Arts & Issues

The orchestras of both Southern Illinois campuses will combine for an evening of exceptional music with pianist Awadagin Pratt. Among his generation of concert artists, Pratt is acclaimed for his musical insight and intensely involved performances both in recital and with symphony orchestras.  

Born in Pittsburgh, Pratt began studying piano at the age of 6. Three years later, having moved to Normal, Ill. with his family, he also started studying violin. At the age of 16 he entered the University of Illinois where he studied piano, violin, and conducting. He later graduated with degrees in those areas from the Peabody Conservatory of Music at John Hopkins University, making history as the first student at that institution to receive diplomas in three performance areas. In recognition of this achievement and for his work in the field of classical music, Pratt received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Johns Hopkins as well as an honorary doctorate from Illinois Wesleyan University. Pratt will perform Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor with the combined orchestra in the first half of the concert. The combined orchestras will perform Mahler Symphony No. 1 in the second half.

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Don't miss the pre-show dinner prior to the combined orchestra concert! 

Preferred seating is available for those who attend the preshow SIUE Friends of Music dinner buffet prior to the combined orchestra concert. For those attending the dinner, Arts & Issues will donate your ticket purchase for the concert to the Friends of Music scholarship fund for our SIUE students. Tickets for the dinner are $25 and can be purchased through Arts & Issues.There will be a reception with cash bar at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the Morris University Center Conference Center on the second floor. If you need additional information, please call 618-650-5194.

The Friends of Music Benefit Dinner is not included in the Arts & Issues ticket subscription package. Tickets to the benefit dinner must be purchased separately.