Joliet, Ill. – The Joliet Symphony Orchestra (JSO) is pleased to announce the second concert set of its 2025-2026 Season, its 21st, with Artistic Director & Conductor, Dr. Sean Paul Mills, leading a program of music by Hector BERLIOZ, Johannes BRAHMS, and Ludwig van BEETHOVEN, and featuring violinist Rebekah COPE-EVERS and cellist Patricia WHITE as soloists.
Titled “Fate & Destiny”, the JSO will be performing Hector BERLIOZ’s playful “Hungarian March”, Johannes BRAHMS’ powerful “Double Concerto in a minor” for solo violin, solo cello & orchestra, and Ludwig van BEETHOVEN’s dramatic “Symphony No. 5 in c minor.”
Performances will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 23, 2025 @ 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.
Joining the JSO for the “Double Concerto in a minor” are violinist Rebekah COPE-EVERS and cellist Patricia WHITE. Originally from the United Kingdom, Rebekah Cope-Evers studied at Chetham’s School of Music, received her bachelor’s degree from the Royal Northern College of Music, and earned her master’s degree at Northwestern University. Her teachers have included Yossi Zivoni, Gerardo Ribiero, and Shmuel Askenasi. Rebekah has performed chamber and solo concerts across the U.S. and Europe, and is currently the violin professor at Olivet Nazarene University, a member of the Lakeside Artists Guild, and concertmistress of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with the Elgin Symphony, Chicago Philharmonic, Bolshoi Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and artists such as The Beach Boys, Rod Stewart, and Tony Bennett.
Born in Chicago and raised in Bartlett, cellist Patricia White now lives in Merrillville. She started cello during the 4th grade and made her solo debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the age of 16 after winning the Chicago Symphony Youth Auditions. She went on to receive both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Cello Performance from the Juilliard School where she studied with Leonard Rose, Harvey Shapiro, and Joel Krosnick. Patricia has established herself as a premier cello performer and teacher in Northwest Indiana, and is a founding member of Lakeside Artists Guild & Academy, is adjunct professor of cello at Olivet Nazarene University, plays in the Northwest Indiana Symphony, and is principal cellist of the South Shore Orchestra.
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 begin a season of exciting guest artists, moving musical performances, and new opportunities for you to engage with your local symphony.
WHO:
Joliet Symphony Orchestra
Sean Paul Mills, Artistic Director & Conductor
Rebekah Cope-Evers, violin soloist
Patricia White, cello soloist
WHAT:
“Fate & Destiny”
WHEN:
Saturday, November 22, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 23, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.
FREE Pre-concert discussion begins 45 minutes prior to each performance
WHERE:
Sexton Auditorium in the Harold & Margaret Moser Performing Arts Center
University of St. Francis
500 Wilcox Street (Joliet)
PRICE:
Adults $10
Seniors, Alumni & Non-USF Students $5
USF Students $0
Music Educators (with ID) $0
Students 18 & under $0
Tickets available online at “Music at Moser” and at the door
PROGRAM:
Hector BERLIOZ: Hungarian March
Johannes BRAHMS: Double Concerto in a minor
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 in c minor
LINKS: JSO Website: www.jolietsymphonyorchestra.org TICKETS: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=tQXqgY
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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 54,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.
University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.
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