ESO gives two scholarships

After auditions in late May, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra has announced the winners of two scholarships.

Beatriz Rios, a flutist from Carpentersville Middle School was awarded the Jean Hove Young Musician's Scholarship, supported by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with Elgin Community College.

The Judson University/Elgin Symphony Orchestra Young Musician's Scholarship was awarded to Sean Edwards, a violinist from Creekside Elementary School in Elgin.

Through each scholarship, both winners will receive free private lessons at either Elgin Community College or Judson University, three season subscriptions to the Elgin Symphony Orchestra's Classics Series, and free instrument rental for two years.

Upon completion of the two year program, the student will be awarded ownership of the instrument.

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Elgin Community College created the Jean Hove Young Musician's Scholarship program to target students who traditionally have been underrepresented in the field of classical music. This year, Judson University and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra have partnered to offer an additional scholarship. Both scholarship programs seek to assist talented students who demonstrate outstanding musical leadership abilities, yet do not receive private music lessons.

"These scholarships are based on the student's need and their musical talent," said Maestro Robert Hanson. "This opportunity gives students the chance to realize their full musical potential."

Students in fifth through eighth grades who have completed musical training in their school band or orchestra are eligible for scholarship consideration. Students must have no prior history of private instrument instruction.

The selection and award process has three phases: nomination of students by the school instrumental music instructor, committee review of applications and selection of finalists, and an audition and interview with finalists and their parents and/or guardians to select the winners. Instruments covered by this scholarship include cello, clarinet, flute, French horn, oboe, trumpet, viola and violin.

The ESO would like to thank all of the music teachers who submitted candidates for the awards this year as well as the members of the selection committee.

With a budget of more than $3 million, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra is Illinois' preeminent regional orchestra and the 2nd largest in the state. Under the leadership of Maestro Robert Hanson, it performs more than 60 concerts a year to audiences of more than 50,000. The ESO broadcasts its Classic performances on the fourth Friday of each month on 98.7FM WFMT, the Midwest's largest classical music station. In 2005 the Illinois Council of Orchestras named the ESO "Orchestra of the Year" for an unprecedented third time. In May of 2008, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra released its first international recording, an album featuring works of Aaron Copland, as part of the NAXOS label's American Classics collection.