WASHINGTON, IL -- The Heartland Festival Orchestra's October 22 program "Invitation to the Dance" was fabulous, with classical dance music and ballet dancers on stage.
Along with Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky was the world premiere of "The Popcorn Hat" by Jeff Beal, a new musical piece based on Carl Sandburg's "Rootabaga Stories." It was a clever musical composition featuring the two dancers Lauren Pschirrer and Mengjun Chen who also brilliantly danced to selections from Swan Lake, and Pschirrer to the Firebird Suite (1919).
Students from Peoria Ballet danced to selections from the Nutcracker Ballet, and were terrific. Meanwhile the orchestra sounded wonderful, rich and full.
The audience cheered and applauded the dancers, and at the close of the program rose for a standing ovation, well deserved.
-- Elaine Hopkins