
The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will introduce elementary students to orchestra music and instruments this spring thanks in part to the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation.
Students in grades 3-5 from Ottawa and Streator high school feeder schools will benefit from a $1,000 SRCCF community grant. Up to 1,000 students will be engaged through an ongoing program serving students in the eastern half of LaSalle County this year and the western half next year.
“The grant will help us encourage young students to get into music and expose them to orchestral music,” said IVSO board member Laurel Maze. “Ultimately, we hope some will excel on an instrument and one day perform with our orchestra.”
IVSO conductor Daniel Sommerville will introduce each orchestral section to the students and instruments in each section at concerts at Ottawa and Streator schools Friday, Feb. 28.
The Symphony, founded in 1950, is celebrating “75 Seasons of Splendor!” in 2024-25.