From Pecatonica to Broadway to the Coronado: Music of John Williams show is homecoming

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s Feb. 11 presentation of the Music of John Williams at the Coronado Performing Arts Center will mark a homecoming for the show’s conductor.

Pecatonica native Kevin Stites recalls going to the Coronado as a child in the 1960s to watch movies with his family and friends.

While a student at Pecatonica High School, Stites sang in a choir that performed at the Coronado.

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More recently, the longtime music director, conductor and arranger for Broadway shows and concert productions around the world conducted a solo concert at the Coronado featuring actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.

So how does Stites feel about conducting a presentation of the music from a legendary composer who wrote the scores for such blockbusters as Star Wars, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Saving Private Ryan?

“I couldn’t be more honored or excited than I am right now to do this,” Stites said. “To be in this venue, which is now a beautifully restored performing arts center as opposed to a place that smells like popcorn will be wonderful. To conduct this orchestra and have my family from Pecatonica be able to come see me work with this orchestra is just so gratifying."

Stites’ work on Broadway includes South Pacific, Tale of Two Cities, The Color Purple, Titanic, Fiddler on the Roof and the 2006 revival of Les Miserables. He spent six seasons as music director for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra last summer.

Stites spent more than two decades living in New York City but moved back to Pecatonica in 2020 when Broadway slowed down during the onset of COVID.

Stites credits his grandmother, Mildred Goodwill, with nurturing his musical talents when he was a toddler.

“When I was three, my grandmother taught me three chords: C, F and G,” Stites said. “She would play the song Yellow Bird, and I would know when to change the chords. I don’t necessarily know that I have a musical gift, but I just enjoy what I do.”

After graduating from Pecatonica High School in 1974, Stites earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in music from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.

Stites said today’s teachers have many more challenges making an impression on their students.

“Kids have so much nonstop stimulation from their devices,” he said. “Why would they take the time to pick up an instrument? It takes a very special teacher now to build a music program.”

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra believes this will be one of the biggest performances in recent memory.

“The music of John Williams is a way that anyone can access the symphony and enjoy it," Rockford Symphony Orchestra development and communications manager Angie Theisen said. "His music speaks to anyone who has seen a movie in the last 50 years.”

Tickets to the Feb. 11 Rockford Symphony Orchestra performance of the Music of John Williams are available at rockfordsymphony.com, by phone at 815-965-0049 or by visiting the RSO offices at 711 N. Main St.

Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Contact him at 815-987-1391, kdecoster@rrstar.com or @DeCosterKen. 

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford area grad to conduct Rockford Symphony Orchestra show