DECATUR, Ill. – The Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra (MDSO) returns to the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater for its annual Labor Day Pops Concert on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. The concert will begin at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. Tickets for the show are $8 for the lawn and $10 for the seated area.
The Labor Day Pops Concert officially opens the 2024-25 Performance Season for the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra. The event will feature an exciting afternoon with stops at the movies, the theatre stage and a tribute to our Nation's Armed Forces.
“I am very excited about the MDSO Labor Day Pops Concert. It is my favorite time of the year to play outdoors on the lake at the Devon Amphitheater,” MDSO Music Director Dr. William McClain said. “Fun, friends, and family. Come out to hear your favorites. From movies, musicals, and jazz, there will surely be something for everyone!”
The evening will include performances of John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare and Theme," Samuel Ward’s “America the Beautiful,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” pieces from “Fidler on the Roof,” Peter Tchaikovsky’s “Finale from 1812 Overture,” and John Phillip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
The performance will also feature violinist Dr. Henrik Karapetyan.
Under the direction of McClain, the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra is an ensemble comprised of faculty, hired professionals, and is open to students who successfully audition for the Millikin University School of Music. Membership in the MDSO places a high demand on students who gain hands-on experience by playing side-by-side with faculty and other professionals in a nurturing environment.
The Devon G. Buffett Amphitheater is owned and operated by the Decatur Park District. The venue sits along the shore of Lake Decatur as part of Lakeshore Landing nestled inside the Historic Nelson Park. With a capacity of nearly 4,000, the venue offers views of the lake from almost every seat or viewing area. For more information about the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, visit devonamphitheater.com/.
To arrange media coverage, contact Millikin University Public Relations Coordinator Matthew Flaten at 217.420.6636 or mflaten@millikin.edu.
About Millikin School of Music
The mission of the Millikin University School of Music is to develop the whole musician – artistically, intellectually, and technically – through the integration of theory and practice in an environment where students become active learners through their relationships with faculty, who themselves continue to grow as artists, scholars, and teachers.
Millikin's nationally recognized School of Music brings relevant, performance-based opportunities to all facets of undergraduate music education. With five distinctive music degree programs and additional certificate options, students find their path to professional success by blending creative, performative, scholarly, and entrepreneurial experiences designed to train the next generation of music professionals. For more information, visit millikin.edu/music.
