EYSO to celebrate music of Leonard Bernstein

On Sunday, May 3, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform its final concert of its 33rd season, "Discover: Bernstein." Performances are scheduled at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Blizzard Theatre in the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

"(Leonard) Bernstein was the conductor who really championed the symphonies of Gustav Mahler at a time when most people didn't know them. Prelude will bring to life the rollicking scherzo from Mahler's Symphony No. 1," said Randal Swiggum, conductor of the Prelude Orchestra and the Youth Symphony.

The Philharmonia, Youth Symphony and Prelude will each perform music from "West Side Story," including the famous Quintet (Tonight) that closes Act 1, arranged for orchestra, and a new arrangement of "America," complete with Latin percussion, created especially for the Prelude Orchestra.

And it's not just the popular "West Side Story" Overture that will be featured at both performances. Bernstein's music was influential throughout society during his time and it continues to please music lovers worldwide.

The 2009 Young Artists Concerto winner Sarah Campbell of Naperville will perform Charles T. Griffes' mysterious and colorful Poem for Flute and Orchestra. Sarah is a junior at Neuqua Valley High School.

In addition to the concert repertoire, attendants at the 7 p.m. concert will see Susan Thorne receive the annual EYSO Music Educator of the Year award. The award recognizes Thorne's contributions to music education and support of the EYSO in her 33 years as orchestra director at Kimball Middle School in Elgin.

Thorne retired from Kimball last year but she continues her work as a music educator. This year, she provided coaching for the EYSO Chamber Music Institute and offers private lessons at St. Charles North High School. Thorne also plays violin with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets are $21, $16 for seniors, $12 for students and can be purchased at (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts.