Of Love and Other Demons is a concert program that explores the many faces of love. Inspired by Gabriel García Márquez’s novel of the same title, this program challenges the audience to reconsider love not only as a romantic ideal, but as an elemental force that shapes human experience in both sublime and tragic ways.

Some of the pieces include: Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Francis McBeth’s Of Sailors and Whales and Richard Wagner’s Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral. These works create a narrative that reflects love not as a singular emotion, but as a complex, often paradoxical force—a demon, perhaps, that can elevate or consume.

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Of Love and Other Demons

Lesher Center for the Arts

WIU Concert Band, Matt Thomas conductor, and Monmouth Roseville High School Concert and Symphonic Bands, Art Martinez, conductor with Matt Bean, narrator

Western Illinois University

The California Youth Symphony is pleased to continue our very popular March Festival Concert series, at which we feature our Intermediate String Ensemble under the direction of Kati Kyme, the Wind Symphony under the direction of Pete Nowlen, and the CYS Associate Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Eylar. Maestro Nowlen will lead the Wind Symphony in an ambitious program including works by Butler, Chan, and McBeth. The Associate Orchestra is delighted to spotlight our Concerto Competition winner Kayla Lee as she performs Wieniawski’s dazzling Scherzo Tarantelle. The orchestra will also offer the first movement of Beethoven’s Symphony no. 5, the Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark, plus music by Berlioz and Saint-Saëns. The CYS Intermediate String Ensemble will feature works by Beethoven and Mozart. Our Festival Concert is a wonderful opportunity to experience the full gamut of the California Youth Symphony’s rich and varied musical program. Don’t miss it!

W. Francis McBeth

Events

Past events

Oct 19, 2025

Of Love and Other Demons · Contra Costa Wind Symphony

Dec 6, 2023

WIU Concert Band, Matt Thomas conductor, and Monmouth Roseville High School Concert and Symphonic Bands, Art Martinez, conductor with Matt Bean, narrator · Western Illinois University

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