McHenry youth orchestras present fall concerts Nov. 15

Submitted by McHenry County Youth Orchestras

McHenry County Youth Orchestras will hold its fall concert, “Symphonic Dances From the Merry to the Macabre,” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at Prairie Ridge High School, 6000 Dvorak Drive, Crystal Lake.

The Intermezzo Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Malovance, will be performing “Russian Sailor’s Dance” by Gliere, “Dance of the Hours” by Amilcare Ponchielli and more.

The Symphony Orchestra, conducted by music director Eugene Power, will perform Strauss’ “Blue Danube Waltz” and Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Macabre,” with a haunting solo performed by Concertmaster Iavor Boykov, among other pieces.

This concert also will feature guest soloist Stephen Balderston, the former assistant principal cellist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The cello solo pieces will include “Kol Nidrei” by Max Bruch.

Tickets are available by calling the McHenry County Music Center offices at (815) 356-6296. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors, family tickets for five seats are $43.

Visit the website at mcmusic.org to view the seating chart for open seats.

This concert is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Come and experience the award-winning McHenry County Youth Orchestras performances of the different styles of symphonic dances along with the special guest, cellist Stephen Balderston, formerly of the CSO.

There’s still time to be part of this group. Midseason auditions for the MCYO will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in the Dole Mansion at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake. Call Cathy Ames at (815) 356-6296 to schedule an audition. Visit mcmusic.org to view audition requirements.