Classical Music

Guest conductor Alastair Willis returns to lead the Illinois Symphony, nine years after his departure as music director.

Violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason makes his Illinois Symphony debut with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's concerto, originally written for a Central Illinois violinist.

The symphony's season demonstrates a visible commitment to playing works by living composers, composers of color, women — and wizards.

Laurie Willets and T. Daniel have spent their careers confronting stereotypes, creating full-length theatrical productions and abstract interpretations of classical music.

The rare emergence of two broods of periodic cicadas at one time in parts of Central Illinois has attracted international attention from those who want to hear the pulsating and ear-piercing mating choruses.

Taichi Fukumura has been selected from four finalists over a two-year search process.

Alejandro Gómez Guillén replaces Naomi Woo, who withdrew her candidacy to focus on other professional opportunities.

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Josh Henderson aimed to capture the diversity and complexity of the Midwest while in residence at the University of Iowa — starting with a star-studded 1959 music tour riddled by a national tragedy.

Deanne Bryant launched a district-wide Unit 5 string program in 1969, ensuring access to instruments often left out of school curriculums. Five decades later, Bloomington-Normal is lauded statewide for its high quality music education.

Canadian conductor Tania Miller is the third of four finalists vying for the symphony's top job.