Experience It All!
Whether it's your first time at the symphony or you're a long-time attendee, there are many ways to enhance your concert experience and meet other music enthusiasts.
Concert Comments
Join us one hour prior to each Symphony Orchestra concert for a special pre-concert discussion hosted by Mark McDonald in Springfield and Laura Kennedy in Normal with the guest conductor and guest artist or a member of the ISO! Concert Comments start at 6:30 pm and are held in the concert hall at each venue.
Schedule: Epic Ending May 5 & 6
Coda Conversations
Enjoy an intimate post-concert conversation with the guest conductor and musicians of the ISO after each Chamber Orchestra concert. Guests can move to the front of the church to learn more about the piece and to ask questions of our guest conductor or musician.
Schedule: Inspiring Influences April 14 & 15
Program Notes
Program notes provide an in-depth understanding of the works being performed in a concert. Notes engage audience members by describing the histories and personalities behind the music. Notes are available online, under each concert event on the website, and in program books that are available at all of our concerts.
Special Events Hosted by Our Guilds
Illinois Symphony Guild of Bloomington-Normal
- Concert Chats: Special lunchtime series featuring concert insights by the guest conductor, guest artist, or a musician of the ISO at the Bloomington Country Club. This special lunchtime series takes place on Wednesdays prior to each Symphony concert.
Schedule: Concert Chats for Epic Ending May 3
- Pre-Concert Dinners: Join other music enthusiasts prior to the Chamber Orchestra concerts for a special dinner hosted at Second Presbyterian Church.
Schedule: Inspiring Influences April 15
Illinois Symphony Guild of Springfield
- Symphony Suppers: Join other music enthusiasts prior to Symphony Orchestra concerts for a pre-concert dinner at the PAC Restaurant at UIS.
Schedule: Symphony Supper Epic Ending May 5
Learn more about the Illinois Symphony Guild of Bloomington-Normal or the Illinois Symphony Guild of Springfield and how you can become a member of this group of music enthusiasts.