About the IVSO

Since their first season in 1949-50, the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra has been striving to fulfill its mission "to entertain and inspire the community by performing live orchestral music." Music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary Periods has been prepared under the direction of seventeen conductors—from our first, Russell Harvey (1949-60), to our now 19th music director, Benjamin Klemme, who is taking the podium for his first year with our orchestra for our 77th season in 2026–27.

The business and development of the orchestra are overseen by a Board of Directors made up of community members throughout the Illinois Valley, with day-to-day administration by general manager Aelsa Woods.

One way we inspire the community is through intentional engagement and education. The annual Young Performers Competition and concert began in 1968 to provide Illinois Valley youth the opportunity to audition as soloists and, if selected, learn the art of performing with an orchestra.

In 1969, our first performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker ballet led to a performance of the ballet every other year as a partnership with local dance studios, youth choirs, stage crew, and digital media professionals.

Each year, the IVSO also performs for young people in school assemblies, alternating each year between Ottawa/Streator schools and La Salle-Peru/Spring Valley schools. Our vision is to “entertain a growing audience by performing quality music.”

The IVSO has presented symphonic works from the great masters to new composers, celebrating music from a variety of genres throughout history. Soloists from our communities, from across the country, and indeed, from around the world provide Illinois Valley audiences with the top-tier performances in our area’s finest concert venues.