Help symphony raise money with tea party
Submitted by EYSO
On Saturday, Sept. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m., the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra will host a tea party to raise proceeds for the EYSO Student Scholarship Fund, a project of the Tea-lanthropy Women’s Giving Circle of the EYSO.
The Ladies Tea, inspired by the hit PBS television program “Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey,” will be held at the Oscar Swan Country Inn, 1800 W. State St., Geneva. Tickets are $45 per person and may be purchased by calling the EYSO office at (847) 841-7700, or RSVP to rsvp@eyso.org. Make your reservations today as tea seating is limited.
Come out and support this organization dedicated to making music accessible to all students in third grade through college. The EYSO is an In-Residence Ensemble in the Arts Center at Elgin Community College. The experience of being a member of the EYSO is one that is truly exceptional, creating lifelong memories and friendships while expanding the love of music in young students that will benefit generations to come.
Honorary chairwoman Sandy Kaptain, wife of Elgin’s Mayor David Kaptain, will be the tea hostess this year. This afternoon event will celebrate the English High Tea tradition with finger sandwiches, special desserts, scones with Devonshire cream, and of course, tea.
The tea party will feature one of the beloved “Downton Abbey” characters portrayed by a local Fox Valley actress, a “Hat and Accessories Fashion Show” of lovely items from The Little Traveler in Geneva, door prizes, and special surprises.
Guests are welcome to dress in period fashions including your favorite hat. Music will be provided by students from the EYSO.
The EYSO is committed to making participation accessible to any qualified student regardless of financial need. Since the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra is an In-Residence Ensemble at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, students who are 16 years of age at the beginning of a semester are eligible to earn college credit while playing in the EYSO, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The tax-deductible portion of your ticket price is $20.
The theme for the 2013-14 season will be “Bardology: The Genius of Shakespeare.” The arts are more than just pleasant diversions. They are a lens to view the human experience, a special way of understanding reality, a way to communicate what we know about the world (and ourselves). The EYSO has long believed that the comprehensive study and performance of great music offers just such an opportunity to dig deeper.
Its 38th season celebrates the genius and influence of William Shakespeare with some of the greatest works for orchestra ever written.
The EYSO is home to five orchestras and a brass choir with 350 students from over 55 communities. Founded in 1976, its mission is to create a community of young musicians, enriching their lives and the lives of their families, schools, communities and beyond, through the study and performance of music. Musicians work and study under artistic director Randal Swiggum who celebrated his 15th year with the organization this past season.
The EYSO is partially supported by grants from the EFS Foundation, the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, the Grand Victoria Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), and the Palmer Foundation. Visit www.eyso.org.