Lineup
To learn more about the orchestra, Maestro Hobson, the musicians, administration, and Advisory board visit Sinfonia’s website.
Banjo player Tray Wellington’s approach to the quintessential American instrument is all about looking forward. An International Bluegrass Music Association Award winner, Wellington is critically acclaimed not only for his technical prowess, but also for leveraging his unique point of view to craft a one-of-a-kind voice on the instrument. It’s a feat that’s all too rare in these roots genres that seem to value emulation and regurgitation over all else. Instead, Wellington has time and time again reasserted that his playing style, and all of the many varied and disparate parts that combine within it, is wholly his own – and it’s unconcerned with tradition.
Every family has its own unique history, a timeline fleshed out by memorable characters, milestone events, and the stories passed on through the decades that bind it all together. For the Garrett Boys, a family trio from Overton County in east Tennessee, their history just happens to lend itself to some excellent Appalachian folk music.
Made up of brothers Stephen and Russell Garrett, and Stephen’s son Carter, the Garrett Boys are rooted, both musically and physically, in 500 hilly, wooded acres that have had a magnetic pull over their family for generations. The men refer to it simply as “The Land,” and it’s the setting for nearly every one of the 11 songs on It Runs Deep, the trio’s debut album.
David Nance & Mowed Sound
David Nance is a musician based in Omaha, Nebraska and David Nance and the Mowed Sound is his latest group and recording project. Led by Nance on vocals, guitar and whatever instrument needs playing, with partners in crime Kevin Donahue on drums, James Schroeder on guitar and Derrick Higgins and Sam Lipsett on bass.
Nance grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska, played in the marching band and discovered punk and garage rock before moving to Omaha and joining the mid-2000 garage punk scene happening there with the band the Forbidden Tigers. Several years spent in Los Angeles with his wife Anna led to a period of songwriting and home recording before they decided to move back to Omaha where he began finding his musical identity and started recording his songs with like-minded friends. What developed was a heavy burned-out rock vibe that still somehow fits in the punk universe. Nance also played with Omaha legend Simon Joyner and has continued to record and self-release tapes and cdrs throughout the past decade.
Led by guitarist Jose Guzman, The Collective’s repertoire reflects Guzman’s musical heritage with rhythms from Puerto Rico, mixed with the sophistication of modern jazz. Creating a prism of melodies that float on top of Caribbean grooves. The ensemble’s fourth release, “Cortadito,” has been featured on jazz radio stations across the country, received glowing reviews from music critics, and listed among Puerto Rico’s Best Albums of 2025 by the Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular, jazz journalist Wil Sostre, and Roots Music Report Top 50 Latin Jazz Albums of 2025.
big daddy pride and the east side five
Big Daddy Pride & the East Side Five is a psychedelic roots country R&B group from East Urbana Illinois. Weaving together Pink Floydian guitars and New Orleans era R&B fender Rhodes with the driving Tulsa Sound in the rhythm section, makes for a truly eclectic experience.
Meadowhawk is an acoustic trio out of Urbana Illinois playing music from a number of different traditions including Irish, Scottish, English and American fiddle music as well as original tunes based in these traditions. They bring unique energy and haunting harmonies to tunes and songs alike as the exquisite fiddling of Amanda Ramey and Claire Johnson soars and weaves over Matt Turino’s driving rhythm guitar and food percussion foundation. Meadowhawk is a dance band at heart and you will feel the kinetic energy and emotion that they harness to inspire both dancers and listeners.
Champaign-Urbana’s first community mariachi group. Spreading la musica de nuestra cultura.
brain sex
“…the scientific or epistemological definition of the band coined Brain Sex: Cranial Coitus, which refers to subarachnoid intercourse between consenting individuals which allows for abstract information to be neurologically translated in the form of new age instruments by pure unadulterated rage and love…”
Brain Sex is unapologetically loud, heavy, and sexy. Signatures of their self described post-hardcore style are driving basslines, lush guitar tones and groovy drumming. These elements combine to create rich sonic environments on top of which the vocalists explore their dark and gritty subject matter. With something for everyone, Brain Sex is a band that truly can’t be ignored.
granny square
Granny Square is a queer hardcore band from Champaign, Illinois. On their new EP, “The Panty Raid”, the band amplifies and distorts a classic queer punk sound into something even more messy, electric, and unpredictable. With the magnetic, chaotic vocals of Bikini Kill and the blown-out instrumentation of Coke Bust, Granny Square isn’t just rooted in a raw lineage; they take a familiar fury and compound it with humor, defiance, and passion, producing something more powerful in the process.
The Centennial Chamber Orchestra is one of two orchestras at Centennial High School. It is a audition based strings only group that features students in grades 9-12. Along with 4 concerts a year, students also participate in ILMEA, Urbana Pops, the Tri M Music Honor Society and many are featured in other ensembles at Centennial including the band/marching band, drama and choral programs.
