Youth orchestras to perform with guest violinist
Acclaimed violist Midori will perform with three of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's four orchestras at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. The performance will take place at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The EYSO usually performs at the Blizzard Theatre in the Elgin Community Arts Center. This performance follows Midori's 3:30 p.m. performance with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra; also at the Hemmens Cultural Center.
Midori will perform with the EYSO Youth Symphony, an advanced orchestra for high school and college-age students; the Philharmonia, an intermediate-level full orchestra for middle school and high school musicians; and The Prelude Orchestra, dedicated to string players in grades 4-9.
These three orchestras will have the rare opportunity to rehearse and play with one of the world's top violinists in a professional concert hall used to showcase national acts throughout the year. The performances are the culmination of Midori's weeklong Orchestra Residencies Program awarded to the EYSO and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Only two such residencies are awarded in the United States each year.
"This residency with Midori is an incredible opportunity for every member of our organization - our 300 students, our artistic and administrative staff, our board of directors, as well as all of the communities represented by our membership," said Kathy Matthews, EYSO executive director.
Midori will perform the first movement of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Youth Symphony. They also will perform "Huapango" by José Pablo Moncayo.
Midori and the Prelude Orchestra will perform "Autumn" from "The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi and Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro" arranged by McLeod.
"The Philharmonia is privileged to have Midori as the featured artist for the third movement of Bruch's G Minor Violin Concerto. In addition, the orchestra will play the first three movements from Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio espagnol," said David Anderson, Philharmonia conductor.
Tickets for the concert are $25 for adults, $20 for senior citizens, and $15 for students. Although the concert will be held at the Hemmens Cultural Center, tickets can be purchased at the Elgin Community College box office in the ECC Arts Center, by phone at (847) 622-0300, or online at www.elgin.edu/arts. Box office hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and cash are accepted for payment.
Designed by Midori as a means of supporting American youth orchestras, the Orchestra Residencies Program is a collaborative project which provides meaningful musical experiences for the next generation of classical musicians. The program aspires to help establish the youth orchestra as a presence in the community, as well as to build upon relationships with the local professional symphony, visiting artists and administrative staff.
Over a period of five days, Midori will participate in a wide range of activities tailored to optimize the involvement of the youth orchestra, including concerts with both the youth orchestra and its affiliated professional symphony. Midori will engage in many activities including a master class; coaching at Larkin High School in Elgin Area School District U-46; a strings festival at St. Charles North High School for string players in St. Charles Unit District 303; an appearance at Judson University in Elgin; and arts advocacy with the orchestras and local legislators. Midori will be in-residence Oct. 1-5.