Orchestra presenting spring concerts

The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Robert McConnell, will conclude its 63rd season with powerful concerts with artist in residence Sarah Roberts and twin sister Rachel Roberts.

The first concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Burlington?s Memorial Auditorium. Two additional performances will be given Sunday: 3 p.m. in Indian Hills Community College St. John Auditorium in Ottumwa; and 7:30 p.m. in the Iowa Wesleyan College chapel auditorium in Mt. Pleasant.

Sarah Roberts will perform David Canfield?s Concerto after Gliére for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra. Following intermission, the Roberts sisters will join forces for Saint-Saëns? Tarantelle for Flute, Clarinet and Orchestra.

The orchestra will complete the concert two powerful pieces, Dvo?ák?s Slovanic Dance No. 8 and Prokofiev?s Suite No. 2 from Romeo and Juliet.

A native of Fort Madison, Sarah Roberts made her soloist debut at the age of 17 with the Southeast Iowa Symphony performing Henri Tomasi?s Concerto for saxophone and orchestra. The following year she was a featured soloist with the Des Moines Symphony in Des Moines; and the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Mich. In 2008, she made her European debut after she was invited to perform with the Juilliard School?s AXIOM Ensemble on their Beyond the Machine 7.0 ? The Eye/Ear Collaboration concert at the Tanhalle in Zurch, Switzerland. Currently, Sarah Roberts has completed the coursework for a doctorate of musical arts degree in saxophone performance under the instruction of Dr. Eric Nestler, and she is the professor of woodwinds and bands at Tyler Junior College and teaches private saxophone, flute, clarinet, and oboe lessons; in addition to directing the Symphonic Band, directing the woodwind instrumental chamber ensemble, assisting with the TJC Marching Band and teaching classroom courses.

Sarah Roberts holds dual masters of music degrees in saxophone performance and jazz studies from the University of North Texas and dual bachelors degrees in saxophone performance and jazz studies from the University of Michigan.

Appointed by President Tony Woodcock in 2009 as founder and director of New England Conservatory?s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Department, Rachel Roberts was charged with designing and leading a major new initiative that would equip young musicians with key extra-musical skills to support their artistic careers. During the last four years, she has launched a wide range of experiential programs and curricula, including a signature grant initiative, courses on arts entrepreneurship, fellowships, creative performance projects, and more. Prior to joining NEC, she served as the first director of Strategic Planning Engagement for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, working on organizationwide strategic and governance objectives. Growing up in Iowa, Rachel studied flute and piano, which led her to pursue a degree in flute performance at the Eastman School of Music. She discovered the full range of professional pathways within the music industry, prompting her to explore a career in orchestra management, beginning as artistic and production assistant with the Houston Symphony. Beginning fall 2013, Rachel Roberts started parttime graduate studies through the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Admission to the spring concert series in Burlington, Ottumwa and Mt. Pleasant is by season ticket or single tickets may be purchased at the door. Adult tickets are $15 and student tickets are $10. Children aged 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Seating is not reserved. The performance in Burlington will be followed by a guest artists? reception in the auditorium banquet rooms. The reception, ?Just Desserts,? is a fundraiser for the orchestra, and tickets, available at the door, are $15 each.

Make the most of the concert experience by attending the ?prelude.? McConnell will be on hand 45 minutes before performances to talk about the music and the orchestra?s guest artists Sarah and Rachel Roberts.

More information, along with program notes are available on the SEISO website at www.seiso.us

For information, contact the SEISO Office at 319-385-6352 or seiso@iwc.edu.