Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra's annual outreach program engages students

In January and February, the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra's Community Outreach Program sponsored visits to nine elementary schools in eight western suburbs - Hillside, Berkeley, Bensenville, Lombard, Villa Park, Willowbrook, Wood Dale and Westmont - performing for over 3,500 school children during the visits. One of those schools was Child's Voice for hearing-impaired children, where the musicians played for children with cochlear implants.

A generous grant from the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation and a gift from Shirley Myers helped fund the programs. Three additional schools in Western Springs will be visited in May during their Music in the Schools day.

This year's ensemble was a brass quintet of Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra members: Brian Reichenbach, trumpet; Sarah Carillo, trumpet; Josh Wirt, tuba; Tom Stark, trombone; and Dana Sherman, French horn, with Jared Montgomery filling in on trumpet at one of the schools. The ensemble was enthusiastically received at each school and developed a great rapport with the students, who interacted readily with the musicians and enthusiastically asked questions. At Hillside School the trumpet-playing principal, Steve Bogren, was invited to join the fun, sharing his musical talents to the delight of students, teachers and musicians!

"Another amazing performance for our kids! Thank you," wrote Mr. Bogren. "I have received many wonderful compliments from students and staff about the experience. Thank you for keeping us in the tour! I want to be sure our kids continue to experience music at this high level."

The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is committed to outreach and educational programs such as this to help audiences of tomorrow learn to understand and appreciate music of all types. For more information about the Outreach Program please call (630) 941-0202.