Learn about the classics at ESO’s Listeners Club meetings

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s Listeners Club is a free interactive lecture/discussion series which meets at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

The series is led by Jim Kendros, a music historian who will broaden your understanding of the music to be performed in the Classic Masterworks concerts. You will learn the music from the inside out and even meet new friends.

The Listeners Club meets the Wednesday before a “Classic Masterworks” concert from 1 to 3 p.m.

The next program will be on March 6. It will preview the ESO’s March 8-10 performances of “Time for Spring” featuring Canadian composer John Estacio’s 2004 orchestral fanfare, “Spring’s Promise,”American composer Jennifer Higdon’s 2007 orchestral work, Concerto 4-3, and Russian classical composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor, op. 64.

It will be followed by a program on April 3. It will preview the ESO’s April 5-7 performances of “Nature’s Awakening” featuring Haydn’s Symphony No. 88 in G major, Nielsen’s Concerto for Flute & Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 68, “Pastorale.”

The final program on May 1 will be on the ESO’s May 4-5 performances of “A Lark of a Season” featuring Mussorgsky’s Introduction (“Dawn on the Moska River”) from “Khovantchina,” Vaughan Williams’ “The Lark Ascending,” and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 in E minor, op. 93.

Call to reserve your seat, (847) 888-0404, ext. 238, or visit elginsymphony.org/listenerClubForm.php.