The Danville Symphony Orchestra will be performing at least three of its four concerts this year at the historic Fischer Theater. The Symphony Orchestra has agreed to hire the Fischer Theater staff to provide services ranging from marketing and box office to full-service production management for the Symphony’s 2021-2022 season.
Fischer Executive Director Jason Rome thinks the agreement between the Danville Symphony Orchestra and Vermilion Heritage Foundation will mutually benefit both. The Vermilion Heritage Foundation is the theater’s governing board.
‘’The Fischer Theater is an anchor in our community and the cornerstone to the City’s plans for rebuilding Downtown Danville,’’ said Rome in a news release. ‘’As two nonprofit organizations with aligned missions, we can accomplish so much more together – and our community deserves these best efforts,’’ added Rome.
‘’The Fischer Theater is a spectacular venue, and the Symphony is a jewel in the Danville community,’’ said Danville Symphony Board President Stephen Nacco.
The first of at least three DSO concerts at the Fischer Theater will take place on October 16, 2021. It will be a ‘’Roaring Twenties’’ Concert, featuring the music of Cole Porter and Gershwin.
Both the Symphony and the Fischer leaders noted that both owe a debt of gratitude to the late Julius W. Hegeler II and the Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation. ‘’Julius had a vision for both the Symphony and the Fischer. You’d have to think he’s smiling down on us for what we’re trying to create with this alliance,’’ added Nacco.
Nacco says that the transition to the Fischer box office will take place beginning in July. In addition to the October 16th concert, the DSO is also planning a matinee Christmas concert at the Fischer on December 5th, and a late February concert there featuring the works of Dvorak. In May of 2022, DSO is planning a concert based on award-winning songs from movies, most likely in the Dick Van Dyke Theatre at Danville High School. For more information, visit the DSO website at www.danvillesymphony.org, or call 217-443-5300, or visit the Fischer Theatre at www.fischertheatre.com, @fischertheatre on Facebook, or locally at 158 North Vermilion Street in Danville (Illinois).
{Note: One of the photos for this story shows the Danville Symphony Orchestra rehearsing in the Fischer Theatre early last year.}
