DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra (DYSO) is teaming up with a chamber orchestra of musicians from the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra for a concert in April.
The performance, titled "Side by Side," will include music from several composers including Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland and Chevalier de St. George.
The DYSO program is an extra-curricular opportunity for young musicians to come together and develop their skills with guidance from experienced music educators. It is offered through the Millikin Preparatory Department, and includes students from 6th to 12th grade from 20 different schools in the Decatur area.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our DYSO musicians to work with professional players and something I've wanted to do for a very long time," said Dr. Neal Smith, an associate professor of winds and music education at the Millikin School of Music. "There's no better way to get better as a musician than by sitting next to an experienced performer and absorbing their sound and technique."
"Side by Side" will be on April 26 at 2 p.m. in the Decatur Civic Center. The concert is free and open to the public.
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