Carpentersville kids win Elgin Symphony scholarships
Violist Dearion Wright and violinist Karla Barrera, both of Carpentersville, have been named the recipients of the 2009 Elgin Symphony Orchestra's Jean Hove Young Musicians Scholarship. Dearion, a sixth-grade student of Lakewood School, and Karla, a seventh-grade student at Carpentersville Middle School, were chosen from a pool of seven finalists after auditioning before ESO music director Robert Hanson, musicologist Dan Maki, and ESO violinist Susan Thorne.
As scholarship recipients, the students will receive six semesters (two years) of free private music instruction at Elgin Community College or Judson University. In addition, the student will receive three season subscriptions to the ESO Classics Series, as well as free instrument rental during the scholarship period. Upon successful completion of the scholarship program, the student will be awarded ownership of their musical instrument.
The Jean Hove Young Musician Scholarship was established in cooperation with Elgin Community College in 1999. The scholarship program was designed to develop the talent of young musicians, especially those who have been historically underrepresented in the field of classical music. In 2007, Judson University joined the program to offer a second scholarship with instruction by one of their music faculty.
The ESO has been presenting educational opportunities for students of all ages since its formation in 1951. Over the past six decades, the ESO has continued to adapt its programs for the needs of the surrounding schools and communities. The support received from corporate sponsors, teachers, students, parents and schools helps to continue to grow and expand the ESO's educational offerings.
During the 2009-2010 season, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Education Programs will reach approximately 20,000 children, teachers, families, young musicians, and concertgoers through concerts, participatory music programs in schools, master classes and events at the Hemmens Theatre, Prairie Center for the Arts, and various locations in suburban Chicago.