ESO Listeners Clubs May 3 wraps up 'Passport to Russia' project by ESO, Gail Borden Library
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Gail Borden Public Library are wrapping up the season-long project "Passport to Russia," with the ESO Listeners Clubs on Wednesday, May 3. It is led by music historian Jim Kendros.
Kendros will discuss the May 6-7 season finale concerts, which will feature Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky's towering "Pictures at an Exhibition."
The Listeners Clubs will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Greenfields of Geneva, 0N801 Friendship Way, and 1 p.m. at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. For more information, see ElginSymphony.org.
"Passport to Russia" is designed to enhance the ESO concert-going experience during the 2016-17 season.
The ESO presented a Russian composer on each of its Classic Series concerts, including works by Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and more.
"Passport to Russia" programs included a recital by ESO cellist Nazar Dzhuryn and a pop-up concert with ESO guest artist, Russian-born Yana Resnik, a "Russian Tea" at the Elgin History Museum, and an overview of Russian history, politics and art by Elgin Community College Associate Dean Dr. Irina Del Genio and ECC Russian Language instructor John Schwartz.
"Passport to Russia" participants must note their attendance at a class/event on a "Passport" available online at gailborden.info/Russia.
Anyone who has attended at least four programs, which may include two ESO concerts, is invited to a reception, backstage tour and open rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin.
The "passport" with the participant's name and email address is the admission ticket. It will be used for a grand prize drawing for a special lunch for two with ESO Music Director Andrew Grams. For more information and to RSVP for the May 5 event, visit gailborden.info/Russia.
Kendros' goal is to make each seminar the most exciting, educational and entertaining presentation available. As a well-known public speaker in the Chicago area, he has lectured for corporations, community centers, libraries, senior facilities, and groups of all kinds. In addition to leading the ESO Listeners Club, Kendros is the pre-concert lecturer for the Lake Forest Symphony and the Northbrook Symphony. He is also a composer and performer on piano and rare period instruments. For more information, visit jimkendrosmusic.com.
Participants in the ESO Listeners Club are invited to ESO events including lunches, potlucks, backstage tours, closed dress rehearsals, and more. You never know who will show up to join Kendros at the Listeners Club - ESO Music Director Andrew Grams, an ESO musician, or a guest conductor! For more information about the ESO Listeners Club, visit ElginSymphony.org.
The Gail Borden Public Library has received 20 awards, including Recipient of the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Services and Recipient of the 2010 Elgin Hispanic Network Organization of the Year. The main library opened in October 2003 and is the third largest public library building in Illinois, after Chicago and Schaumburg. The library, which serves 144,597 residents in Elgin, South Elgin and portions of Hoffman Estates, Streamwood and Bartlett, has more than 1 million visitors, and is the largest library district in the state of Illinois for population served. For more information, visit www.gailborden.info.
Now at the end of its 66th season, the ESO offers programming unmatched for an entertaining, informative and relaxing cultural experience. The ESO has won Illinois Professional Orchestra of the Year an unprecedented four times - in 1988, 1999, 2005 and 2016. The ESO works to create an enjoyable entertainment experience that goes beyond the magnificent music performed by some of the best musicians in the region.
Area student musicians often perform in the lobby before concerts and patrons can purchase gifts at the Elgin Symphony League Boutique. Pre-concert chats are given by Music Director Andrew Grams, guest artists and others one hour before most performances and Saturday night patrons are invited after concerts to Mingle with the Musicians at the Elgin Public House. In addition, free Listeners Club lecture/discussions presented by music historian Jim Kendros are offered before ESO Classics Series concert weekends on Wednesdays at Greenfields of Geneva and the Gail Borden Public Library. Flex passes are available for purchase so that you can choose your concerts at a later date based on your own schedule. And if a patron can't make a concert, the ESO offers free exchanges to subscribers and to single ticket buyers for a $5 fee. There is accessible, free parking around the Hemmens Cultural Center and valet service available. The ESO is a world-class orchestra providing quality musical explorations that are entertaining, hassle-free and conveniently located close to home in the western suburbs.