AMERICAN WIND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SETS SAIL “ONE LAST TIME”
The floating concert stage — the Point Counterpoint II — is now moored at Allen Park where the free concert will be on the shores of the Illinois River.
The Friday evening concert is free and open to the public. It will include an additional performance by the Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble under the direction of Sue Gillio. The AWSO Concert follows immediately at 8 p.m. Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets for their comfort during the event. Please park on the north side of the river and walk over. Limited handicap spaces are provided in Allen Park.
The first opportunity for the public to hear the 40-member AWSO perform live will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at the special patron’s concert. Those taking part in the patron’s night will enjoy a special AWSO concert on board the vessel, a wine and cheese reception and a tour of the vessel’s art gallery. The cost is $150 per couple.
Anyone wishing to donate to the exclusive Thursday performance may contact the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation at 815-252-2906, or [email protected] or visit its office at 718 Columbus St., Ottawa. Contributions may also be left with the mayor’s office in City Hall, 301 W. Madison St.
For 60 years the American Wind Symphony Orchestra has been making musical headlines along the waterways of the United States, the Caribbean and Northern Europe. Called “a remarkable cultural phenomenon” by New York Magazine’s music critic Alan Rich, the group was founded in 1957 by its music director, Robert Austin Boudreau, who motivates his top notch young musicians to perform at their highest capacity. This summer’s orchestra will represent countries of our hemisphere – Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Canada and the United States.
THURSDAY, JUNE 22
7:30p Patrons concert (60 guests enjoy on-board concert in theater, then tour vessel’s art
gallery, return for wine and cheese reception) $150 per couple
Bill Myers recites poem with harp accompaniment.
FRIDAY, JUNE 23
7:30p Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble performs
8:00 MAIN CONCERT
Including Dubra Divertimento by Ottawa music students and poetry from area students during intermission.
SATURDAY, JUNE 24 (Rain date for main concert)
10:00a – Noon Art symposium at vessel site (max. 20 participants)
12:00 – 12:45p chamber concerts Washington Square Park, Jeremiah Joes
5:30 – 7:00p Second Patrons Concert (60 guests enjoy on-board concert in theater, then tour vessel’s art gallery, return for wine and cheese reception) $150 per couple
730p Rain Date concert – free
SUNDAY, JUNE 25
9:30 am Church Service (Full orchestra performs prelude, offertory, anthem, postlude) at Trinity Lutheran Church, 717 Chambers St.
