Elmhurst Symphony preparing for 57th season

The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of music director and conductor Stephen Alltop, will begin its 57th season next month.

The opening concert, "Mozart and Beethoven Gems," is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 Brush Hill Road.

The concert will feature Mozart's "Overture to La finta giardiniera." Featured guest artist is Elizandro Garcia-Montoya performing Mozart's "Clarinet Concerto in A Major" and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 6 in F Major (Pastoral)."

The concert, in memory of ESO board member Edgar Swarthout, is sponsored by a gift from Ray and Sally Allen. Jane and Richard Kiep are underwriters of the Mozart Overture.

A preconcert Oktoberfest fundraising dinner celebrates the opening of the ESO's season. From 5:15 to 6:30 p.m., concertgoers can enjoy grilled bratwurst and roast pork loin accompanied by traditional German side dishes.

The dinner costs $30 and reservations can be made through Friday, Oct. 6, on the ESO website, www.elmhurstsymphony.org, or by calling the ESO Box Office at (630) 941-0202.

Concert tickets, which can be purchased on the ESO website or by calling the box office, are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors, and $12 for students. Group and family rates also are available.

Patrons can save on ticket costs by purchasing a three-, four- or five-concert season subscription. Subscriber benefits include the ability to purchase additional single tickets for $25, free exchange of tickets (conditions apply), and subscriber-only gatherings.

Parking at the church is free.

The concert experience is enhanced by a discussion session, Behind the Music Stand, led by Ted Hatmaker, which takes place at 5:45 p.m., prior to the concert.

The 57th season of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is made possible, in part, by grants from the city of Elmhurst, the Illinois Arts Council, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and 90.9-FM WDCB, Chicago's Home for Jazz.