Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Symphonic Band to tour the Midwest in March

The Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. James Lambrecht, will bring performances to communities across Illinois and Wisconsin March 20-26. All concerts are open to the public. A freewill offering will be accepted.

The tour starts on March 20 at 7:30 pm in Oregon, Ill., and a home concert will be held in Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s Centennial Hall, located at 3703 7th Ave., on April 11.

Four tour performances will take place in the hometowns of current band members Evan James ¡®27 from Oregon High School, Dale Faber ¡®27 from Bureau Valley High School, Braden Foy ¡®28 from Batavia High School, and Sierra Jelinek ¡®27 from Cambridge High School.  

The tour includes two closed performances ¡ª at Batavia (lll.) High School and Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wis.

Dr. Lambecht says returning to Whitnall High School will bring back many good memories.

"I attended Whitnall High School, and my father was the band director from the school¡¯s founding in 1959 until his retirement in 1985," Dr. Lambrecht said. "The final tour stop is at West Aurora High School, which is one of the very first tour stops from my first year at Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø in 1989."

This tour's repertoire will include Percy Grainger¡¯s "Lincolnshire Posy," widely regarded as one of the most significant works in wind band literature, in addition to contemporary selections reflecting classical, folk and jazz traditions from diverse cultures.

The Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Symphonic Band, which was established in 1874, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary with a specially commissioned piece by composer Kevin Walczyk.

The ensemble tours annually, most recently to the East Coast and Japan. The annual tour reinforces Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s commitment to engaged learning by extending the classroom into communities across the region. Through performance and collaboration, students deepen their musicianship, build confidence and gain professional experience while serving as ambassadors for the college.

Tour dates:

Friday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m.    
Oregon High School
206 S. 10th St.
Oregon, Ill.      

Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m.
Our Savior Lutheran Church
815 S. Washington St.
Naperville, Ill.      

Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m.
Bureau Valley High School 
9154 County Rd 2125 N
Manlius, Ill.     

Tuesday, March 24, at 7 p.m.
Nikolay Middle School
211 South St.
Cambridge, Wis. 

Thursday,  March 26, at 7 p.m.  
West Aurora High School
1201 W. New York St.
Aurora, Ill.  

Saturday, April 11, at 7 p.m.
Centennial Hall
3703 7th Ave.
Rock Island, Ill.