UNIVERSITY PARK | The award-winning Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, led by music director Carmon DeLeone, gears up for its 30th anniversary season finale concerts featuring the return engagement of cellist Zuill Bailey.

The concerts begin with guest soprano Candace Y. Johnson in a performance of Wolfgang A. Mozart's "Exsultate" jubilate. The DePaul University Singers, led by Clayton Parr, and soloist Benjamin Marks join the Illinois Philharmonic for Leonard Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms." Internationally-acclaimed cellist Zuill Bailey takes center stage for a performance of Camille Saint-Saëns "Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor" and Max Bruch's "Kol Nidrei for Cello and Orchestra."

Bailey has released six compact discs, including a new CD featuring the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto.

"It's a pleasure to welcome back Zuill Bailey for these concerts. I look forward to a wonderful collaboration with Zuill in these lovely works for solo cello and orchestra," said Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra music director Carmon DeLeone. "Bernstein's Chichester Psalms is certainly on my list of great works of the 20th Century, and I'm very happy that Clayton Parr's DePaul Singers will be performing this beautiful music with us," he added.

The first Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's season finale with Bailey begins at 8 p.m. May 16 at The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University in University Park. Tickets are $28 to $48 and are available by calling (708) 235-2222. A complimentary post-concert reception will be held in the Hall of Governors.

Tickets are $25 for adults; $15 for students, and are available by calling (708) 481-7774.

- THE TIMES