THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA RELEASE
ABOVE: Maestro Matthew Sheppard leading the Danville Symphony Orchestra during the Dec. 2 concert in the Dick Van Dyke Auditorium at Danville High School.
Danville, IL, Dec. 11, 2023 – The Danville Symphony Orchestra staged its second major concert of the season on Sat., Dec. 2. Before a packed house in the Dick Van Dyke Auditorium, Maestro Matthew Sheppard took his turn in a 10-month battle between two world-class conductors vying to become the next music director for the DSO.
By all accounts, Maestro Sheppard performed marvelously well leading the orchestra in a concert titled, “Nothin’ but the Blues Christmas.” As Principal Cellist Barbara Hedlund said afterward of Maestro Sheppard, “His experience and craft in conducting an orchestra were very evident. He injected a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm into each piece we performed. The musicians seemed very pleased with him.”
The audience was pleased too—judging by their repeated ovations, albeit not only for Maestro Sheppard. Guest artist Shayna Steele—a Broadway star and nationally renowned jazz singer—captivated an audience that included more than 30 children from the Danville Boys & Girls Club.
Ms. Steele began the program with the orchestra accompanying her in a repertoire of show-stopping jazz tunes. Following intermission, she and the orchestra presented stylized renditions of traditional Christmas songs. As long-time DSO patron and donor Dr. Wes Bieritz said of Ms. Steele, “Hands down, that lady has star appeal. She’s one of the most talented singers I’ve heard in a long, long time.”
As for the ongoing competition between conductors, the third stage will take place on Sat., Mar. 9 with a concert titled, “Noche Hispana!” with virtuoso pianist Rochelle Sennet. Returning to the conductor’s podium will be Maestro Richard Zielinski, who earned accolades for leading the Symphony for the Oct. 14 “Behind the Mask: The Music of Broadway” concert.
At the halfway point of the concert season, the DSO Board has already received a great deal of feedback from concert-goers and musicians regarding the two competing maestros. As DSO Board President Gage Womack says, “The surveys we’re administering during the concerts are generating a tremendous response that will help inform the decision we make in May (2024) on which of these Maestros will become the DSO’s next music director.”
Tickets to Maestro Zielinski’s Mar. 9 concert are available through the DSO website at danvillesymphony.org, or by calling (217) 443-5300. Tickets are also available at the DSO office at 715 West Fairchild Street, Danville. Hours 1 -5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Maestro Sheppard will return for the final concert of the season on May 4 for “Beatles and Bach,” featuring trumpet master Brandon Ridenour.
The DSO is a 501 c 3 organization with a 57-year tradition of bringing outstanding orchestral performances to the City of Danville, Vermilion County, and the East Central Illinois region. Performances are supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council and by the John P. Cadle Foundation. For more information or for a four-concert season subscription, you may contact Kay Welch or Maddi Julian at (217) 443-5300 or go to the Danville Symphony Orchestra website at www.danvillesymphony.org or visit the DSO office at 715 West Fairchild Street, Danville. Hours 1 -5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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