DECATUR, Ill. – The Millikin University College of Fine Arts, in cooperation with the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur, presents the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra (MDSO) performing Masterworks III: Dreams, Fantasies, and Young Artists on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Tickets range from $25-$35 and can be purchased at kirklandfinearts.com
The performance will feature the winners of the Young Artists Competition: Millikin students Mackenzie Mann and Devon Hill.
Mackenzie Mann is a junior double majoring in Commercial Music and Arts Administration. She principally studies saxophone and has performed with the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Millikin Jazz Band I, Millikin Jazz Combos A and B, Dissonance A Cappella, and Millikin Sax Quartet I.
Devon Hill is a sophomore majoring in violin performance. He is actively involved with instrumental ensembles at Millikin, such as the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, the Millikin Chamber Orchestra, String Quartet, String Duet, and Piano Trio. In 2022, he was named the Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition winner.
The Masterworks III program includes Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Fantasia on ‘Greensleeves,’” Paul Bonneau’s “Suite for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra” (featuring Mann), Jean Sibelius’ “Violin Concerto, Op.47” (featuring Hill), and Felix Mendelssohn’s “Incidental Music from “A Midsummer Night's Dream “Op 61.”
“Having the opportunity to perform one of my favorite concertos with the amazing musicians of the MDSO will be an experience I will never forget,” Hill said.
Mann and Hill have high hopes of expanding their musical opportunities following graduation. Mackenzie plans to dive into the music industry, work with performing arts organizations, and own and operate a music venue. After graduation, Devon intends to perform with more professional orchestras and teach through his private lesson studio.
The Masterworks III performance is led by MDSO Music Director and Conductor Dr. William McClain, Associate Professor in the Millikin School of Music.
Members of the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra include:
VIOLIN I
Ion-Alexandru Malaimare, Concertmaster
Devon Hill
Maiya Favis
Maria Emmons
Colleen Loemker
Gibson Swalley
VIOLIN II
Kamen Petkov, Principal
Elyse Morehead
Meredith Crifasi
Jennifer Meyer
Jenna Ames
Dorothy Damery
Cameron Gouard
VIOLA
Sharon Chung, Principal
Christina Giger
Karen Frost
Rachel Sompong
Rhoda Kay Roberts
Joao Pedro
CELLO
Keegan O'Donald, Acting Principal
Andrew Young
Christine Cicha
Chet Lord-Remmert
Ingrid Bakeman
Katherine Leo
Lydia Hedberg
BASS
Garold Fowler, Principal
Margaret Briskin
John St. Cyr
Donald Colby
Emma Taylor
FLUTE
Amanda Pond, Principal
Erica Edwards
Isabel Rimovsky
OBOE
Evan Tammen, Principal
Christine Smith
CLARINET
David Cook, Principal
Julia Funck
Bradley Rossbach
Victor Lawton
BASSOON
Claire Taylor, Principal
Tabitha Barowsky
Bill Bradshaw
HORN
Stephen Burian, Principal
Christine Hansen
Dathan Lidy
TRUMPET
David Moore, Principal
Neal Smith
Phillip Tsigolaroff
TROMBONE
Trevor Schaefer, Principal
Sophia Brattoli
Alex Barr
TUBA
Logan Clark, Principal
TIMPANI
Aaron Villarreal, Principal
PERCUSSION
Colton Middleton
Roxanne Bakir
Alex Joffe
CELESTE
Dan Cavanagh
HARP
Julia Jamieson
ORCHESTRA LIBRARIAN
Mackenzie Mann
This concert may be heard on the “Prairie Performances” series of WILL-FM 90.9. For the date and time, please visit decaturorchestra.com.
This concert is sponsored in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the Symphony Guild of Decatur. Millikin University provides the remainder of the support. Donations in support of the MDSO to Millikin University are welcome.
