Free concert to feature two soloists
The Fox Valley Philharmonic Orchestra with director Maryann Flock will present a free concert featuring two noteworthy soloists at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 420 W. Downer Place in Aurora.
The Fox Valley Academy Concerto Competition winner, 12-year-old Lily Johnson of Naperville, will perform Telemann's energizing Viola Concerto in G major. Johnson has been a member of the Academy of Music Performance since 2012 performing in numerous concerts and recitals in the Chicago area.
In addition to the youth winner, Kristine Mertens, Philharmonic principal oboist, will delight audiences with Jean Francaix' "The Flower Clock" for solo oboe and orchestra. In this composition each movement is named to depict a flower that blooms each hour. The concept was used by Swedish botanist Linnaeus in his clock of blooming flowers in 1759.
The concert also will feature other full orchestral works by the Philharmonic Orchestra. The Philharmonic is an integral part of the Fox Valley Academy of Music Performance. The Academy's Youth Strings and Orchestra will perform a classical concert on the same date at a 1 p.m. concert.
Admission to the concert is free, but donations are accepted. There is plenty of parking in the rear, just blocks away from downtown Aurora.