The Illinois Symphony Orchestra will kick off its 2026-2027 season on Halloween eve (Friday, Oct. 30), with the appropriately titled “Tricks & Treats” concert, allowing the musicians of the orchestra a chance to sink their fangs into a variety of chilling, thrilling compositions perfect for the scariest season, including Grieg’s “Peer Gynt” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” by Dukas.
“This weekend’s program features all kinds of storytelling music,” said ISO’s music director and conductor, Taichi Fukumura, who is beginning his third season here. In addition to the impossibly tranquil “Morning Moon” and crazed “Hall of the Mountain King” (both passages from “Peer Gynt”) and the familiar themes of “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” – forever associated with Mickey Mouse’s army of out-of-control broomsticks from the classic animated film Fantasia – the evening’s music will also include “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks” by Richard Strauss.
The concert will also feature guest soloist Claire Wells, performing Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1.
“It’s a really serene, beautiful piece,” said Masetro Fukumura. “This is going to be one of the most ambitious programs we’ve done together. A lot of our season is like that. It’s pushing artistic boundaries while creating a really fun concert experience for our audience. So much of what we’ve planned this season is a response to the exciting growth that’s been happening in our past two seasons together.”
As an organization, the ISO seems to be thriving despite a fairly grim national outlook for regional symphonies.
“We’ve been having good successes in fundraising,” said ISO executive director Trevor Orthmann. “It seems you hear news of orchestras closing down almost every other week. That’s just the reality of the economics.”
According to Orthmann, some longtime ISO donors have increased their annual giving to support the orchestra, along with donations to the ISO’s endowment. In addition to working with a development consultant for the past year in an effort to strengthen and stabilize the orchestra for long-term growth, the orchestra also hired new development director Victora Calderone this past July.
In addition to Fukumura’s artistic achievements, the ISO can also point proudly to the growing success of the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra program. Run by Jacobsen Woolen, close to 300 area kids are participating, ranging from pre-K to high school.
“We’re not unique in that a lot of arts organizations have had to work to rebuild their audience post-pandemic,” said Beth Wakefield, ISO’s director of marketing and communications. “We’re finally seeing numbers like we’d had pre-pandemic. We still have more opportunity for growth, but at least we’re starting to see people come back.”
The box office is currently offering a 30% discount to first-time season ticket buyers.
Those new and returning audience members have a lot to look forward to in the remainder of 2026, including Ravel and Mussorgsky’s popular “Pictures at an Exhibition,” which will be featured in November’s program and a new approach to the Christmas Pops concert this year, which will include themes from well-loved holiday films like Home Alone along with more traditional offerings, as well as participation by members of the Youth Orchestra.
Wakefield also sees the kind of in-person concert experience provided by the ISO as an antidote to some prevailing cultural trends.
“In an age of AI, come and have a really good live experience,” she said. “It’s live music by world-class, professional musicians who come from all over the world. And it’s not just the music – it’s a chance to be part of a community.”
The Illinois Symphony Orchestra with guest soloist Claire Wells will perform “Tricks and Treats” at 7:30 p.m. Friday Oct. 30 at the UIS Auditorium. Click here for tickets and further information.
