Free ESO Family Concert with The Double Bass Duo March 6 at Gail Borden
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra Family Concert Series presents The Double Bass Duo, featuring ESO bassists John Floeter and Tim Shaffer, at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in the Meadows Community Room at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. The lowest, the largest and the most audacious of the string family, the double basses will entertain you with low sounds. You'll giggle, you'll learn, you'll say, "Who knew a bass could do that?!" Before the concert at 1 p.m., families are invited to the Musical Instrument Petting Zoo. Free tickets are available at the main library and the Rakow Branch. For information, call the library at (847) 742-2411.
John Floeter received his bachelor of music degree from DePaul University. Along with his position in the ESO, he has pursued an active freelance career in the Chicago area for many years. He is a section bassist with the Grant Park Orchestra of Chicago (at Millennium Park). He is principal bassist of both the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Lake Forest Symphony. As a substitute musician, Floeter has performed, recorded and toured extensively with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera of Chicago. He has also been the double bass instructor at the NIU School of Music for many years. John resides in Cary with his wife, Judy. They have three grown children, but their baby granddaughter, Josephine, commands most of their attention these days.
Tim Shaffer completed his bachelor of music degree with distinction at the Indiana University School of Music. He has been a professional double bassist since the age of 20, when he joined the New Orleans Symphony. For many years, he lived in Germany where he was principal bassist of the Westphalian Symphony Orchestra. After returning from Germany, he and his wife, Jocelyn, eventually settled in Elgin. Shaffer is principal bassist of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, section bassist with the Grant Park Orchestra of Chicago (at Millennium Park) during the summer, and an active Chicago area freelance musician. He also performs as a substitute musician with Lyric Opera of Chicago. He has toured throughout the United States, Europe and Japan and recorded with various ensembles during his career. He also holds adjunct teaching positions at ECC and Judson University and he has taught and mentored scores of students over the years.
Next weekend, the ESO, with music director Andrew Grams, will present the music of Johannes Brahms and Charles Ives at 7:30 p.m. March 12, and 2:30 p.m. March 13, at Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. The program showcases acclaimed German pianist Alexander Schimpf in a performance of the majestic Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2, one of the most technically challenging works in the piano repertoire. The concert also features Symphony No. 2 by American composer Charles Ives, known for pushing musical boundaries with his groundbreaking compositions. This will be the first performance of the Ives piece for the ESO and continues this season's focus on American composers. Tickets start at $30 and a Musically Speaking preconcert talk with Andrew Grams begins one hour before the show.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra, now in its 65th season, offers programming unmatched for an entertaining, informative and relaxing cultural experience. Known for their high-quality performances, ESO musicians represent some of the most talented musical artists in the region. In addition to magnificent music, patrons can also enjoy a drink, spend time with friends and even shop in the lobby of the Hemmens Cultural Center. From start to finish, the ESO brings world class, big city entertainment without the hassles of the big city. Visit www.elginsymphony.org.