Empire Wild and the HFO

WASHINGTON, IL -- The Heartland Festival Orchestra's April 15 concert at Five Points Washington was an interesting change of pace for the orchestra.

The youthful New York City trio Empire Wild played with the orchestra in most of the program, presenting an original fusion of classical and  jazz with rich sound.

Empire Wild was fine, and included a singer, some original pieces and arrangements, and even a bit of audience participation, hand clapping.

And the Illinois Central College Concert Choir presented "The Ecstasy of Gold" a choral piece from the film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The director, Julie Clemens, with a fabulous voice, was the soloist.

It was a lovely evening.

 -- Elaine Hopkins