Newsletter: Winter 2022

2022

What's Inside: 2 | Student Ticket Prices 2 | All About Stored Credit 3 | Larsen named Music Director Emeritus 3 | Board Spotlight: Andy Conway 4 | How is a new Music Director being chosen?

5 | Guide for Getting to Know the Music Director Finalists 5 | ComEd Digital Stage 6 | Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Dehler 6 | Recap: Yaniv Attar 7 | RSYO and Education Updates

WINTER NEWSLETTER

RSO WINS EXCELSIOR AWARD The RSO is honored to receive the 2021 Excelsior Award from the Rockford Register Star. The Excelsior Award recognizes an organization driven to excellence in community service and improving lives in the Rockford region.

“The RSO is made up of highly-trained professional musicians who have dedicated their careers to perfecting their craft. Our artistic and administrative team work tirelessly behind the scenes to deliver outstanding experiences. And for the past 30 years Music Director Steven Larsen has programmed creative, exciting programs that resonated with our community,” said Julie Thomas, RSO Executive Director, in an article published in December in the RRSTAR. “This prestigious recognition is all the more gratifying as we re-emerge from an incredibly challenging period in our organization’s existence from which has sprung innovation, assessment, capacity-building, and ultimately, sustainability.”

"This award is a testament to our entire organization's dedication to enhance our community. Our positive impact on the community is a passion for us", said Colin Peterson, RSO Board President. “Exposure to music and arts can truly change someone's life."

THE RSO OFFERS SPECIAL CHILD AND STUDENT TICKET RATES The RSO encourages families to attend concerts to introduce their children to the symphony. To help make this an affordable experience, the RSO offers child tickets (up to age 18) for just $10 per concert. The RSO recommends our performances for children age six and above. The Coronado Theatre has booster seats available for our younger audience members.

Recognizing that many of the higher educational institutions in our region have non-traditional aged students, the RSO is introducing a special ticket price of just $15 per concert for anyone aged 19 or older with a valid student ID. Subscription packages are also available at these rates. All child and student priced tickets and subscriptions are only available through the RSO Office. They are currently not available online.

ALL ABOUT STORED CREDIT In response to the flexibility needed for today’s environment, the RSO has created the Stored Credit system. Stored Credit can be used for any purchase with the RSO including single tickets, a subscription package, RSO merchandise or gift certificate, or tickets to a special event. Stored Credit can also be converted to a donation or a refund upon request by the customer.

Concert tickets from the 2020/21 Season that were converted to Stored Credit can be redeemed for current tickets through June 30, 2023. Stored Credit from the current 2021/22 Season is valid through June 30, 2024.

If the Stored Credit has not been redeemed by the expiration date stated above, it will be converted to an RSO donation, and you will receive a tax receipt.

SIT BACK, RELAX, AND ENJOY THE SHOW! The RSO appreciates the overwhelmingly positive responses we've received about our safety standards. Our protocols are designed to keep patrons, staff, musicians, and volunteers as protected as possible so everyone feels comfortable and can enjoy RSO concerts. To see our policies in detail, please go to our website.

"I want to thank the symphony for going to the trouble of implementing these policies. It shows me they care." - Hazel

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"We are still in Covid and looking for brightening experiences. The RSO has made an experience that I can feel safe attending. We left with uplifted spirits."

-Walter

"Bravo, and thank you for the way the whole RSO organization has handled the last 18 months. " -Frank

"It was wonderful to hear live music again and my socially distanced seating made me feel comfortable." -Colleen

Kerry Knodle, RSO Board Member and Principal Percussionist; Steven Larsen; Joel Ross, RSO Pianist | Photo credit: Brian Thomas Photography

STEVEN LARSEN NAMED MUSIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS The Rockford Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors passed a resolution conferring Steven Larsen the lifetime title of Music Director Emeritus. The public announcement was made during Larsen’s final concert as Music Director for the RSO on December 18, 2021 at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.

The resolution declares that Maestro Larsen has “overseen the unparalleled growth of the orchestra and its musicians during his tenure resulting in numerous awards and accolades…”. Larsen also receives lifetime access to all official events sponsored by the RSO.

To honor Larsen, the RSO began the Larsen Legacy Campaign. Community members are encouraged to consider making a donation to the campaign to help celebrate Larsen’s retirement and his new title of Music Director Emeritus. Funds raised through the campaign will help sustain programming throughout the community and help with new innovative projects to support the RSO’s mission now and in the future. Giving to the campaign will honor Larsen’s prestigious 30- year-career in Rockford while ensuring that our community has access to orchestral music long into the future.

SPOTLIGHT: Andy Conway, RSO Board Member Andy Conway was born and raised in the Rockford area and is a classicallytrained pianist. He has been a supporter of the symphony for years and joined the RSO board in 2019.

Andy is currently the General Manager of the Holiday Inn of Rockford and in his free time loves to attend live theater, travel, and spend time with his family and friends. He is passionately committed to the arts and helps engage as many people as he can to them.

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e c i o h C BE PART OF THE HOW IS A NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR BEING CHOSEN? We want the community to Be Part of the Choice! The Music Director Search Committee values the input and feedback of RSO musicians and community members in the selection of the next music director. RSO musicians will spend a week rehearsing with the finalist, and they will be surveyed to gather thoughts and feedback on their experience with the finalist.

Each finalist will also spend time with the search committee, RSO Board and Staff members, and other community stakeholders, who will all be invited to give feedback. Additionally, all patrons will be sent a survey after each concert (whether viewed in-person or digitally) to share their thoughts. RSO leadership will consider all feedback as they make the final decision.

The RSO plans to announce the new Music Director to the community by early 2023. We hope you'll join us in being part of this important choice!

Music Director Finalist Yaniv Attar and RSO Concertmaster Michèle Lekas Photo credit: Brian Thomas Photography

Digital Stage The RSO is proud to offer digital access to our concerts through the ComEd Digital Stage.

Each concert is just $10, and will be available online approximately two weeks after the live performance. The entire season can be purchased for $90. If you are unable to come to the Coronado, please join us online and Be Part of the Choice!

The production of the Music Director Finalist performances are generously funded in part by support from ComEd, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

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Your Guide for Getting to Know the Music Director Finalists!

Whether you're joining us in person or online, there are several opportunities to get to know the music director finalists so you can Be Part of the Choice.

•As you prepare for each finalist concert, we invite you to visit our website where you will find bios, interactive program notes, and excerpts of the music.

•Each finalist will record a short interview with host Phil Davidson where they will discuss what drew them to the RSO and the music they've chosen to share with us. This interview will be included in the email newsletter Re:Sound that you will find in your inbox weekly throughout 2022. The interview will also be on the podcast page of our website.

•Full Finalist Subscribers are invited to an exclusive meet and greet with each finalist when they are in town.

•Fridays are a special day because the public is invited to SoundBites at The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club. These events feature each finalist being interviewed and allows for a Q&A from the audience.

•Each finalist will host a pre-concert lecture at 6:30pm on stage at the Coronado. This is open to all ticketholders.

COMING UP NEXT:

BEHIND THE SCENES: Curious about the logistics of hosting nine world-class conductors?

Each finalist will be spending a week in Rockford, rehearsing with the orchestra four times before they present the concert to the audience.

Most are flying into Chicago and renting a car to travel to Rockford and they will have the car for the week. The Holdmann family of Rockford has generously donated the use of their downtown Rockford apartment for the finalists.

Merry Maids of Rockford is making sure the apartment stays immaculate!

In addition to our finalists, guest artists are coming to town for each performance.

They are being hosted at The Holiday Inn, coordinated by RSO Board Member Andy Conway.

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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: JIM DEHLER Jim has been a regular volunteer with the RSO and a firm believer in giving back.

Jim Dehler and his wife Jackie have been volunteers with the RSO for about eight years. “My wife and I are longtime fans of classical music,” Jim said. “We felt it was time to give back to the RSO that gave us so much pleasure.” Jim has spent countless hours helping with mailers, but found his true calling as the RSO’s Poster Boy—delivering concert posters to area businesses to promote the events. “I would often hear from the business owners that they certainly wanted to support the RSO,” Jim said. “When I started delivering posters there were about 30 locations which quickly grew to over 50.”

Jim is cutting back on his poster distribution, but still helps out in the RSO office. He encourages anyone who is considering volunteering to give it a try, believing it gives a person a feeling of involvement. “You are not just a passive observer but a contributor to the success of a great organization. You also meet some very nice people with similar interests.”

If you are interested in volunteering for the RSO, complete the form on our our website or call 815.965.0049.

RECAP: A WEEK WITH OUR FIRST FINALIST YANIV ATTAR After years of preparation the Rockford Symphony Orchestra finally welcomed the first of nine music director finalists to Rockford during the second week of January. Yaniv Attar arrived in Rockford on an icy Sunday morning, but he did not let the weather dampen his spirits. Yaniv’s bright smile and friendly demeanor started the public phase of the search off on a great path as he spent the busy week in rehearsals, outreach, interviews, podcasts, live meetings, zoom meetings, and much more.

Yaniv is a trained classical guitarist and is known for his creative musical programming. The program he developed for his concert in Rockford was titled Rhythm and Beauty. Yaniv shared that he focused on creating a program that all members of the Rockford community could enjoy. His program consisted of inspiring pieces highlighting exciting rhythms and beautiful melodies. Rhythm and Beauty spanned the globe with famous works from Mexico to Spain. Yaniv showed his classical side with Tchaikovsky's iconic Symphony No. 4 nicknamed "fate". If you missed this extraordinary concert, we invite you to watch the concert online!

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ISADORE OLSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND Congratulations to horn player Angelina Redisi, winner of the 2021/22 Isadore Olson Scholarship Fund! Angelina is currently a freshman at Boylan Catholic High School and in her second year of participating in RSYO. Angelina says, “I have been playing French Horn for over four years now.

During those four years, I have completely found a love for music unlike anything else. I have participated in many musical associations and done a lot of learning as well.”

MUSIC EDUCATOR DISCOUNT The Rockford Symphony Orchestra recognizes the hard work music educators are doing in our community and honors the difference they are making every day by offering music educators 50% off adult ticket prices (up to 4 per concert).

Contact the RSO for more information.

The Isadore Olson Scholarship Fund covers the cost of one year’s tuition for a student participating in the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO). The Fund was created in 2015 by Gayle and Ellwyn Englof in honor and memory of Gayle’s grandfather, Isadore Olson. Gayle says of her grandfather, “Isadore Olson emigrated to Rockford from a small island off the coast of Sweden in the early 1900s. He was a musician, played the fiddle (or violin), sang in his church choir, and performed with the Sveas Soner singing society of Rockford most of his adult life.”

The scholarship is awarded to a student who exhibits the following criteria, in keeping with the spirit of Isadore Olson: a passion for music and arts; a love of performance and the desire to create music as part of an ensemble; and the ability to inspire and lead other musicians.

GUEST ARTISTS VISIT SCHOOLS Throughout 2022 the RSO will be sending visiting guest artists out into area schools for education outreach visits. On January 14, 2022 visiting classical guitarist Daniel Bolshoy visited Melissa Mondello's guitar glass at RPS 205's East High School.

Daniel, a seasoned educator himself, discussed the differences between rock, blues, and classical guitar - both playing techniques and the physical instruments themselves, led a conversation with the students about life as a full-time musician, and performed for the class.

The RSO is proud to provide these opportunities to our area students. Support for these visits is generously provided by the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation.

Guitarist Daniel Bolshoy visited East High School on January 14, 2022 Photo Credit: Neil Bloom

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Riverfront Museum Park | 711 N. Main, Rockford, IL 61103 rockfordsymphony.com | 815.965.0049

SEASONAL NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES The Great Gatsby February 12, 2022 • 7:30 PM Coronado Performing Arts Center with Music Director Finalist Scott Terrell Rachmaninoff and the Hollywood Sound March 19, 2022 • 7:00 PM Coronado Performing Arts Center with Music Director Finalist Andrew Crust

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra is supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

e c i o h BE PART OF THE C

Join us in 2022 for the Music Director Finalists Season