Classical Music

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.

Bryant pioneered string programs in Unit 5 schools and led the Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony for three decades. She recently stepped down and will conduct her final piece with BYNS Saturday at the Illinois Symphony's Holiday Pops in the Heartland.

Woo was unable to visit due to a family emergency. Guillén leads the orchestra in her first of two programs, with works by Mozart, Beethoven and Caroline Shaw.

Illinois State University music professor Justin Vickers' new CD includes world premiere recordings of Benjamin Britten's "Epilogue," and the English translation of "The Poet's Echo," transposed by tenor Peter Pears — Britten's muse and life partner.

Shirley, Atlanta and McLean, IL teamed up to present a weekend of fun along the Mother Road, anchored by an art fair in Funks Grove.

Omar Thomas wrote a gospel suite for band because he had yet to see it done. The piece premiered at Illinois State University in 2018.