Free 'Pops in the Park' with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra         

Red Cross to accept donations

[SEPT. 3, 2005]  BLOOMINGTON -- The public is invited to attend the second annual "Pops in the Park" concert with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Miller Park in Bloomington. The Pantagraph is once again sponsoring the event. Admission to the concert is free and a "Symphony Sweet Treats" bake sale will be at 6 p.m. An official from the Red Cross will be on hand to accept donations toward Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Karen Lynne Deal, music director and conductor, will lead the Illinois Symphony Orchestra in "A Patriotic Parade," which will include a variety of patriotic and pops concert favorites.

The concert will be at the band shell in the park, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on park premises, and the event will be canceled in case of inclement weather.

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra performs not only in Springfield but also in Bloomington, drawing musicians from across Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin. For more information call [phone] or visit www.ilsymphony.org.

The orchestra is supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

[Illinois Symphony Orchestra news release]