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Symphony Orchestra Guild Newsletters
Our signature newsletters, developed just for Guild members.
View previous newsletters here.
November 2025
MASTERWORKS II
SYMPHONIC COLORS,
featuring the second candidate for the position of MDSO conductor, Matthew Shephard. This issue includes an in-depth look at Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony as well as an update of how the Symphony Guild has brought music to the students of Decatur and surrounding areas.
February 2026
MASTERWORKS III, A Mosaic from Heaven and Young Artists,
featuring the third candidate for the position of MDSO conductor, Alison Gaines. The MDSO will perform Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony and the Young Artist winners, Isabella Haney and Eric Brindle, will perform with the MDSO.
April 2026
MASTERWORKS IV Season Finale featuring A German Requiem by Brahms conducted by guest conductor Dr. Ben Hawkinson, featuring the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra, the Millikin Choirs and Decatur’s Opus 24 Community Choir. Get an in-depth look at the German Requiem as well as an update on the Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra by Dr. Neal Smith.
November 2024
MASTERWORKS II
AMERICAN SOUNDSCAPES
featuring an update of the Music Education activities of the Symphony Guild, the DYSO and an in-depth look at Aaron Copland’s “Symphony No. 3.”
Make your reservations now for our upcoming 2024 Golden Holiday Gala on December 6, 2024!
October 2024
MASTERWORKS I
featuring new Concertmaster, Ga-Eun Kim and highlights of the concert, including a feature of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Sherherazade.” 2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur!
April 2024
MASTERWORKS IV Season Finale featuring the Duke Ellington suite of short jazz pieces, “The River” as well as an in-depth look at Jennifer Higdon’s, “Blue Cathedral.”
February 2025
MASTERWORKS III featuring the winners of the Young Artist Competition as well as an in-depth look at Benjamin Britten’s “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.
October 2025
MASTERWORKS I featuring the first candidate for Director of the MDSO, Silas Huff as well as soloist David Cook for a dance-inspired program featuring Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances, Weber’s second clarinet concerto, and Beethoven’s venerable Symphony No. 7.
October 2023
MASTERWORKS I featuring Guest Soprano Indra Thomas and a behind the scenes look at the MDSO by Mackenzie Mann, MDSO music librarian.
April 2023
MASTERWORKS IV featuring soloist Pei-I Wang and and in depth look at the return of live performances by Millikin faculty and students in the Decatur Public Schools.
March 2023
Masterworks III featuring the Milikin’s 2022/2023 Concerto/Aria Competition Winners – Victor Lawton, David Gartner and Risako Hida.
November 2023
MASTERWORKS II featuring guest conductor Richard Haglund, and an in depth look at how the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur brought music into the schools in the Decatur, IL community. Highlights of our upcoming Holiday Gala.
February 2024
MASTERWORKS III featuring the Milikin’s 2023/24 Concerto/Aria Competition Winners – Mackenzie Mann and Devon Hill.
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Symphony Orchestra Guild Announcements
Videos and articles to keep our patrons in-the-know.
Meet William McClain, MDSO Conductor
Meet Dr. William McClain, conductor of the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra.
Get Concert Tickets
Visit the Kirkland Fine Arts Center website to purchase single concert tickets. Clicking the button below will redirect you to Kirkland’s MDSO Events page.
If you would like to purchase Season Tickets with Preferred Seating, consider becoming a Guild member! Learn more about joining the Guild here.
Contact the Guild
Phone
Address
P.O. Box 1541
Decatur, IL 62525-1541