Chamber ensembles kick off EYSO season Sunday

On Sunday, Nov. 16, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Institute with Director Jacqueline Fisher presents multiple chamber ensembles in their first concerts of the 2014-15 season. Four performances are scheduled, starting at 1, 2:30, 4 and 5:30 p.m. at the Spartan Auditorium in the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. All chamber concerts are free and open to the public.

This is Fisher's third year as director for the EYSO Chamber Music Institute. Studying violin since the age of 5, she has played throughout Europe and the U.S. She has been recognized twice by Who's Who Among American Teachers by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts.

Playing in a chamber ensemble is an essential part of the development of a young musician and helps to teach skills that improve both solo and large ensemble playing. Each player is both a soloist and team member at the same time. Playing chamber music sharpens vital listening skills and provides invaluable musicianship training.

In addition to the concerts at Elgin Community College, each season CMI students have the opportunity to give back to the community through performances at venues such as Friendship Village and The Garlands.

To learn more about the EYSO and the Chamber Music Institute, visit eyso.org, or call the EYSO office at (847) 841-7700.

The 2014-15 season "A Thousand & One Nights" is a yearlong study and exploration of night in various artistic expressions - painting, poetry and great orchestral music. The season's theme provides a framework for the EYSO to provide the highest caliber of orchestral training for fourth grade through college-age students, sharpening the musical and critical thinking skills young players need to become independent musicians and successful adults.

The EYSO regular season includes nine concert performances at ECC. In addition, the Chamber Music Institute performs each semester, the Brass Choir performs every spring, and the EYSO honors chamber ensembles - the Maud Powell String Quartet, the Sterling Brass Quintet, and the Hanson String Quartet - perform throughout the year.