Audition with the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra

The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, an In-Residence Ensemble in the Arts Center at Elgin Community College, will continue auditions to become a part of the EYSO during this year of celebration and discovery.

With the addition of yet another orchestra, the EYSO is expanding its offerings for young musicians. Andrei Pricope has been hired to co-conduct Primo Orchestra, along with EYSO Music Director Randal Swiggum.

Sinfonia, another full orchestra, begins this season, conducted by Daniel Beder. Beth Wood will resume conducting the Prelude Orchestra.

Pricope, originally from Romania, has been teaching strings and coaching chamber music groups since graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music (England) and Northern Illinois University. A former principal cellist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, he worked with such influential conductors as Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta and Christoph Eschenbach. Chamber music has been a big part of Pricope's career. He served as teaching assistant to the famed Vermeer Quartet and was featured on WFMT with members of the Chicago Symphony.

Following in his father's footsteps, Pricope's work with young musicians has become a passion. He has been a popular coach in the EYSO's Chamber Music Institute, and his own studio, Park Ridge Strings, has achieved prominence for some of the finest training for young string players in Chicago.

"As the new co-conductor of the Primo Orchestra, I am thrilled to be working with the EYSO. Under the experienced leadership of Mr. Swiggum, I look forward to helping develop the skills and talents of the Primo Orchestra's budding musicians while preparing them for future musical experiences. Laying a strong foundation for further technical and creative development in a nurturing group setting is an important and rewarding endeavor and reinforces the players' commitment to self-discovery and artistic excellence," Pricope said about his new appointment.

Swiggum, who also conducts the EYSO's top orchestra, the Youth Symphony, is looking forward to working alongside Pricope, co-conducting the Primo Orchestra. "I really love this age group" he said, "and the EYSO is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the highest possible musical experience for young string players of varying abilities.

For information, visit eyso.org, or call (847) 841-7700.

A few openings still exist in certain EYSO orchestras. The auditions continue on Thursday, July 8. The Primo Orchestra is the training string ensemble for beginning players with little auditioning experience. Students in fourth to eighth grade who may or may not be taking private lessons may audition for a few remaining openings for the 2010-11 season. EYSO's newest ensemble Sinfonia will be auditioning brass, winds and percussion players for the second semester on Saturday, Oct. 16. Watch the EYSO website for more information.