Contact:
Jacqueline Marquardt
Maud Powell Festival Board Member
(309) 678-3182

Conductor Gives Holiday Gift to Music Festival

To help create a library for the Maud Powell Music Festival, local conductor, Dr. Kevin McMahon, has given a first installment of books, audio books, VHS and DVD recordings, and a musical instrument at a total value of $2,500 to the festival.

The Maud Powell Music Festival, which attracts musicians and artists of all ages to the Illinois Valley each year, is continually growing and expanding. The growth of the festival has created new opportunities this year to offer a theater design class as well as an opera institute.

Although the annual festival, inspired by native violinist, Maud Powell, was originally intended to bring a music festival to the Illinois Valley, the vision has expanded to include all types of art.

The library collection is not solely to be musical. Dr. Kevin McMahon, Director of the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Maud Powell Festival Board, envisioned the library. “I believe artists need to spend a good deal of time on spiritual issues too. Eventually the festival will be a repository for my library, including musical scores and some other instruments, etc.” explained McMahon.

One part of the library is named for McMahon’s grandfather, Orvis “Casey” Connolly and includes books from his collection. A second part of the library is named for Harrison and Paula Siebold, who increased the library by sharing an inherited library and providing books for McMahon to study.

In order to expand the library offerings, the public is invited to donate to the library as well. If you would like to donate or would like more information about the library, please call the Maud Powell Music Festival office at (815) 481-2318.

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