University of St. Francis invites musicians to join orchestra
Area orchestral musicians are invited to join the new Joliet Orchestra of the University of St. Francis. The first rehearsal will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8 in the university’s Moser Performing Arts Center. Rehearsals will continue on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information about the orchestra, call the Music and Performing Arts Department at (815) 740-3219.
The Joliet Orchestra of the University of St. Francis will perform a varied repertoire of orchestral literature. The orchestra will be open to USF students and members of the area community, according to Patrick Brannon, chair of USF’s Music and Performing Arts Department. "The orchestra will fill a need within the university and the Joliet area for an orchestral ensemble. There have been several requests in the past several years for such a group at USF as well as requests from area string players who were interested in playing in an orchestra in Joliet. By organizing a university/community orchestra, both needs can be met--particularly the needs of our growing music department," Brannon said.
USF has appointed Michael Sundblad as director of the new orchestra, which is part of the expanding music program at USF which offers bachelor of Arts and bachelor of music degrees, according to Brannon.
The University of St. Francis, at 500 Wilcox St., was founded in 1920. The university offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate study in arts and sciences, business, education, music, nursing and allied health and social work. Twelve graduate programs in business, education and health care are also offered, many through a convenient online format.