Musical talent runs in the family of Prospect junior

After years of playing the violin, Evelyn O'Connell of Arlington Heights has had her share of concerts.

But one day last week, in which she soloed with the Prospect High School orchestra, was a first: she received a standing ovation.

"After the performance I was even asked to sign an autograph," said O'Connell, a Prospect High School junior. "No one has ever asked me for my autograph before."

They may do it again this weekend when O'Connell performs the same difficult piece with the Prospect orchestra -- Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28, by Saint-Saens -- at the Illinois Music Educators Association all-state music festival in Peoria.

"I have been polishing the piece since last summer," O'Connell said. "I love the fast passage at the end and the slow and emotional parts in the middle."

O'Connell is one of 33 musicians from Northwest Suburban High School District 214 who were selected to perform in this weekend's conference. However, her performance comes during a string of big events for the talented junior.

Last month, she won the solo competition sponsored by District 214 when she played the same piece, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Samantha, who won it her junior year. Samantha now majors in music performance at Northwestern University.

Next, O'Connell will solo March 5 at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights with the district's honors orchestra, led by Kevan Kosobayashi, orchestra director at Buffalo Grove High School and honors orchestra conductor.

"She is a fine young musician who has a lot of technical finesse, and she expresses herself musically in a very sophisticated way," Kosobayashi said. "She is one of the top violinists, if not the top violinist, in the district."

O'Connell is a product of the stringed instrument program supported through Arlington Heights Elementary District 25, the Music For Youth program. She also grew up in a home surrounded by music. Her mother, Midori, teaches piano and accompanied Music For Youth students at their annual spring concerts.

"My husband and I are so proud of both of our daughters," Midori O'Connell said. "They were very dedicated Music For Youth students."