Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra to open 77th season with red-carpet ‘Broadway to theBig Screen’
Oglesby, Ill. — The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will open its 77th season Saturday, Sept. 26, with a red-carpet celebration of the music of Broadway, Hollywood and a new chapter for the orchestra under the leadership of Music Director Benjamin Klemme. “Broadway to the Big Screen” begins at 4 p.m. at the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre at Illinois Valley Community College. The concert marks both the premiere of the IVSO’s 2026-27 season and Klemme’s first concert as the orchestra’s new music director.
The evening will begin with a red carpet outside the venue at 3:15 p.m., inviting concertgoers to embrace the theatrical spirit of the program. A pre-concert program preview led by Klemme will begin at 3:30 p.m. in CTC 124-125, followed by the concert at 4 p.m. The program will take audiences from Broadway to the silver screen, featuring music from some of the most beloved productions in theater and film. The first half includes selections from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, Les Misérables and Wicked.
Following intermission, the orchestra will turn to iconic film music, including John Williams’ Star Wars, Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, How to Train Your Dragon and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Klemme said the program is designed to celebrate the emotional power of music across both stage and screen. “The musicians and I cannot wait to whisk you away with larger-than-life stories, unforgettable melodies, and sweeping musical landscapes that capture the romance, heroism, and timeless emotion of the stage and silver screen,” Klemme said. “I feel deeply honored to join this incredible orchestra as Music Director and look forward to welcoming you...as we celebrate the inspiring musical talent of our region and share an evening of enduring musical memories.”
The concert will also highlight the Illinois Valley’s vibrant performing arts community. Representatives from local theater organizations Stage 212 in La Salle and Festival 56 in Princeton will be on hand to share information about their upcoming seasons and how community members can experience live theater locally.
The collaboration reflects the spirit of the IVSO’s 2026–27 season, “Together, Echoing,” which celebrates the power of music to connect communities and inspire across generations and eras.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for college students with ID. Students through 12th grade are admitted free. A limited number of flex-model subscriptions—five tickets for $80—will be available for purchase on-site at the concert.
