This year's Grandstand, concert line up at the Illinois State Fair will include a free concert by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra on Monday, August 15 at 7 pm.

2010-2011 marks the 18th season of beautiful music making by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. The Illinois Symphony was formed in 1993 as a consolidation of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Association and the Bloomington-Normal Symphony Society.

Over the past years, the orchestra has also enlarged its commitment to community service, adding educational concerts for K-3 students, free public parks concerts, and the award-winning Step-by-Step in-school program for K-6 students. In 2002 the Illinois Symphony Orchestra won the Illinois Council of Orchestras' award for Meritorious Service in Outstanding Programming, and in 2004 won its award for Community Service, both in recognition of the orchestra's overall service to the citizens of central Illinois.

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra performs in Springfield and Bloomington, drawing musicians from across Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin. For more information call 217/522-2838. The Orchestra is supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Music Samples:
1 Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Finale, Julieta Mihai, violin (6:25)
2 Mozart Symphony No. 39, Finale (5:48)
3 Shostakovich Symphony No. 10 Finale (13:28)

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is the new smash-hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.

On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life, featuring a score of rock hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "That's All Right," "Sixteen Tons," "Great Balls of Fire," "Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Who Do You Love?," "Matchbox," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Hound Dog" and more.