‘Thrilling and exciting’: Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras to mark 50 years with anniversary concert
Nearly five decades after its inaugural performance, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras is still finding firsts to experience.
The group, which began in 1976 with 55 string players, will host its 50th anniversary concert and celebration featuring performances from 400 students on Saturday, April 18, at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.
Artistic Director and Youth Symphony Conductor Matthew Sheppard said it’s the first time they’ve brought all their ensembles together for one concert, including performances from musicians who range from fourth-graders to community college students.
“The whole thing is really thrilling and exciting,” he said.
While the organization is based in Elgin, Sheppard said EYSO draws musicians from about an hour away in all directions, more than 70 local communities in total. He said that by his “back of the napkin math,” they’ve had about 10,000 kids come through the program over the years.
The goal isn’t just to make better musicians.
“The majority of the students who come through our doors will not go on to be professional musicians, and, frankly, that’s a good thing,” he said. “The world needs more doctors and lawyers and administrators and teachers and politicians whose lives have been informed by the study of music. It’s something everybody can get something out of, and can use to nourish them and develop their curiosity and creativity.”
Sheppard, who is in his 10th year with EYSO — seventh as artistic director — said they’ve been working “for months and months and months” on logistics for the concert that will feature performances from groups as large as 90 players to as few as four.
“If there’s one thing we can all agree on from a concert standpoint, it’s better when the music takes longer than the transitions between groups,” he said.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. show at 425 Fawell Blvd. are available through the EYSO website at eyso.org for $30. There will also be a 5 p.m. cocktail reception with food and drinks. Tickets for the concert and reception are $90.
After starting with just one string ensemble, EYSO now offers three full orchestras, two string orchestras, a brass choir, a flute choir and a percussion ensemble, along with a chamber music institute, four honors chamber ensembles, and starter strings — a program expanding access to music education for underserved elementary students.
Next summer, youth symphony students will take the show on the road, embarking on an international tour to Argentina and Paraguay, where they will perform in renowned venues and collaborate with local musicians.
“They’ll get the opportunity to not only learn about music, but use music as the lens through which to learn about humanity, both their own humanity and the broader humanity,” Sheppard said.
As the group looks toward the future, Sheppard said the goal is simply to keep reaching more students.
“We really deeply believe in the special brand of music education that has been a part of the EYSO DNA for decades at this point,” he said. “Whether they’re considering a career in music or not, whether they just started their instrument or have been playing for 12 years, EYSO is a place for them. We just want to share that sense of possibility with as many people as we can.”