EYSO Brass Choir to perform with renowned euphonium player in Batavia
Submitted by EYSO
On Saturday, April 13, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Brass Choir will perform with Demondrae Thurman at 2:30 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. There will also be a “Masterclass with Demondrae Thurman” at noon which is free and open to the public.
Thurman is a renowned euphonium player who will perform Mahler’s heartbreaking “Songs of Wayfarer” at the 2:30 p.m. concert. He is considered one of the stars of a formidable generation of brass soloists.
Tickets for the concert may be purchased at tickets.elgin.edu or (847) 622-0300. Tickets are $24 (general public), $19 (senior citizens), and $13 (students). Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Audience members will enjoy a concert experience highlighted by the interesting musical arrangements for the ensemble and their guest who has performed for audiences around the world. Under the direction of Jason Flaks, the Brass Choir performs in all three of the EYSO season concerts as well as this annual featured performance.
Thurman has a strong international reputation as a euphonium soloist having performed in France, Germany, England, Norway, Romania, and throughout North America. Over the last 10 years, he has been an invited guest artist/clinician at many of the world’s prestigious euphonium festivals including the International Tuba/Euphonium Conference, U.S. Army Band Tuba and Euphonium Conference, and the Leonard Falcone Competition. His primary teachers are John Stevens, J. Michael Dunn, James Jenkins, and Daniel Drill.
Thurman is also an active chamber musician. He plays first euphonium and trombone in the highly regarded Sotto Voce Quartet which tours extensively. The quartet has released three recordings on the Summit Records label. To learn more about Demondrae Thurman, visit demondrae.com.
The EYSO auditions will be held from May 30 to June 2. Students who will begin fourth grade through college in the fall may audition for a seat in one of the six ensembles. Applications, audition requirements, and scheduling may be found at eyso.org, or by calling the EYSO office at (847) 841-7700.
The EYSO is committed to making participation accessible to any qualified student regardless of financial need. Students have opportunities each year to earn part or all of their tuition. Since the EYSO is an In-Residence Ensemble at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, students who are 16 years of age at the beginning of a concert cycle are eligible to earn college credit while playing in the EYSO.