The Western Illinois Museum invites the community to an evening of captivating chamber music on Friday, August 7, with Argos featuring violinist Helena Iacob and cellist Juan Marco Robledo Gálvez. Whether you are a classical music enthusiast or simply looking for a relaxing summer evening, this intimate performance on the Museum’s indoor Our Front Porch offers an opportunity to enjoy beautiful music in a unique setting.
Doors and the bar open at 5:00 p.m., with the performance beginning at 5:30 p.m. A suggested donation of $5 is requested at the door.
Audiences will be treated to an intimate musical conversation between violin and cello as Iacob and Robledo Gálvez perform a program of beloved chamber music favorites. Highlights include a dramatic Passacaglia by Händel, Dvořák’s lyrical Humoresque, and Elgar’s heartfelt Salut d’Amour, works celebrated for their beauty, warmth, and expressive interplay.
The evening also offers a glimpse into each artist’s individual artistry. Iacob will perform The Fiddler by George Enescu, a dazzling work infused with the spirit and rhythms of Romanian folk traditions, while Robledo Gálvez will perform a movement from one of J.S. Bach’s iconic solo cello suites, showcasing the timeless elegance and emotional depth of Bach’s music.
Part of the Museum’s popular Music on Our Front Porch series, the concert brings exceptional jazz and classical musicians into the Museum’s distinctive former garage space, where audiences experience outstanding performances in an informal, close-up setting. The series has become known for creating memorable evenings that combine world-class music with the warmth and charm of one of Macomb’s most unique venues.
The Music on Our Front Porch series continues on September 4th with soprano Melissa Chavez. This program is supported in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council.
The Western Illinois Museum is a non-profit organization celebrating and nurturing the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County. It is a vibrant community hub that features exhibits, an open collection area, lectures, music, and other programs in a historic building.
The Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square, and is fully accessible.
A full schedule of events can be found at wimuseum.org or follow on social media @wimuseum. For further information, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email [email protected].
About Helena Iacob Helena Iacob is a Romanian violinist and composer currently based in the United States. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Composition from Western Illinois University and a Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from the Richard Wagner Conservatory in Vienna. Helena has performed internationally across Europe and the United States, earning recognition through competitions, orchestral performances, and masterclasses with renowned musicians. She served as concertmaster for the Miami Music Festival in 2025, won the WIU Concerto Competition in 2024, and has performed with the FOOSA Philharmonic in the orchestra pit at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, continuing to expand her international artistic career and performance experience.
About Juan Marco Robledo Gálvez
Guatemalan cellist Juan Marco Robledo Gálvez began his studies in Guatemala City under Ricardo del Carmen Fortuny. He has performed with orchestras across the Americas, including the National Symphony Orchestra of Guatemala, Guayaquil Philharmonic Orchestra, Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Western Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and FOOSA Symphony Orchestra at California State University, Fresno.
He has participated in international festivals and received guidance from renowned musicians such as Ludwig Quandt, Francisco Vila, Giovanni Gnocchi, Sara Ferrández, John Sharp, and Andrew Gonzalez. In 2022, he was a winner of the Espacios Initiative in Guatemala and later received Second Prize in the Talent Among Us competition. He is a recipient of the International Presidential String Quartet Scholarship at Western Illinois University.
