Elgin Symphony Orchestra announces 2019-20 lineup, new ticket options

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra will offer a "Build Your Own Series" package for its 2019-20 season, which begins Sept. 14.

It has also restructured its pops series, instead calling the concerts "Special Events."

The symphony announced its lineup Friday.

"We've spent many months taking a good look at programming and we learned a lot through research, post-concert surveys and focus groups," Andrew Grams, music director, said in a prepared statement. "We listened to what you had to say and created concert programs with you in mind. We think you're going to love the results."

The Classics Series includes Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun," Mozart's Symphony No. 40, Ravel's "Bolero," plus lesser-known works such as Edward's Maninyas Violin Concerto.

For the Special Events series, three single-ticket events may be combined to create a "Build Your Own Series," or may be added to the Classic Series at a discount.

The Special Events shows are "Bravo Broadway," "Abbey Road," "Inside the Music," "Deck the Halls" and "Mariachi!" (The "Abbey Road" can't be included in the "Build Your Own Series.")

The final concert of the season, in May 2020, will include Gustav Holst's "The Planets, Opus 32," said to have inspired John Williams' compositions for the "Star Wars" movies.

It will continue with free ESO Listener Clubs, hosted by music historian Jim Kendros, the Wednesday before Classics Series performances at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin and GreenFields in Geneva.

Current subscribers have until March 29 to renew their subscriptions. New series orders are being accepted now as well. Single-event tickets go on sale in the summer.

For the complete schedule and prices, visit elginsymphony.org. For purchase information, call patron services manager Audra Odzana at (847) 888-4000, or email boxoffice@elginsymphony.org.