ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (February 24, 2026) — The Augustana Symphonic Band, directed by Dr James Lambrecht, will bring performances to communities across Illinois and Wisconsin March 20-26. All concerts are open to the public. A freewill offering will be accepted.
The tour starts on March 20, 7:30PM, in Oregon, Illinois, and a home concert will be held in Augustana’s Centennial Hall, located at 3703 7th Ave, on April 11.
Four tour performances will take place in the hometowns of current band members Evan James (’27) from Oregon High School, Dale Faber (’27) from Bureau Valley High School, Braden Foy (’28) from Batavia High School, and Sierra Jelinek (’27) from Cambridge High School.
The tour includes two closed performances — at Batavia (lllinois) High School and Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wisconsin.
Dr Lambecht says returning to Whitnall High School will bring back many good memories.
"I attended Whitnall High School, and my father was the band director from the school’s founding in 1959 until his retirement in 1985," Dr Lambrecht said. "The final tour stop is at West Aurora High School, which is one of the very first tour stops from my first year at Augustana College in 1989."
This tour's repertoire will include Percy Grainger’s "Lincolnshire Posy," widely regarded as one of the most significant works in wind band literature, in addition to contemporary selections reflecting classical, folk, and jazz traditions from diverse cultures.
The Augustana Symphonic Band, which was established in 1874, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary with a specially-commissioned piece by composer Kevin Walczyk.
The ensemble tours annually, most recently to the East Coast and Japan. The annual tour reinforces Augustana’s commitment to engaged learning by extending the classroom into communities across the region. Through performance and collaboration, students deepen their musicianship, build confidence, and gain professional experience while serving as ambassadors for the college.
Tour dates:
Oregon High School
206 S. 10th St
Oregon, Illinois
Our Savior Lutheran Church
815 S. Washington St
Naperville, Illinois
Bureau Valley High School
9154 County Rd 2125 N
Manlius, Illinois
Nikolay Middle School
211 South St
Cambridge, Wisconsin
West Aurora High School
1201 W New York St
Aurora, Illinois
Centennial Hall
3703 7th Ave
Rock Island, Illinois
Contact:
For more information, contact Augustana Symphonic Band Tour Manager Cynthia Lambrecht at 309-794-7232 or CynthiaLambrecht@augustana.edu.
