Civil War-Era Band to Open Concerts on the Quad July 2

Date: 6/20/07
Contact: Marc Lebovitz

Just as the Illinois Shakespeare Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer, the outdoor concert series accompanying the festival also celebrates its 30th year.

Originally called the Monday Night Chamber Series and presented in the Ewing Manor Courtyard on Mondays (when the Shakespeare stage is dark) the concert series grew in popularity until the size of the audiences forced a move to the ISU quad.

The concert series continues to grow in popularity continues to draw a large audience and continues to be free and open to the public. The 7 p.m. Monday night concerts during July take place on the northwest corner of the quad next to Cook Hall. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.

As an acknowledgement of Illinois State University’s 150th year celebration, this year’s concert series will begin July 2 with the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band, an authentic reenactment of the actual Civil War-era band that was mustered at State Normal University in 1861.

The July 9 concert will feature Illinois State School of Music string faculty and guests in an evening of chamber music. On July 16, the 10th annual ISU Jazz Festival will take place at 7 p.m., and the July 23 concert will feature The Dorians, a Celtic band from Carbondale offering ballads and dance music from the Irish and Scottish traditions. The closing summer concert on July 30 will feature ISU vocal faculty and guests singing favorites from the operatic and Broadway stages.

In case of inclement weather, the concerts will be presented in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall. If that change of locations is necessary, it will be announced after 5 p.m. on radio stations WGLT, WJBC and WBNQ.