ASO returns to live performances with October concert – Alton Telegraph

ALTON The Alton Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is getting somewhat back to normal, just like the rest of the world, as it opens its 2021-2022 season on stage and in person, albeit with a few safety restrictions in place.

Newly elected ASO president Jessica Poddig said the orchestra is feeling energetic about connecting with the audience again.

Its been a year and a half since the orchestra and the audience have seen each other, and we are ready to fill the community with music again, Poddig said. Its very important to us that we are not only playing music that the community wants to hear, but also music that the orchestra members want to perform.

Midway through the season orchestra member suggestions are gathered and posted on social media asking the audience what they would like to hear. All those suggestions are formulated and given to the Music Selection Committee that is composed of orchestra members, who create an idea for each concert in the season. That list is then given to Maestro Shane Williams, who uses that as a guide to choose pieces to help make the orchestra and the communitys program come alive.

The upcoming Adventures on the Water is at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Hatheway Cultural Center, at Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey. ASO adheres LCCCs guidelines, requiring masks for all people on campus, including visitors and concert goers, regardless of vaccination status. Tickets cost $10 for adults, and $5 for those 18 and younger at http://www.altonsymphonyorchestra.org. They can be picked up at will call the day of the concert.

Adventures on the Water journeys from the sea caves of the Hebrides to pirate ships on the high seas, taking the audience through an experience of emotional beauty and vigorous excitement of being on the water with ASO. Pieces will include Hebrides Overture, songs from Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Blue Danube Waltz, among others. Concerts always begin with The Star Spangled Banner, sung by Rachel Harrah. And 15 minutes before the concert, Maestro Minutes features Williams sharing miscellaneous facts and themes about the pieces the orchestra will be playing. Ballerina Molly Cook will also appear with the symphony.

Poddig has been playing the French horn with the orchestra since 2014, and been a board member since 2015. She was previously ASO vice president.

I hope as president I can expand ASO to become a greater part of the community, she said. I want our organization to take a greater part in music education, collaborate more with local fine arts groups, and reach all parts of the greater Alton community to truly Make Music Come Alive For All.

Making the Music Come Alive for All has been ASOs motto since Williams came aboard as the conductor eight years ago. He believes to enjoy music is to enjoy beauty. It soothes the soul, brings joy to the heart, makes our bodies want to move, he said.

Last years ASO offerings were a bit unusual with all concerts presented virtually, but Williams said the response was good, and many patrons expressed their appreciation for still providing concerts throughout the extraordinary time.

And though the concerts are once again live, this years Marie Stillwell Concerto Competition will again be held virtually. Submissions will be accepted online, along with recordings of each competitors performance. The competition will be administered by the new chair of the education committee, Casey Hansen.

There are currently more than 40 members in the orchestra with plans to add a few new members. In addition to Poddig, new officers are vice president Sydney Reynolds; treasurer, Melissa Bock; and secretary, Casey Hansen. ASO is also starting the new season with a newly elected executive board of directors. ASO is always looking for more community members to be involved on the board. If interested in joining, send an email to http://www.altonsympyhony@gmail.com.

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ASO returns to live performances with October concert - Alton Telegraph