The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Liz McAlhaney, Choral Administrator

Before retirement in January 2004, Ms. McAlhany was employed by the United States Senate from January 1977 to January 2004 in various management positions that utilized her knowledge of information technology systems, as well as her knowledge of the Senate. In her last position with the Senate, Ms. McAlhany was the Deputy Staff Director and the Director of Technology Policy while at the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. In this position, Ms. McAlhany was responsible for the daily operation of the Committee staff (28 staff) as well as reviewing and recommending the technology policy direction for the United States Senate. The Committee on Rules and Administration is responsible for the overall administrative operations of the Senate, establishing and funding all the standing committees, overseeing the Senate Officers (the Sergeant at Arms and the Secretary of the Senate), the Architect of the Capitol, and general oversight of the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center and the Government Printing Office. The Committee also approves the technology direction for the Senate, assigns space and operating funds to the Members, plans and implements the Presidential Inaugurals, and is responsible for establishing the rules of order and procedures for the Senate chamber. Ms McAlhany also worked for Senate Sergeant at Arms for over twenty years in various management positions within the organization. Ms. McAlhany was appointed as the Deputy Sergeant at Arms and was responsible for the daily operations of the Sergeant at Arms’ offices (over 750 employees) including approval of all personnel items, daily oversight of the Senate Chamber and various protocol duties. Since moving to Florida, Ms. McAlhany has been involved in various volunteer groups and has been singing with the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus since 2004. Originally from Missouri, Ms. McAlhany graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in English and did graduate study in Communications at the American University, Washington, D.C.

Ileana Fernandez, Principal Accompanist

Ileana Fernandez began her study of piano at age 11, after coming to the United States from her native Cuba. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts from Jacksonville University, and a Master of Music in piano performance from Florida State University. She also earned a Master of Arts in Spanish from Middlebury College in Vermont. In 1979 Ms. Fernandez joined the faculty of the Florida Community College at Jacksonville and the roster of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Fernandez teaches piano, music theory at FCCJ. She is a noted recitalist and accompanist, and in her capacity as principal keyboardist for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, she has collaborated with many guest artists. Ms. Fernandez is also the rehearsal pianist for the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. On various occasions, Ms. Fernandez has been a featured performer with the JSO, including Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy for piano, orchestra, chorus and soloists. Ms. Fernandez also enjoys the more personal, intimate performance of chamber music and she gives recitals frequently in the Jacksonville area.

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