'American Icon' fest to feature students' artwork

As part of the "2009 Discover: Bernstein Festival," hundreds of area students will have their artwork on display May 1-3 during the Elgin Symphony Orchestra's "Leonard Bernstein: American Icon" festival performances.

Students' works were inspired by music of Leonard Bernstein, including music from "West Side Story." Mediums including watercolor, photography, collage and colored pencil will be used to create the works on display.

This year's "Discover: Bernstein Festival" is the fifth initiative in the ESO's multiyear "Exploring Our American Voice" project presented to the greater Chicago community. The two-month festival includes a series of concerts and humanities programs from March 1 to May 3, examining the life and work of Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) and answering the question: Who is Leonard Bernstein? Digging deep into Bernstein's roots the festival examines the ways his music found relevance outside of the concert hall and became woven into the fabric of American culture. "The Discover: Bernstein Festival" is made possible in part through support from the National Endowment For the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council.

• Spend the afternoon with Nina Bernstein, daughter of the late Leonard Bernstein, as she recounts tales of her father's vibrant professional life and endearing family life in "A Total Embrace" at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Told through the eyes of someone who knows him best, this lecture is not to be missed. This event is free to the public, but requires registration at www.gailborden.info.

• "Leonard Bernstein: American Icon Concert" will be at 1:30 and 8 p.m. Friday, May 1; 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3 at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. The conductor will be Robert Hanson with violinist Isabella Lippi.

The ESO and Maestro Hanson celebrate the work of the American icon, Leonard Bernstein, as part of a multiyear effort to explore American voices in orchestra music. A program including the Overture to "Candide" and "Symphonic Dances" from "West Side Story" explores the way in which Bernstein's music found relevance outside of the concert hall and into the fabric of American culture.

Tickets start at $15. For tickets call the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000 or visit online at www.ElginSymphony.org.