Joliet Symphony Orchestra Seeks New Members

The Joliet Symphony Orchestra at the University of St. Francis invites community members to join the ensemble, which is preparing for an exciting concert in April featuring music by Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky, and more. String players and oboists are especially welcome.

JSO, a 45-member orchestra, is under the new direction of Jim Stopher. Stopher is a winner of the annual International Conductors Workshop and Competition, and was named a finalist for the Conductors Guild's biennial Thelma E. Robinson Award. He has served as cover conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, as conductor for the Baltimore-based Figaro Project, and has participated in various conducting workshops and festivals nationwide. He is a trained pianist and active composer, holding degrees from Harvard University (BA), the University of Arizona (MM), and the Peabody Conservatory (DMA).

Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Sexton Auditorium in the University's Moser Performing Arts Center, 500 Wilcox St. in Joliet. To join, contact Conductor Jim Stopher at www.jolietsymphonyorchestra.org.

The Joliet Symphony Orchestra at the University of St. Francis, founded in 2005 as a university-community partnership, performs varied works for orchestra and is open to USF students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the area community. Former music directors include Michael Sundblad (founding conductor) and Clifford Hunt. The orchestra is governed by a board of directors comprised of the music director, several players, and community members.