About Us

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra is central Illinois’ largest professional orchestra serving over 35,000 patrons in the communities of Bloomington-Normal, Springfield and the surrounding region with symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, and Concerts for Kids series in each community. In addition to concert performances, the Orchestra's music education and outreach programs serve pre-K and elementary schools through the Itsy Arts and Music Matters education programs and reach middle schools, high schools, universities, community organizations and senior centers through guest artist residencies and musician and ensemble performances. The ISO also has an active Around the Town Chamber Music Series and virtual Sunday at Six Recital Series. The Illinois Symphony Orchestra has a budget of approximately $1.3 million.

In July 2020, the ISO acquired the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony (SVYS) organization that was started in the early 1970s by parents, music teachers and musicians to keep string programs and youth orchestra in Springfield and surrounding communities following the elimination of all school orchestra programs. Now, the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestras (ISYO) programs consist of Starter and Junior Strings, Preparatory Orchestra, Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra serving over 150 students. The ISO also has a partnership in education and community engagement (PEACE) with the UIS-School of Music and Illinois State University’s Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and School of Music.

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Mission & Vision

To inspire our audiences through exceptional LIVE orchestral performances and programs. - Mission Statement

To be the premier regional orchestra in Illinois, promoting the transformative and universal power of LIVE music. -Vision Statement

Core Values

Excellence

To commit to the highest level of artistic, administrative, and volunteer achievement.

Community Engagement

To foster meaningful relationships throughout our communities through musical performances, programs, and collaborations that engage the hearts and minds of our listeners.

Education

To provide exciting, life changing opportunities and resources for students of ALL ages.

Collaboration

To build our internal and external relationships as we promote accessibility to our organization.

Legacy

To invest responsibly in our present, to plan dutifully for our future, and to nurture our community's investment in us.

Innovation

To foster the creation and exploration of new ideas both on and off stage.

Mission & Vision Statement along with Core Values were adopted by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors on Monday, May 22, 2017.

Get Involved with Illinois Symphony

Our patrons, donors, and sponsors are a large part of what makes our orchestra great and our concerts successful! If you'd like to take part in making a difference for our orchestra, click Donate Today button. Thank you!

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