Name: Joliet Symphony Orchestra: Made in America
Start: 2026-02-22T16:00:00-06:00
Location: University of St. Francis

Joliet Symphony Orchestra: Made in America

The Joliet Symphony Orchestra (JSO) is pleased to announce the third concert set of its 2025-2026 Season, its 21st, with Artistic Director & Conductor, Dr. Sean Paul MILLS, leading a program of American music by Aaron COPLAND, Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR, and Howard HANSON, and featuring Jennifer BARRETT, mezzo-soprano; Alyson BAUMAN, trumpet; and Christi ALLISON, English horn.

Titled “Made in America”, the JSO will be performing two works by Aaron COPLAND: the atmospheric “Quiet City”, featuring JSO Principal Trumpet Alyson BAUMAN and JSO Principal Oboe & English horn Christi ALLISON as soloists and “Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson” with Guest Artist mezzo-soprano Jennifer BARRETT Also on the program are Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR’s exuberant “Ballade in a minor” and Howard HANSON’s luscious “Symphony No. 2 – Romantic.”

Guest Artist Jennifer L. BARRETT holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education from North Central College, and a Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy from Northeastern Illinois University. On stage, she has been praised for her “plummy” voice, sharp diction, and “strikingly lovely” character portrayals. Area credits include shows with Natural Talent Productions, The Savoyaires, New Philharmonic Orchestra, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble, Opera on Tap Chicago, Main Street Opera, and The Floating Opera Company. Jennifer is honored to also serve the Chicago opera community as an up-and-coming opera director. She reinstated the North Central College OpShop (Opera Workshop) program three years ago and, in 2023, made her directorial debut at Roosevelt University's OperaFest. A Chicago-area native, Jennifer has been teaching private voice for over 25 years, in her home studio and as a professor of Classical and Musical Theater Voice at North Central College. She also serves as the Alto section leader at First United Methodist of LaGrange, and is a member of the Alto section of Consonance Chicago. Jennifer currently resides with her wife, Tracey, and has two children: Rebecca and Aiden.

Performances will take place on Saturday, February 21 @ 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 22 @ 4:00 p.m. Both performances will take place in Sexton Auditorium which is located in the Harold & Margaret Moser Performing Arts Center on the University of St. Francis campus at 500 Wilcox Street in Joliet.

Continuing this season is a series of FREE pre-concert discussions titled “Noteworthy.” These discussions will take place 45 minutes prior to each performance and provide audience members with an opportunity to learn more about the composers, selections, orchestra, and soloists as well as ask questions and interact with our conductor and guests.

Tickets for JSO concerts are available through the JSO website at www.jolietsymphonyorchestra.org, the Music at Moser website at www.stfrancis.edu/music-at-moser/, and at the door beginning one (1) hour before each performance. Adults are $10; Seniors, Alumni & Non-USF Students are $5; USF Students, Music Educators, and Youth (18 & under) are FREE with a current ID.

Please join us as we continue our 21st season of exciting guest artists, moving musical performances, and new opportunities for you to engage with your local symphony.