EYSO to honor Music Educator of the Year Award winner at Sunday concerts
On Sunday, March 15, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, made up of student musicians, fourth grade through college, will perform the second concerts of its 39th season, "A Thousand and One Nights," at 2, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Elgin Community College Arts Center's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive.
The EYSO's current season explores night in all of its many artistic expressions, including painting, poetry, and of course, great orchestral music. "Soirees Musicales", the second concerts of the 2014-15 season, bring to life a balcony serenade, a grand Viennese ball, and a garden in moonlight - celebrating nights of elegance and romance, with music of Britten, Mozart, Albéniz, Johann Strauss, and others.
The 2 p.m. concert features Prelude Orchestra, Sinfonia, and Philharmonia and includes Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" and the colorful Suite "Espagnol" by Albéniz.
The 4:30 p.m. concert features Philharmonia, Brass Choir, Percussion Ensemble, and Youth Symphony. Concerto competition winner Claire Arias-Kim will perform Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1, and the Percussion Ensemble premieres their original composition, "Metal Moon."
The 7:30 p.m. concert features Youth Symphony and Percussion Ensemble with a special performance from the Sterling Brass Quintet, the premiere brass ensemble of the EYSO's Chamber Music Institute. Tenor Alex Gmeinder and baritone Evan Bravos will join the Youth Symphony for a scene from Puccini's "Tosca," including the famous "E lucevan le stelle." Gmeinder sang with the Sarasota Opera last season and Bravos, a St. Charles North High School alum, appeared at the Kennedy Center and Aspen Music Festival.
Lynne Green, private flute instructor and band director at St. Patrick Catholic School, will be presented with the EYSO Music Educator of the Year Award at all three concerts.
Tickets are $24, $19, $13 and can be purchased in advance and at the door at the ECC box office. Box office hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. All tickets are for reserved seating. Call the box office at (847) 622-0300 or order online at tickets.elgin.edu.
Auditions for the 2015-16 40th anniversary season will be held May 28-31 at the Elgin Community College Arts Center. Students fourth grade (fall 2015) through college age are invited to audition. For information, visit EYSO.org, or call (847) 841-7700, or email office@eyso.org.