The Central Illinois Youth Symphony, under the direction of Dr. Glenn Block, performs their 2013 Spring Concert: “Orchestral Fireworks”, on Sunday, April 14, 2013, 6:30 p.m., at Metamora Township High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 Adult and $5 Student, and are available at the door.
The program features works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and John Williams. In addition to the chamber ensembles of CIYS, the concert also features a solo performance by the CIYS 2012 Concerto Competition winner, violinist Stevan Lukich, performing the first movement of Antonin Dvorak’s Concerto in A Minor, Op. 53.
Dr. Glenn Block is the newly appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony. Dr. Block is the Director of Orchestras and Opera and Professor of Conducting at Illinois State University since 1990. He is a frequent guest conductor, both abroad and in the US. In his 23-year tenure as former Music Director for the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, his contributions brought international recognition to the program and growth to five full orchestras, chorus, jazz and chamber music. Born in Brooklyn, Dr. Block was educated at the Eastman School of Music. He received his Ph.D. from UC San Diego.
Violinist Stevan Lukich, age 18, is Concertmaster of the Central Illinois Youth Symphony. An accomplished young violinist, Stevan has performed with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra-as winner of their Young Artists Competition-and with the Birch Creek Symphony, for which the Music Critics Association of North America noted, “His playing has warmth and lyricism, and demonstrates maturity well beyond his years”. His string quartet won the Chamber Music Competition at the renowned Meadowmount School of Music last summer. Stevan is a member of the CIYS Honors String Quartet and the Cygnet String Quartet. Stevan is a senior in high school and is the son of Mike and Janice Lukich of Chillicothe, IL.
The Central Illinois Youth Symphony (CIYS) is an organization whose vision is to transform youth through music. Celebrating its 47th concert season, the CIYS offers students enriching experiences not readily found in area schools. Founded in 1965 by area music educators, the CIYS has grown from a single high-school orchestra to a full program embracing students from grade 3 through 12 of all instruments and ability levels. The opportunities presented students include learning to master full symphonic works, collaboration with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and regular engagement with professional musicians and visiting guest artists.
Students are drawn to the CIYS from 28 communities in a 50 mile radius of Peoria. Annual spring auditions place students into one of three progressive orchestras and 7 small ensembles. Admission is blind to need, race and gender, and has broad community support. More information can be found at www.ciys.org.