ESO to open season with Transcend concerts

The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra will open the 2007-08 season with its Transcend concerts.

Two performances are scheduled at 4 and 7 p.m. today at the Blizzard Theatre in the Elgin Community Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Both concerts celebrate the power of music to create new worlds.

The EYSO, named the 2007 Youth Orchestra of the Year, explores sound through the work of various artists including: Howard Hanson's nostalgic Symphony No. 2 ("Romantic") and Gustav Mahler's transcendent First Symphony ("Titan") with its epic themes of struggle and redemption.

Mutations from Bach by Samuel Barber will be performed by the EYSO Brass Choir at 7 p.m.

Mahler's First Symphony Titan will be performed at 7 p.m. by the Youth Symphony.

Tickets are $19, $12 seniors and $10 students. Tickets can be purchased at the ECC box office located in the Arts Center, by phone (847) 622-0300, or online at www.elgin.edu/arts. Tickets also may be purchased the day of the event. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted for payment.