THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA RELEASE
ABOVE: Clare Longendyke, Guest Pianist
Danville, IL, May 5, 2026 – The Danville Symphony Orchestra (DSO) concludes its 2025-26 season with Heroes at the Dick Van Dyke Auditorium.
On Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 pm, Maestro Matthew Sheppard will conduct the DSO in its final concert of the season, featuring two heroic and passionate classical works, including Alexander Borodin’s triumphant Symphony No. 2, the “Heroic Symphony.”
“This symphony—this concert—has something for everyone,” said Sheppard. “Borodin’s Heroic Symphony travels through an entire world of sounds and moods: the sheer drama and brute force of the opening movement, the playful and spirited second movement, the stunningly gorgeous and melodic third movement, and the absolute thrill-ride of the fourth movement.”
This concert will feature guest artist Clare Longendyke, a solo pianist, chamber musician, and fearless advocate for new music who brings daring repertoire and thoughtful storytelling to the concert stage. She will be performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, a work that has been called “an emperor among concertos.”
Heroes is made possible by Sybil Mervis in memory of Lou Mervis. Tickets are still available for the May 16 performance, with seats remaining on the main floor and balcony for $35 and $45. Students can buy tickets for $10.
Tickets may be purchased online 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 pm, Monday through Friday.
The DSO is a 501 c 3 organization with a 59-year tradition of bringing outstanding orchestral performances to the City of Danville, Vermilion County, and the East Central Illinois and Western Indiana regions. Performances are supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council, the DSO Foundation, the John P. Cadle Foundation, and Sybil Mervis and the late Lou Mervis. For more information, you may contact Kay Welch or Maddi Julian at (217) 443-5300 or visit the Danville Symphony Orchestra website at www.danvillesymphony.org.
