Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen for September 26 Concert
The Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra (THSO) announces a change in guest artist for next week’s concert, Mendelssohn & Tchaik on September 26, 2026. Due to an injury, violinist Eunice Kim will be unable to perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto as scheduled. The THSO sends its very best wishes to Eunice for a speedy and complete recovery.
The orchestra is delighted to welcome acclaimed violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen, who will join Music Director Roger Kalia and the THSO for the performance. Koljonen and Kalia recently collaborated this summer at the Lake George Music Festival, where they performed Mendelssohn’s beloved Violin Concerto together. THSO audiences will now have the opportunity to experience their artistic partnership in Terre Haute!
“We are certainly disappointed that Eunice is unable to join us and wish her a speedy recovery,” said Samantha Johnson-Helms, Executive Director of the THSO. “At the same time, I’m thrilled to welcome Elissa to Terre Haute. It could not have been a more perfect solution with Roger and Elissa recently working together on the Mendelssohn Concerto. I know our audiences are in for a wonderful collaboration.”
Recognized as one of the most celebrated violinists of her generation, Elissa Lee Koljonen has thrilled audiences and critics in more than one hundred cities throughout the world. Ms. Koljonen received international acclaim when she became the first recipient of the prestigious Henryk Szeryng Foundation Award and the silver medalist of the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition. Her playing has been hailed by the Helsingin Sanomat (Helsinki) as “sparkling, sensual and personal,” and the Chicago Tribune has said she displays “boundless technique and musicianship.”
Elissa Lee Koljonen, violin
Ms. Koljonen has performed with such orchestras as the Boston Pops, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Royal Philharmonic, as well as the symphony orchestras of Bilbao, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Helsinki, and Seoul. She garnered critical acclaim for her appearance with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo in a special concert celebrating the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi Dynasty. She has collaborated with such noted conductors as Matthias Bamert, Dirk Brossé, JoAnn Falletta, Lawrence Foster, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Neeme Järvi, James Judd, Andrew Litton, José-Luis Novo, the late James DePreist, and the late Bryden Thomson.
Ms. Koljonen has performed in some of the world's most venerated concert venues, including the Musikverein in Vienna, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Barbican Centre and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Konzerthaus Berlin, the Seoul Arts Center, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Symphony Hall in Boston, and the Academy of Music and Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. An avid chamber musician, Ms. Koljonen appears regularly at festivals throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
Ms. Koljonen is a protégée of the late Aaron Rosand, with whom she studied at the Curtis Institute of Music. Incorporating his influence, she carries on the legacy and tradition of Leopold Auer and his legendary school of violin playing.
Supper at the Symphony
Make it a date night with a concert and Supper at the Symphony! Come to the concert early and enjoy a delectable three-course meal served in the McKee Family Heritage Ballroom of Tirey Hall, right down the hall from Tilson Auditorium. The cash bar opens at 5:00pm, and dinner is served promptly at 5:30pm. Dinner reservations are $30 per person. Patrons will enjoy a salad to start and choose one entrée of either Molasses Glazed Roasted Pork Loin, Salmon with Dill Sauce, or Pasta Alfredo, all served with Green Beans and Blistered Tomatoes. Pork and Salmon are also served with Herb Roasted Potatoes. Classic Strawberry Cheesecake will be served for dessert. Reservations can be made at www.thso.org or by calling the THSO office at (812) 242-8476. Reservations close at 12pm on Tuesday, September 22.
Concert Conversations
Join Music Director, Dr. Roger Kalia, as he discusses the repertoire performed on this concert and interviews guest artist Elissa Lee Koljonen during Concert Conversations in the Heritage Ballroom in Tirey Hall on the campus of Indiana State University before the concert at 6:40pm. FREE to all concert ticket holders!
Concert Tickets
Patrons can purchase concert tickets by visiting www.thso.org or calling the Hulman Center at (812) 237-3737. Ticket prices for adults are $24, $57, and $72. Student and youth tickets are $9, $15, and $19. Prices already include facility and venue fees.
Accessible Entrance
An elevator is available for patrons who need accessible entry at the rear of Tirey Hall. Patrons can be dropped off behind Tirey Hall in the alley between Fairbanks and Tilson for direct access to the elevator or enter through the ground level at the front of Tilson Auditorium via the downstairs lobby. Signage will be posted at the venue with directions to the elevator.
Parking
Patrons may park in the Indiana State University Parking garage located at 750 Cherry Street for free between 4 PM and 11 PM on the day of the concert. This parking garage is located across the street from Tilson Auditorium.
This concert is made possible in part by Arts Illiana, the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.