The third annual Five Cities Baroque Festival is officially returning to Decatur and the surrounding area this summer.
Starting June 15th, this week-long festival will be showcasing timeless Baroque music performed by some of the most talented musicians Illinois has to offer.
Spearheaded by one of Millikin’s very own choir directors Nate Widelitz, the festival is meant to challenge yet reward the local communities with an engaging and historical show. Widelitz first thought of the idea not long after arriving at Millikin.
“When I hit the ground here and started meeting everybody and seeing what was around, I got this idea that, you know, there’s so much good, professional talent in this region that’s kind of scattered throughout the region, and if we could bring them all together in one central location, could put something really special together,” he said.
Widelitz is now the Artistic Director of the festival, helping curate most of the repertoire for the season as well as the various musicians and groups performing said pieces. The festival is also planning to expand its reach throughout Central Illinois along with its ever-evolving musical palette, helping to drive as many people to the shows as possible.
Widelitz looked forward to what the festival could accomplish this year.
“We’ve iterated differently every year we’ve done this in pursuit of the perfect festival, so we made some real strides,” he said. “Last season, we went to a full week for the first time. We started bringing in some star power from outside the region and started professionalizing our operations a lot more than they already were, and that paid big dividends so we are continuing to streamline.
“For the first time this year, we’re going to have events in Champaign and Springfield in addition to Decatur, and we’ve got a really special lineup of music planned. We have a chamber quintet, most of whom are either current or former Millikin faculty. And of course, we have artists-in-residence for the whole week. They’re coming in from New York and they’re going to have their fingerprints all over everything.”
Widelitz also hopes many students come to at least one of the shows throughout the week. While he knows it could be difficult during the summer, the festival also plans to record each show, making it easier for people to watch a performance or two at their leisure, even if they can’t make it in person.
Throughout all the wonderful Baroque music being performed, each show is unique in its own way. From more student and youth led performances to a special jazz and Bach fusion Juneteenth show, Five Cities will truly have something for every choral music enthusiast to enjoy.
The closing concert shouldn’t go unnoticed either, as they’ve crafted a memorable medley of Mozart and Martines to be performed at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Springfield no less. You won’t want to miss it on June 21st.
Widelitz hopes everyone is as excited for this upcoming season as he is.
“This is the music that I love the most, and I hope that people can get some of the same kinds of enjoyment out of it that I can,” he said. “I find this music to be very moving, and I find it to be very fun, and so my hope is that we can present the music in a way that emphasizes that fun factor.
“I’m fully aware Baroque music is kind of an acquired taste, but I’ve managed to acquire it without too much convincing. I really do think that if people come and they’re ready to listen to what we have to offer, I think they can actually have a really entertaining time listening to this stuff.”
Widelitz hopes that anyone interested in learning more will take a chance on the festival.
“I would just encourage anyone who’s curious about this kind of music, who doesn’t know much about it, to come out and give it a listen. I think they’re guaranteed to have a good time, and it’s free, so nothing to lose.”
Click here to learn more about the festival and upcoming dates: https://www.fivecitiesbaroque.org/
