Coming attractions - A glimpse into 2004-05 symphony season

The public has an opportunity to get a sneak preview into the 2004-2005 concert season of the Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra and hear a free concert by symphony musicians and guest soloist Liesl Schoenberger at the Summer Symphony Preview on Sunday.

This is the first year a symphony preview has been open to the public.

"We're very excited about it and we hope to make it an annual event," said the symphony's conductor, Dr. Sara Edgerton.

Edgerton said concert series previews are common practice with several school and professional symphonies, as a way to raise consciousness about the symphony's subscription series. The orchestra has only had a subscription series since 2001, and Edgerton said it has become very successful in attracting students to the university and the community to performances.

Sunday's guest violin soloist Schoenberger performed at the premiere subscription series concert in 2001, when she was a senior at Notre Dame Regional High School.

By that time, Schoenberger was already a musical veteran and a recognizable face at area concerts and events. She started playing the violin at age 2 1/2 and as a child attended music classes at Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Ill., and even at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., about 300 miles from Cape Girardeau.

Schoenberger returned to Indiana University for college and will enter her junior year when school starts, majoring in violin performance.

"It's a whole new level. The expectations are so much higher," she said of playing music in college.

This summer, Schoenberger has devoted more time to music, teaching violin from home and playing at the Orford Arts Festival in Quebec, Canada, and at the Innsbrook Institute in Innsbrook, Mo.

Schoenberger also asked Edgerton, with whom she has played shows with over the years, whether there were any shows or projects for her to take part in this summer. The summer symphony preview was the result.

"I thought people would really enjoy a chance to hear her. She hasn't performed in Cape in years," Edgerton said of choosing Schoenberger as the guest soloist.

In addition to Schoenberger, the preview's recital, "Music for a Summer Afternoon," will also feature performances by symphony musicians Brandon Christensen on violin, Sara Edgerton on cello, Kirk Miller on cello and Christina Van Nostrand on flute. The recital starts at 3 p.m.

The preview will also offer refreshments, brochures and information about the upcoming concert season and a chance to purchase season tickets. Tickets for individual concerts go on sale Aug. 1.

The symphony's first concert will be Oct. 5 with featured soloist Judith Farris, a Cape Girardeau native and opera singer.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

Want to go?

What: Summer Symphony Preview

When: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 25

Where: Rose Theatre at Southeast Missouri State University