By Courtney Langdon
Lamp Staff
JACKSONVILLE – Music Under the Dome has been bringing the Jacksonville community together to experience something new for almost 10 years.
The Jacksonville Public Library organizes the series of musical performances as one of its many outreach efforts. It is one of the longest running and most popular offerings by the library.
It is held September through May with five to seven concerts per season.
“It’s a good opportunity to relax and have a good time,” said Library patron Dan Currie. “Gives you an idea about music besides rock and roll.”
Originally only offering classical music performances, Music Under the Dome has expanded to a wide variety of genres, including folk, roots, Celtic, Native American and even show tunes.
“Attendance varies,” said Jacksonville Public Library director Chris Ashmore. “Once the temperature outside was in the negative, and around seven people showed up. On the other hand, sometimes we have an overflow of 80-plus people.”
Recently, the Jacksonville community came together to raise money to buy a piano that would be kept at the library for the purpose of Music Under the Dome. Ashmore mentioned that this idea was suggested by some of the performers, who said that having a piano available to them would be nice. Previously, Ashmore said the library rented a keyboard from Boyd’s Music when necessary.
Pianist Anna Ferraro and The Source newspaper Publisher Marcy Patterson organized a fundraiser at the Soap Co. Coffee House. Local musician Ken Bradbury and Jacksonville High School senior Caleb Holaway spent the day playing piano and raising money. Bradbury is also set to perform this season at Music Under the Dome on March 24.
This is the first year in which the event will host only performers from the Jacksonville area.
The next Music Under the Dome concert is scheduled for March 5. The Illinois College Women’s Chorale and the Illinois College Chambers Singers will perform.
More information about upcoming Music Under the Dome concerts can be found at the Jacksonville Public Library’s website, www.jaxpl.org.
Courtney Langdon can be reached at [email protected].
