Central Illinois Youth Symphony History

In 1965 a small group of music educators in Central Illinois gathered to discuss plans for an organization to serve musically talented youth and their communities. It began when J. Elmer Szepessy, then Orchestra Director at Peoria High School, approached Dr. Mark Bills, who was Superintendent of Peoria Public Schools, with an idea to establish a high school for the arts. Instead, it was decided to develop a performing arts organization which would draw together the best of area high school musicians for an experience beyond that which could be offered in high school. As a result of support from Peoria Public Schools, Bradley University, University of Illinois, the American String Teachers Association and countless hours of work by people committed to the concept, Central Illinois Youth Symphony held its first auditions in October 1965. The debut concerts were in Peoria and Pekin in 1966. As did the young people of that first orchestra, those in succeeding years have come from large and small communities in a wide area of central Illinois.

Donald Miller, Assistant Professor of Music, University of Illinois, was conductor for the first season. After the successful launching of the orchestra, the baton went to David Daniels, Assistant Professor of Music at Knox College, Galesburg. In 1968, J. Elmer Szepessy, who had been in the charter group that formed Youth Symphony, became conductor, as well as serving as coordinator of Music in Peoria Public Schools and Orchestra Director at Richwoods High School. In the fall of 1978, William Wilsen, Associate Professor of Music at Knox College, began conducting the Youth Symphony, and continued until 1982. Jack Ranney, on the music faculty at University of Illinois, directed from 1982 to 1991. Steven W. Eggleston, Professor of Music at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, directed the Orchestra from 1992 until 1998. Steven Huang, the director for the last four seasons, is currently the Music Director of both the University of Chicago and Bradley University Chamber Orchestra.

Realizing the enthusiasm young musicians showed for Youth Symphony, the Board of Directors saw the need to expand the musical opportunities and provide a training ground for orchestra personnel with the establishment of Prep Orchestra in the autumn of 1970. Glen Sanderson, Orchestra Director in East Peoria, was the first director of the preparatory group, which progressed from a string ensemble to a full orchestra. Peter Wessler, Orchestra Director for Peoria Public Schools, became its second director in 1981. The Prep Orchestra underwent a name change and became the Central Illinois Concert Orchestra in 1983. Melissa Seibenthal, Director of Orchestras for Normal Unit 5 School District, Normal, IL, is in her 4th year of conducting the Concert Orchestra.

In 1995, a new PREP Orchestra was formed, as a result of workshop and operating grants from the Illinois Arts Council and Peoria Area Arts and Sciences Council. A string orchestra, it meets the needs of young musicians in their first advanced setting. Betsy Jones, Peoria District 150 Orchestra and Carmen Diagostine, then orchestra director for Normal Public Schools shared the debut season baton. Betsy Jones continues to conduct the PREP Orchestra.

As we enter our 42nd concert season, David Commanday, Melissa Siebenthal, Betsy Jones and Peggy Bonner return to conduct our orchestras and percussion ensemble with their usual panache. With these four conductors shepherding our students, the making of music is an exceptional adventure in learning and accomplishment.

The past year has seen some major changes for the Central Illinois Youth Symphony Organization.

We have relocated all three orchestras to Morton, IL.
We have acquired office and instrument storage space.
We now have a Web site.
We have purchased our own set of timpani and a bass drum.
Our Parent Organization has been revitalized to assist with activities.
A commitment is being made to take at least one concert per year on the road.
Formation of a Brass Ensemble that rehearses regularly and performs at our concerts.

Over 2500 students have been served by this organization since its beginning in 1965. We have been blessed for the past 42 years with volunteers and staff who have made a major commitment of time and money to the Central Illinois Youth Symphony Organization and it with extreme gratitude that we thank them all.

Photo Archives

2001-2002

2002-2003

2003-2004