducted by the successive Deans of the Millikin University School of Music, Ronald Gregory and Wesley Tower.
An important new stage of growth began in 1996 with the creation of a full-time position for a professional Music Director and Conductor, a position that was filled with the appointment of Dr. Michael Luxner. Since that time, the orchestra has converted from a college-community model to a fully auditioned professional model. Working conditions, pay scale, rehearsal schedules, travel allowances, and repertoire are now on a par with other professional ensembles in the region, and the orchestra’s student members are trained in a professional environment and standard of performance.
The MDSO is also intensely engaged in efforts to build new audiences and to raise the Orchestra’s profile in the wider community. Initiatives in this area include outreach concerts, media appearances, contract services, publications, speaking engagements, and new partnerships with underserved constituencies. Building on a venerable history and unique spirit of town and gown cooperation, the Millikin-Decatur Symphony looks forward to a distinguished future of artistic achievement and community pride.
2008-2009 Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra Season
Click here for the complete schedule including programs.
Opening Night featuring Michelle Lee
www.vincaquartet.com/michelle.html
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Tickets: $13-$16.50
Opening night is a spectacularly colorful evening of audience favorites, featuring violin virtuoso and Decatur native Michelle Lee. Selections include Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, Ravel's Tzigane, Saint-Saens' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.
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The Planets featuring Gabriel Cabezas
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Tickets: $13-$16.50
Following the performance of “The Planets,” Millikin’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Society of Physics Students will be hosting a special public observation night of stargazing. Weather permitting, audience members will be able to proceed directly from the concert to the Observatory in the Leighty-Tabor Science Center, right next to the Kirkland Fine Arts Center, to see Jupiter, king of the planets and currently the brightest object in the southern sky, along with its four largest moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
Millikin astrophysicist Casey Watson will also deliver the evening’s Concert Preview, at 6:45 PM in the Kirkland lecture room, right before the 7:30 concert. Professor Watson’s program, “The Planets: Our Solar System and Beyond,” will include pictures and slides about our solar system as well as planets orbiting other stars. The Concert Preview and post-concert Stargazing are free and open to the public.
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Little Women
Music by Jason Howland
Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein
November 14-15, 2008 - 7:30 p.m.
November 16, 2008 - 2:00 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Tickets: $16-$19.50
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Holiday Pops Concert
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Tickets: Adult: $12-$15 Child $6-$10
Bring the entire family to listen to Holiday favorites including Tchaikovsky's Nutrcracker Suite, Berlin's White Christmas, Vaughan Williams' Greensleeves Fantasy, and many more.
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January 24, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Tickets: $16-$19.50
The annual midwinter celebration of young talent, features the winners of Millikin University's Concerto/Aria competition and the premiere of The Premonition of Abraham Lincoln by prolific Illinois composer and Millikin University alum Michael Karasis, with narrator Stephen Fiol.
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Oratorio featuring Sherezade Panthaki 
March 28, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Tickets: $16-$19.50
The Millikin Choral Union and soprano Sherezade Panthaki join the Symphony for the sublime Gloria of Francis Poulenc and major works by Berlioz including the Roman Carnival Overture and the Love Scene from Romeo and Juliet.
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Lullaby Concert
April 6, 2009 -6:45 p.m.
Decatur Public Library
Tickets: Free, Tickets Not Required
The Symphony's student string ensemble and BabyTalk present a feww program of music, stories, and fun for families with very small children. Come in your jammies!
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April 25, 2009 - 7:30 p.m.
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Tickets: $16-$19.50
An evening of symphony gems for smaller orchestra, joined by the Opus 24 Choral Ensemble in Vaughan Williams' pastoral masterpiece, Flos Campi.
