“The Illinois Symphony Orchestra returns to the stage this week for the in-person ‘Holiday Pops in the Heartland’ concert in partnership with other Twin City arts organizations,” writes Ariele Jones in Monday’s (12/13) WGLT radio (Normal, Illinois). “The Illinois Symphony Orchestra is joining forces with youth orchestras and youth ballet companies from across Central Illinois, including the Twin Cities Ballet Company and Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony. ‘With this concert, the focus is collaboration,’ said music director Ken Lam. Audiences can expect holiday favorites like ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘Sleigh Ride,’ but also lesser-known pieces like ‘Hansel and Gretel,’ Lam said. ‘You can’t have the same five pieces every year, so we try to mix it up a little bit,’ Lam said. The 2020 ‘Holiday Pops’ show was pushed online, due to the pandemic…. ‘We haven’t been getting together very much in the last year and a half. And this is really the first time a big, big orchestra is assembled on stage,’ Lam said. This is an event for everyone—kids, adults, and families. ‘They’re coming into a safe environment to still enjoy those traditions that they have greatly missed,’ said ISO director of marketing Rachel Pinto.”
Change font size
