Elgin Youth Symphony announces new Hanson String Quartet
Submitted by Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Music Institute has announced the members of its Hanson String Quartet for the 2012-13 season.
The Honors Chamber Music Groups represent the highest level of chamber music experience in the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Music Institute. They meet several times a week for rehearsals and coachings, and their coaches are some of the most renowned music teachers in the Midwest.
Auditions for these groups took place in June 2012. The following individuals were selected to participate in the Hanson String Quartet for the EYSO 2012-13 season:
Ÿ Timothy Archbold, Principal Coach
Ÿ Paul Christian, Glen Ellyn, violin
Ÿ Joseph Connolly, Schaumburg, violin
Ÿ Claire Wright, Aurora, viola
Ÿ Jacob Song, Barrington, cello
Timothy Archbold, principal coach, was raised in Castlemaine, Central Victoria, Australia. Among his many accomplishments, Archbold recently completed his master’s degree at Wichita State University where he played with the Bloomfield String Quartet and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.
He is the assistant principal of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra as well as the assistant principal of the Northwest Indiana Symphony. Archbold is on the teaching faculty at Bradley University, Peoria and performs with his wife Karen in the Archbold Duo.
The Hanson String Quartet, now in its third season, is selected by competitive audition in June, and offered on full scholarship.
The Hanson String Quartet, named after Robert Hanson, the founding music director of the EYSO, provides a chance to study and perform the most significant chamber music literature at the highest level and to work with some of the finest artist teachers and chamber music coaches in the Midwest. The musicians in the quartet also participate in the EYSO as members of the Youth Symphony ensemble.
These Honors Chamber Music Groups perform throughout the year in various venues, are featured ensembles in the EYSO concerts, and around the region at various civic events. The groups also play for local schools during their school-day tours.
The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, an In-Residence Ensemble in the Arts Center at Elgin Community College, is home to five orchestras and a brass choir with more than 300 students from more than 55 communities. Founded in 1976, its mission is to create a community of young musicians, enriching their lives and the lives of their families, schools, communities and beyond, through the study and performance of excellent music. This program is partially supported by grants from the EFS Foundation, the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, the Grand Victoria Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), and the Palmer Foundation. The 2012-13 EYSO season sponsor is the USPlate Glass Insurance Co.