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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 Music Director of both the
University of Chicago and Bradley University Chamber Orchestra conducted
from 1998-2003. David Commanday, former PSO Music Director, conducted
from 2003-2009, with Brian Dollinger taking over in the fall of
2009. Brian is the Music Director of Muscatine Symphony Orchestra,
Clinton Symphony Orchestra, Bradley University Symphony Orchestra
and Double Bass Instructor at Bradley.
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 Siebenthal,
Director of Orchestras for Normal Unit 5 School District, Normal,
IL, retired after 10 years as conductor of the Concert Orchestra.
Philip Rudd began conducting this orchestra in the fall of 2008.
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.
In 1997 the first of the organization’s small
ensembles was formed. The Percussion Ensemble, conducted by Peggy
Bonner, was formed from the Youth Symphony and Concert Orchestra
percussionists to provide additional challenge and highlight their
talents. In January of 2006, a Brass Ensemble was formed with the
brass students from the orchestras, under the direction of Craig
Fitzpatrick. In the fall of 2008, Brad Harris took over as conductor
of the ensemble.
January of 2008 saw the addition of a Flute Choir
under the direction of Becky Schutte, Clarinet Choir and Woodwind
Quintet under the direction of Sherill Diepenbrock, and string quartets
first coached by David Commanday, Jane Hoffmire and Marcia Henry
Liebenow and now under the sole direction of Jane Hoffmire. In the
fall of 2009, CIYS adds a Brass Quintet coached by Brad Harris.
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Members and parents enjoy a
reception held after the final concert of the 1967 season.
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Just a few of the 95 young musicians who
auditioned for and joined the Central Illinois Youth Symphony
in 1965.
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Dr. David Daniels, conductor of the CIYS
from 1966-1968 spoke with members of the orchestra in 1967.
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A young harpist from our 1967 season.
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French Horn players.
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Photographs from our 25th Anniversary season
in 1991.
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Palindrome Graphics 2002, Questions or Comments, contact