We began our 2019-20 season with a celebration of “Our American Family,” including selections from Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs featuring baritone Nathan Wessolowski. As Immigrants are an important part of our nation’s tapestry, we invited four RSO musicians, including Personnel Manager Anna Kojovic, to share their experiences of becoming Americans.

August Concert was a celebration of local talent with our second “Racine, Live!” Talent Showcase. Three local artists were featured including soprano April Sorenson, ballroom dancers Leigh Ann Elcano and Jaclyn Cole and local success story, Racinian Ryan Andersen. Ryan grew up in Racine, began playing the cello in RUSD, participated in multiple RSO education programs and is now a strings teacher in RUSD who is bringing his love of music to the next generation.

In the fall, our Artist-in-Residence program featured an outside the box choice of a musicologist, Meghan Heinrich. Meghan toured Racine schools and community centers bringing her unique and vibrant perspective on classical music to many segments of the Racine population.

Our fall Masterworks Concert featured audience favorite, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. The performance was held in Bedford Hall on the UW-Parkside campus, as seen in this birdseye view of a rehearsal.

In December, we continued our tradition of the Holiday Pops Concert, featuring the combined choirs of Washington Park High School. As always, the Christmas Carol Sing-Along brought the house.

The winner of our 2020 Young Artist Competition was Walden III student Lydia Weaver. Had our concert season not been cut short by the Covid-19 public health emergency COVID-19, Lydia would have performed Mozart’s Concerto in G with the RSO on April 6. We were disappointed to cancel this performance but stay tuned for future news of Lydia with the RSO.

Since publishing our Annual Report, RSO asked Lydia to perform a virtual concert for all to view.

Click here to view Lydia’s online performance.