News from Knox-Galesburg Symphony

POLAY AGAIN NAMED ILLINOIS COUNCIL OF ORCHESTRA�S CONDUCTOR OF THE YEAR

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:29:00 -0700

Galesburg, IL -- The Illinois Council of Orchestras� (ICO) recently announced its 2010 awards recipients including its coveted 2010 �Illinois Conductor of the Year, Professional Orchestra� Award to Dr. Bruce Polay, Knox-Galesburg Symphony (KGS) artistic director/conductor and Knox College professor of music and music chair. Polay will be honored locally with ICO Awards Chair Bryan Shilander from Chicago presenting the award at the April 17 Knox-Galesburg Symphony finale subscription concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg, Illinois. The ICO�s prestigious awards are presented annually to recognize artistic excellence and for support of orchestras throughout the state.

Polay, for an unprecedented 3rd time, was chosen to receive the prestigious �Conductor of the Year� Award, based on his innovation in programming, soloist selection, quality of KGS concert performances, personal involvement in the community and his relationship with the KGS musicians and Galesburg Symphony Society Board of Directors. According to Pearl Strickland, KGS Executive Director, the nomination statement submitted was multi-faceted: �Polay deserves this award due to his over 25 years as a tireless advocate of the orchestra he conducts and the community he serves, and for being a �true� Maestro in the highest sense of the title. His excellence in artistry as a conductor, a performer, and composer and innovative programming expertise deserve acknowledgement at this coveted level�.

Through Polay�s dedication, vision and leadership statewide, nationally and internationally, he continually endeavors to bring stature, focus, and exposure to the performing arts in Illinois. As an acclaimed conductor, composer, competition judge, and pianist, he has appeared in each of these cultural arenas throughout IL as well as nationally and internationally � seizing the opportunity created by his global connections to introduce musicians of national and international stature to Illinois as KGS soloists. Polay has created a perpetual link for the Arts in Illinois through his talent, leadership, and focus on education.

Polay and the KGS have been consistently recognized by the ICO having received sixteen additional awards in eight other ICO Award categories: including Polay, as recipient of the �Cultural Leadership,� and �Programming of the Year� Awards in 2008 and 2006 respectively; the KGS three times as �Orchestra of the Year�, most recently in 2008; Pearl Strickland as recipient of the �Community Relations of the Year� and two-time recipient of the ICO �General Manager of the Year� Awards and Robert Clark as ICO �Board President of the Year� and �Volunteer of the Year.� Once recipient of an award, an organization or individual is not eligible for an award in the same category for five years.

An awards panel that included judges from outside arts organizations and the ICO, a state service organization for over 100 professional, community, youth, and college orchestras from throughout Illinois, reviewed the nominations. The Illinois Council of Orchestras (ICO) was founded in 1974 with a mission to encourage, promote and assist orchestras throughout the State of Illinois, to promote an exchange of information among members, including providing consultants and speakers, and to hold educational conferences for member organizations, including musicians, staffs, boards, volunteers and audiences. The ICO serves the diverse needs of Illinois musical ensembles by providing a variety of programs to give guidance and support to orchestras of all sizes and budgets in areas including management, artistic direction, and marketing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pearl Strickland, (309) 341-7268

KGS BOARD PRESIDENT RECEIVES ILLINOIS COUNCIL OF ORCHESTRAS� 2009 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:17:00 -0700

Galesburg, IL -- The Illinois Council of Orchestras� (ICO) recently announced recipients of its 2009 annual awards for excellence in support of musical organizations. Robert Clark, Galesburg Symphony Society (Knox-Galesburg Symphony Board) President is recipient of the ICO 2009 Volunteer of the Year Honorable Mention Award. The award will be presented to him by Bryan Shilander (Chicago, IL), chair of the ICO Awards at the April 25 Knox-Galesburg Symphony (KGS) 2009 season finale concert at the Orpheum Theatre, Galesburg IL.

The ICO awards panel of judges from the Illinois Council of Orchestras and from outside arts organizations reviewed nominations representing orchestras, youth orchestras, and chamber ensembles from across Illinois. Nomination criteria for the Volunteer of the Year category were based on number of hours and years of service and impact of the individual�s contribution on the organization. Clark, Human Resources Director of NAEIR and a KGS Board member since 1998, has been a KGS supporter and concert patron since moving to Galesburg in 1990. In addition to being an ordained minister, musician and involved in numerous community missions, Clark avidly serves the KGS on whatever Committee and in whatever capacity needed. His extraordinary support and devotion to the KGS is not only in immeasurable volunteer hours, deeds and the in-kind services he procures, but also in tangible results, earning him this year�s coveted ICO award. Clark was also recipient of the ICO�s 2005 Illinois Board President of the Year Award.

The Knox-Galesburg Symphony, founded in 1951, is one of 110 orchestras in the state of Illinois that supports the fourth largest number of orchestras in the United States. The Knox-Galesburg Symphony is an integral part of this west/central Illinois community, drawing instrumentalists from a 100 mile radius. Additionally, the Knox-Galesburg Symphony brings artists of state, national and international status to perform as guest soloists. Annually, the Symphony performs five subscription concerts, one non-subscription pops concert and a Concert on the Lawn and produced its first compact CD � "Golden". The KGS has been consistently recognized by the ICO having received fifteen additional awards in nine ICO Award categories: including three times as Illinois Orchestra of the Year and Bruce Polay, recipient of the Cultural Leadership of the Year, Programming of the Year and twice as Illinois Conductor of the Year as well as Pearl Strickland the Community Relations of the Year, and twice as General Manager of the Year.

The Illinois Council of Orchestra (ICO) was founded in 1974 with a mission to encourage, promote and assist orchestras throughout the State of Illinois, to promote an exchange of information among members, including providing consultants and speakers, and to hold educational conferences for member organization, including musicians, staffs, boards, volunteers and audiences. The first Orchestra of the Year award was presented in 1980 with awards in various categories added in subsequent years. The ICO is the state service organization for over 100 professional, community, youth, and college orchestras from throughout Illinois. The ICO serves the diverse needs of Illinois musical ensembles by providing a variety of programs to give guidance and support to orchestras of all sizes and budgets in areas including management, artistic direction, and marketing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pearl Strickland, (309) 341-7268

KGS RECEIVES TWO 2008 ILLINOIS COUNCIL OF ORCHESTRAS� STATE AWARDS

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Galesburg, IL - The Illinois Council of Orchestras� (ICO) coveted 2008 �Illinois Cultural Leadership of the Year� Award was presented to Dr. Bruce Polay, Knox-Galesburg Symphony (KGS) artistic director/conductor. On behalf of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, Galesburg Symphony Society, Knox College and the Galesburg community, Polay also accepted *the 2008 �Illinois Orchestra of the Year� Award for the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, an unprecedented three-time recipient of this prestigious ICO Award. Polay, accompanied by David Sherrard, Galesburg Symphony Society president, was presented the awards by Marie Ann Vos, ICO president and Bryan Shilander, chair of the ICO Awards on Friday, February 29 at the ICO�s annual Awards Presentation Ceremony in Chicago, IL. Details are being formulated to locally honor Polay and the KGS at the April 19, 2008 Knox-Galesburg Symphony subscription concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg, Illinois. The Illinois Council of Orchestras� prestigious awards are presented annually to recognize artistic excellence and innovative commitment to classical music in Illinois.

Currently celebrating his 25th Anniversary as KGS artistic director/conductor and Knox College Professor of Music, Polay was chosen to receive the �Illinois Cultural Leadership� Award as he has demonstrated sustained leadership, extending beyond the Knox-Galesburg Symphony and his community that has profoundly impacted the state of the Arts in Illinois. Through his dedication, vision and leadership statewide, nationally and internationally, Polay�s endeavors continue to bring stature, focus, and exposure to the performing arts in Illinois. As an acclaimed conductor, composer, competition judge, and pianist, he has appeared in each of these cultural arenas throughout IL as well as nationally and internationally � seizing the opportunity created by his global connections to introduce musicians of national and international stature to Illinois as KGS soloists. Polay has created a perpetual link for the Arts in Illinois through his talent, leadership, and focus on education. As Polay celebrates his 25th Anniversary, it is an appropriate time to recognize his dedication and loyalty to the preservation, education, and advancement of the Arts.

�Orchestra of the Year� Award applicants were judged in areas such as artistic quality, programming, community involvement/outreach, opportunities for youth, fiscal responsibility, and community support. The Knox-Galesburg Symphony, originating in 1951, is one of 110 orchestras in the state of Illinois, which supports the fourth largest number of orchestras in the United States. The Knox-Galesburg Symphony is an integral part of this west/central Illinois community, drawing instrumentalists from a 100 mile radius. Additionally, the Knox-Galesburg Symphony brings artists of state, national and international status to perform as guest soloists. Annually, the Symphony performs five subscription concerts, one non-subscription pops concert and a "Concert on the Lawn" and produced its first compact CD � �Golden�. The KGS has been consistently recognized by the ICO having received fourteen additional awards in seven other ICO Award categories: including Bruce Polay, twice selected as "Illinois Conductor of the Year" as well as recipient of the "Programming of the Year" Award; Pearl Strickland was named "General Manager of the Year" for the 2nd time in 2007 and a previous recipient of the ICO "Community Relations of the Year" Award and Robert Clark as "Board President of the Year" Other KGS Award categories include "Contributor of the Year" and "Volunteer of the Year."

The Illinois Council of Orchestras (ICO) was founded in 1974 with a mission to encourage, promote and assist orchestras throughout the State of Illinois, to promote an exchange of information among members, including providing consultants and speakers, and to hold educational conferences for member organization, including musicians, staffs, boards, volunteers and audiences. The first �Orchestra of the Year� award was presented in 1980 with awards in various categories added in subsequent years. The ICO is the state service organization for over 100 professional, community, youth, and college orchestras from throughout Illinois. The ICO serves the diverse needs of Illinois musical ensembles by providing a variety of programs to give guidance and support to orchestras of all sizes and budgets in areas including management, artistic direction, and marketing.

SYMPHONY MANAGER HONORED - PEARL STRICKLAND WINS STATEWIDE AWARD

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:43:00 -0700

Pearl Strickland, executive director of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, has received the 2007 Illinois General Manager of the Year Award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras. Strickland has been with the symphony since 1996.

"Everyone in our community has benefited from Pearl's talents, abilities, and seemingly endless energy set forth on behalf of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony and the Galesburg Symphony Society," said Bruce Polay, the Symphony's artistic director and conductor. "Those of us who perform with the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, who have seen Pearl in action, cannot imagine a more deserving recipient for this award."

The award is Strickland's third state-wide honor from the Illinois Council of Orchestras (ICO). She previously won the General Manager of the Year Award in 2000 and the Community Relations of the Year Award in 2003. According to Polay, who serves on the ICO Board of Directors, Strickland is the first person to win the General Manager of the Year Award twice.

Polay, along with David Sherrard, Galesburg Symphony Society president, accompanied Strickland at the ICO's annual Awards Presentation Ceremony, February 16 in Chicago. The Symphony plans to honor Strickland at its April 28 concert in Galesburg.

The award was presented by ICO President Marie Ann Vos and ICO Award Committee Chair Bryan Shilander. According to the ICO, award criteria include "exemplary achievements and organizational and managerial abilities in support of musical organizations."

The ICO awards panel, which includes members from the Illinois Council of Orchestras and outside arts organizations, reviewed nominations from orchestras, youth orchestras, and chamber ensembles from across Illinois.

Founded in 1951, the Knox-Galesburg Symphony performs seven concerts a year in Galesburg. Since 1985, it has received a total of twelve awards from the Illinois Council of Orchestras, including Conductor of the Year, Programming of the Year, Orchestra of the Year, Board President of the Year, Community Relations of the Year, Contributor of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year.

The Illinois Council of Orchestra (ICO) was founded in 1974 to promote and assist its more than 100 member orchestras throughout the State of Illinois.

KGS WINS 2006 PROGRAMMING OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM THE ILLINOIS COUNCIL OF ORCHESTRAS

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 15:44:00 -0700

The Knox-Galesburg Symphony's most recent honor -- the prestigious 2006 Programming of the Year Award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras -- is the result of the leadership and vision of the Symphony's Artistic Director/Conductor Bruce Polay. Dr. Polay accepted the award at the ICO Awards Presentation ceremonies in Chicago on Friday February 17, 2006, when the annual honors for excellence were presented to each category award winner. Locally, Mary Ann Vos, Illinois Council of Orchestras (ICO) Board President, presented the ICO 2006 Illinois Programming of the Year Award to Dr. Polay at the April 22, 2006 subscription concert. At the concert, Polay also received Programming of the Year acknowledgements and awards from local and state dignitaries and the Galesburg Symphony Society (KGS Board of Directors). A private reception followed to honor Polay and the KGS. Nominations for the awards were reviewed by a panel of judges from the Illinois Council of Orchestras, which evaluated orchestras, youth orchestras, and chamber ensembles from across Illinois. The Programming Award specifically recognizes the KGS and maestro Polay for "innovative musical choices � new music, interesting soloists, and interesting themes." The Knox-Galesburg Symphony, founded in 1951, is one of 110 orchestras in the state of Illinois, which supports the fourth largest number of in-state orchestras in the United States. The KGS has been consistently recognized by the ICO, having received thirteen additional awards in seven other ICO Award categories including twice as Illinois Orchestra of the Year and Bruce Polay, twice as Illinois Conductor of the Year.

KGS BOARD PRESIDENT WINS STATE AWARD

Mon, 28 Feb 2005 15:46:00 -0700

Galesburg, IL -- Robert B. Clark, president of the Board of Directors of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, has been recognized with the 2005 Board President of the Year Award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras. The award was presented at the annual Illinois Council of Orchestras (ICO) awards ceremony, held in February at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Clark also will be honored at the Symphony's April 23 concert in Galesburg. Clark has been a member of the Galesburg Symphony Society Board since 2001 and board president for the past two years. Criteria for the Board President Award include "demonstrated leadership abilities; support of the board, staff and orchestra; and tangible results such as increased audience at concerts, new facilities, and increased fundraising," according to Bryan Shilander, chair of the ICO Awards Committee. "Bob Clark is an exceptionally articulate, insightful, compassionate and down-to-earth leader," said Bruce Polay, conductor/music director of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony. "Bob gives a tremendous amount of his time and effort to many arts organizations and cultural events in the community." Skilled on several musical instruments, Clark leads the Carl Sandburg College Rootabaga Jammers, performs with his own group, the Bob Clark Trio, and has directed Galesburg's TubaChristmas concert. He has served as pastor of several churches and since 2002 as director of the First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir.
Clark is Director of Human Resources at NAEIR and is active in the Galesburg Lion's Club and Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the boards of the Knox County United Way and Bridgeway, Inc. The ICO gives awards in several categories, from excellence in music performance, to fund-raising and other activities in support of musical organizations. The awards panel included judges from the Illinois Council of Orchestras and from outside arts organizations, who reviewed nominations from more than 100 orchestras, youth orchestras, and chamber ensembles. The Knox-Galesburg Symphony, founded in 1951, has won ten ICO awards in six categories, including two Orchestra of the Year awards, while Polay has won two Conductor of the Year awards. The KGS governing board, the Galesburg Symphony Society, includes 25 representatives from the community and from Knox College, which also provides office space, student staff and in-kind support. The 75-member orchestra draws instrumentalists from a 100-mile radius and guest artists of national and international stature.

POLAY NAMED CONDUCTOR OF THE YEAR

Fri, 27 Feb 2004 15:51:00 -0700

GALESBURG -- Bruce Polay, professor of music at Knox College and music director/conductor of Knox-Galesburg Symphony, has been named 2004 Illinois Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras (ICO).
Polay, who was also named Illinois Conductor of the Year in 1997, is the first conductor to win the award twice. The ICO, which comprises more than 100 professional, community and college orchestras in Illinois, bases the conducting award on the quality of programming and performances, selection of soloists, community involvement, and relationships with musicians and board.
The award was announced February 20 in Chicago at an ICO ceremony by Bryan Shilander, ICO awards committee chair, and Gene Bahls, ICO president. A formal presentation will be held in Galesburg at the Knox-Galesburg Symphony concert on Saturday, April 24, in the Orpheum Theatre.
The awards panel included judges from the Illinois Council of Orchestras and other arts organizations in Illinois.
Polay has taught at Knox and directed the KGS since 1984. Under his leadership, the symphony has expanded its season and established youth programs for local students. Also a pianist and composer, Polay has performed widely as a soloist and chamber musician, has won awards for his compositions, and has served as a guest conductor for orchestras in Belarus, England, Romania, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and the U.S.
During Polay's tenure, the KGS has won a total of nine ICO awards, and has been cited twice as Illinois Orchestra of the Year.

KNOX-GALESBURG SYMPHONY HONORED FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Mon, 28 Apr 2003 14:52:00 -0700

Galesburg, IL - The Illinois Council of Orchestras (ICO) 2003 Community/Public Relations of the Year Award was presented to the Knox-Galesburg Symphony (KGS) on April 26 by Karen McGirr of Chicago, president of the ICO board of directors. Bruce Polay, KGS music director/conductor, and Pearl Strickland, general manager, accepted the award on behalf of the KGS prior to the concert.

The award recognizes projects undertaken by the Knox-Galesburg Symphony during the Symphony's 50th anniversary, which benefited the community as a whole and which involved other community organizations. The projects included cooperative activities with Galesburg School District 205, Costa Catholic School, the Galesburg Public Library, Galesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Galesburg Teen Court and other youth and community service groups. The programs featured both outreach activities and free tickets to Symphony concerts for area youth, foster families, and disadvantaged children.

The Knox-Galesburg Symphony has won ICO awards in seven of the ten available categories. The Symphony has twice won Illinois Orchestra of the Year, while Polay has been named Conductor of the Year, and Strickland has been recognized as General Manager of the Year. For their support of the Symphony, Maytag has won three Contributor of the Year Awards, the late Paul Keser was named Volunteer of the Year, and Knox College and Wells Fargo Bank have won Meritorious Awards.
The Knox-Galesburg Symphony is sponsored by Knox College and the Galesburg Symphony Society.
ICO Award winners are selected by a panel of members of the Illinois Council of Orchestras Board of Directors. They review nominations from orchestras, youth orchestras, and chamber ensembles from across Illinois.
The Illinois Council of Orchestras, incorporated in 1974, is a service organization for over 100 professional, community, youth, and college orchestras throughout Illinois. The ICO provides guidance and support in the areas of management, artistic direction and marketing.