Correction: A Monday article called “Kish Orchestra pays tribute to former director” incorrectly said the orchestra’s Halloween concert is $10 for students and $15 for adults. The concert is free. 

The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s fall concert, “The Hedgehog’s Dilemma,” featured a world premiere piece and a tribute to the orchestra’s former director, who died in April.

The orchestra performed “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis” as a tribute to Victor Barresi, the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s president of the Board of Directors from 1998-2005. Barressi, who died in April, was the longest-serving president in the orchestra’s history. The performance occurred Saturday in the Music Building’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.

While playing “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis,” the orchestra had a small selection of violinists, cellists and bassists playing from above the stage in the organ loft. Linc Smelser, Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra music director, said the loft section created an echo effect and gave the segment an organ-like quality.

After the orchestra’s tribute to Barressi, it played the world premiere of composer Adam Silverman’s “The Hedgehog’s Dilemma: Concerto for Violin and Cello.” The song was performed in an upbeat and lively manner by the orchestra while two soloists played complex melodies.

“Any time we get the opportunity to work with the premiere of a piece, especially with two great artists and a great composer, it’s wonderful for the orchestra,” Smelser said. “And it’s magical for the audience because they get to hear something they’ve never heard before, and it’s a very special occasion to be able to hear a work of art for the first time ever.”

Silverman wrote the piece with his wife, cellist Amy Sue Barston, and her sister, violinist Elisa Barston, in mind to play the two solo parts.

“I was inspired to write this double concerto because of my closeness to the cellist and violinist that are playing,” Silverman said. “I really wanted to write a piece for the two of them … and this great orchestra and have them sort of share in the music-making and work together. This was sort of a dream collaboration.”

Elisa Barston said being a part of the premiere of “The Hedgehog’s Dilemma: Concerto for Violin and Cello” was fulfilling from a musical standpoint and because of the close relationship she has with Silverman.

“The orchestra has been fantastic …,” Elisa Barston said. “It was like a real, all in the family experience for us, which was amazing. It was just the greatest experience to do this project with like the whole family.”