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It
is rare for a community
the size of Peoria to have
even one symphony or-
chestra that can attract nationally
known conductors and produce
such professional excellence as
the Peoria Symphony has for
some many years.
Peoria has two such orches-
tras and it also has several other
concert bands that local musi-
cians can audition for in order to
display their talents.
Several times a year one can
listen to music that ranges from
classical to modern, as long as
you know where to find it.
Here is a look at some of the
biggest bands in the region.
Peoria Symphony
Orchestra
For 115 years this group has
been making music in Peoria.
It started as the Bradley Sym-
phony Orchestra for the study
of compositions by the masters
but was always open to talented
members of the public. It incorpo-
rated as a business and took the
name Peoria Symphony Orchestra
in 1916 and it has never wavered in
its mission to present the area with
the best music.
From its first conductor Harold
Plowe to Dr. WilliamWilsen to
David Commanday to current
conductor George Stelluto, the or-
chestra has been able to attract na-
tionally known and accomplished
conductors to further its growth.
It was Wilsen, who was at the
podium for 21 years, who is cred-
ited for bringing the symphony
to its highest levels, musically
and professionally. He took the
orchestra to the International
Bodensee Festival in Germany in
1989, earning national and inter-
national acclaim.
After Wilsen retired in 1999,
Commanday was hired from Bos-
ton and he continued the tradi-
tion of presenting concerts from
the Peoria Civic Center Theatre
that often sold out.
An example of the appeal and
renown of the Peoria Symphony
Orchestra was witnessed in 2009
when the organization searched
for a new conductor. More than
250 people from around the
world applied for the position
and seven were auditioned dur-
ing the symphony’s 2009-2010
season.
Stelluto was chosen and he is
preparing for his third season at
the podium.
That season begins Sept. 22 at
the Civic Center. There will be
eight concerts during the season
(six at the Civic Center and two at
Grace Presbyterian Church) and
in several of them the symphony
will welcome guest artists. They
include world-renowned artists
Anna Lee at the violin on Oct. 13
and pianist Andre Watts on April
13, 2013.
Heartland Festival
Orchestra
When he left the Peoria Sym-
phony Orchestra under less-than-
ideal conditions in 2008, Com-
manday wasn’t ready to leave
Peoria. Instead he formed the
Heartland Festival Orchestra and
set about recruiting some of the
region’s finest musicians.
Right away the Heartland Fes-
tival Orchestra received praise.
The Peoria Journal Star review of
its first concert said the orchestra
“has a big-city feel, but a small-
town heart.”
In 2011 Commanday was
named Professional Conductor of
the Year by the Illinois Council of
Orchestras.
It was Commanday who set
the tone for the group and set its
mission, which reads:
“The Mission of the Heartland
Festival Orchestra is to serve Peo-
ria and the extended community
22
thePeorian.com
Music to Your Ears
Region boasts several outstanding orchestras
for our listening pleasure
The Present
By Paul Gordon
George Stelluto, center, conductor
of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra,
is shown with soloists before a
symphony concert earlier this year.