The 2003-04 lineup features two guest performers—Slovakian clarinetist Julius Klein who will join the orchestra in October, and cellist Julie Sturm who takes center stage with Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in May. The orchestra’s traditional concerts also return, including the holiday concert in C.Y. Stephens joined by area high school choirs, and the annual Familiy/Young Artists concert in February that features some of Iowa’s best young musicians.

This season also marks a transition for the community orchestra, which for the past five years has been under the directorship of Mark Laycock, professor of music and director of orchestral activities at Iowa State University. In June, Laycock accepted a position as director of orchestras and instrumental music at the Chapman University School of Music in Orange, California.

“ Mark has been a wonderful conductor and music director, taking this orchestra into new venues and providing exciting musical opportunities for both listeners and performers,” said CIS President Willa Holger. “We are pleased that he has agreed to remain with us in a limited role this year for continuity and to assure the same high quality of programming.”

Before leaving Ames, Laycock selected music and made arrangements for all four concerts in the 2003-04 season. He also has agreed to fly back to Iowa to conduct the first two concerts in October and December. Colleague Matt Smith, associate director of bands at ISU, will direct the orchestra’s weekly practices and will conduct the symphony’s third concert in February. The fourth concert in May will have a guest conductor.

The symphony’s 2003-04 “Magic Beyond Measure” season includes:

Season ticket order forms are available on the Central Iowa Symphony web site at www.cisymphony.org. Individual tickets also can be purchased two weeks prior to each concert at Big Table Books and Rieman Music in Ames. To place credit card orders, call Ames City Auditorium offices at (515) 239-5360.
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