CENTRALIA
PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA
Orchestra News
It's About Time: The World of Percussion to be featured in May 7 Concert
CABASAS? VIBRASLAPS? GUIROS? AGOGO BELLS? Are these Asian plants? Organic foods? Nope! They are relatives of gongs, finger cymbals, xylophones, bells, rattles, cymbals and many types of drums in the percussion section of orchestras and bands. You can slap them with your hand, beat them with mallets or sticks, use a pedal-operated beater, or just shake them. They are instruments that help you keep the beat in time with melodies.
"It's About Time" is the theme of the Orchestra's May 7 concert. In a program that features the Orchestra's percussion section as well as the Kaskaskia College Percussion Ensemble, you will have an opportunity to hear, see and learn about percussion instruments from around the world. The Orchestra will perform a variety of popular and classical pieces that demonstrate the versatility of all these instruments. You will also have an opportunity to meet the performers and see an up-close demonstration of percussion instruments following the performance.
The Sunday, May 7 performance begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Arts Center. Regular tickets are $10 with discounted tickets of $8 for patrons and $5 for youth, ages 12 and under, also available. For advance tickets phone 618.532.2951 or obtain tickets at the door the day of the performance.
Sponsors for the final performance of the Orchestra's 62nd season are: Maryann Langenfeld, Julianne Boltz and Viki Oliver Loomis.
Sacred Music Concert Celebrated the Easter Season
The Centralia Cultural Society’s biennial Sacred Music Concert returned on Sunday, March 26 to celebrate the Easter season. Performed for the first time before a large crowd in the City Hope Church Auditorium, the concert featured the Centralia Philharmonic Orchestra, Mathew Webster, conductor; the Centralia Choral Society, Marge Kasten, director; and the Kaskaskia College Community Chorale, Lynda Marshall, director. In addition to pieces performed by each group, the Orchestra and Choruses combined for a stirring rendition of "Nearer My God to Thee" as well as the finale, "Jesus Shall Reign", where the audience joined in on the final chorus.
Sponsors for the event were: Maryann Langenfeld, Season Sponsor; Lorraine Bassett, Performer Sponsor; and Supporter Sponsors Sandy Beguelin, Lucille McLaughlin, and Dr. Lyle and Paulette Pahnke.
Leila Crain (l) accepts sponsorship check from Judy Degenhardt of Jackman's Fabrics.
Orchestra went "Home for Christmas" in a return to City Hope Church Auditorium
The Centralia Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated the holidays with the 62nd Annual Holiday Festival Concert on December 4th. The theme of the concert was "We'll be home for Christmas" as the annual event returned to the City Hope Church Auditorium for the first time since Centralia High School moved to its new campus in 2006.
The large audience heard a program of traditional holiday music as well as popular favorites from the Orchestra, the Centralia Choral Society and the Kaskaskia College Concert Choir. The Phil'z Harmoniks string ensemble performed in the lobby prior to the performance where guests enjoyed refreshments served by the Actors in Action theatre group. Centralia Business and Professional Women's Club members provided house management support.
We express our sincere gratitude to the following sponsors who helped make the event possible: Maryann Langenfeld, Dr. Seth and Leslie Hahs, Rebecca Carpenter Timmermann, Peoples National Bank and Jackman's Fabrics.
Large Crowd Attends Family Concert
A large and enthusiastic crowd attended the Family Concert on October 16 which opened the Orchestra's 62nd season. Conductor Mat Webster led players through pieces that highlighted various sections of the orchestra while introducing specific instruments and explaining their backgrounds and role in the orchestra. After the performance, Orchestra players were available in the Arts Center Gallery to provide audience members with a more close-up look at various instruments. Near the end of the performance, a drawing was held to award the tickets to see the musical Frozen at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis.
A special thanks to the following sponsors who helped make the concert possible:
Maryann Langenfeld
Lorraine Bassett
Viki Oliver Loomis
Midland States Bank
Connor Lorence Wins Beguelin Scholarship
Connor Lorence is the 2022 recipient of the Chad Beguelin Fine Arts Scholarship, a $5,000 annual award granted to a high school or college student seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree in the arts. Connor is a 2022 graduate of Centralia High School and an entering freshman at Louisiana State University majoring in Music Education. His goal is to become a high school band director. Throughout his school years, he performed with the band, chorus, Centralia Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Kaskaskia College Community and Honor Bands.
Connor receives his check from the Chad Beguelin Fine Arts Scholarship Committee. Pictured left to right are: Viki Loomis, Leila Crain, Connor Lorence and Tom Hawkins.
