University of St. Francis forms community orchestra
The University of St. Francis is expanding its music program offerings and has appointed a director for its newly organized orchestra that will begin rehearsals in September.
USF’s Music and Performing Arts Department has formed the Joliet Orchestra of the University of St. Francis and appointed Michael Sundblad as its director. The new orchestra is part of the expanding music program at USF which offers bachelor of Arts and bachelor of music degrees, according to Patrick Brannon, department chairman.
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 Brannon. "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.
The orchestra’s new director Sundblad earned his master of music degree in Orchestral Conducting at Illinois State University in Normal; he was a student of University Orchestras & Opera director Glen Block. He received his undergraduate degree in 2003 from North Central College where he served as music director and conductor of the North Central College Community Theatre.
All 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 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, 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.
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