Mexican musical heritage takes center stage at Elgin Symphony’s Día de los Muertos concert
Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a two-day Mexican holiday to honor the memory of departed loved ones, and to rekindle the relationship between the living and the dead. The annual event has become a landmark affirmation of Mexican identity and cultural heritage.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra presents its third annual Día de los Muertos concert on Thursday, Oct. 29. Mexico’s rich musical heritage blooms with the power of a full orchestra, pulsating with exuberant dance forms, driving rhythms, and irresistible folk melodies.
This exceptional event features music by Mexico’s most influential composers, past and present, celebrating the traditions at the heart of the holiday. Ballet Folklórico Huehuecoyotl returns as well, performing traditional dances from across Mexico.
Music director Chad Goodman, who will conduct the orchestra, says, “This concert celebrates our Hispanic community, its lively musical culture, and the charisma of young musicians. Elgin’s own José Carlos Díaz returns for his third year. His lush tenor brought down the house last year with romantic bolero arrangements that the ESO commissioned especially for our festival. We’re also thrilled to welcome the incredible violinist Alejandra Switala, who will be taking center stage to make her ESO solo debut at this concert.”
Composer Arturo Márquez, a champion of Mexico’s national music, wrote one of his most beloved symphonic works in Danzón No. 2. The piece draws on the danzón, a Cuban dance-hall form that became a cherished part of Mexican musical life. Both sultry and spirited, Márquez’s colorful take blends modern techniques and jazz influences into a jubilant celebration.
Manuel Ponce’s serenade “Estrellita” (“Little Star”) is often hailed as one of the most beautiful melodies ever written, carrying Mexican folk song into the concert hall. In its tender lyrics, a lovesick singer gazes up at a distant star and begs it to come down and tell them whether their beloved feels the same.
José Pablo Moncayo’s “Huapango” draws on three traditional dances (El Siquisirí, El Balajú, and El Gavilancito) from Veracruz, an important region on Mexico’s Gulf Coast.
Huapango, meaning “on the wood,” refers to the wooden platforms utilized by dancers in performance. Strummed violins imitate the guitars and other traditional string instruments of the region, while the trumpet and harp capture the unmistakable Veracruz sound. So beloved is the piece that it is often called Mexico’s second national anthem.
“We are thrilled to present our third annual Día de los Muertos concert in partnership with the city of Elgin and the Gail Borden Public Library,” said ESO CEO Marc Thayer. “This performance embraces Latino musical heritage as well as the Día de los Muertos traditions from across Latin America.”
“Elgin has a large, historic Latino community, making shared culture and music-making an important way to connect with our neighbors and learn about each other’s rich heritage,” Thayer said. “Last year’s performance drew new guests into the Hemmens Cultural Center, many of whom experienced the Elgin Symphony for the very first time. This is an outstanding way to hear the vibrant melodies and distinct rhythms that encompass Mexico’s deep musical traditions.”
Music director Chad Goodman will lead the Día de los Muertos concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Featured soloists include tenor José Carlos Díaz and violinist Alejandra Switala, as well as dance performances by Ballet Folklórico Huehuecoyotl.
Tickets are available at ElginSymphony.org. Tickets start at $20. Continuing its commitment to making performances affordable and accessible to the community, the ESO offers discounts for groups of 10 or more, student tickets for $10 for those with a valid student ID, and a free youth ticket for children age 17 and under with a paid adult ticket.
For details or to include free youth tickets to your order, call the ESO box office at 847-888-4000. The ESO box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The ESO’s 77th season is made possible through the generous support of donors, including season sponsors Otto Engineering, Willow Springs Charitable Trust, and an anonymous sponsor; Concert Sponsors the Illinois Arts Council, The Pepper Family Foundation, and John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc.; contributing sponsors Elgin Symphony League, Barrington Area Community Foundation, Seigle Foundation, Florence B. & Cornelia A. Palmer Foundation, Richard & Carol Leonard Foundation, and W.R. Meadows; and community sponsors Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Donald & Kathleen Brungard Family Foundation, Epic Real Estate Group, and ARK Technologies.
About the Elgin Symphony Orchestra
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is one of the preeminent regional orchestras in the United States, and is led by Chad Goodman, who was named the ESO’s music director — the fifth in the Orchestra’s history — in May 2023.
Since its founding in 1950, the organization has developed a reputation for artistic excellence, and innovative programming as demonstrated through its long history of highlighting the works of world-renowned conductors, composers, and musicians, and of promoting the advancement of women in the arts.
The ESO became a professional ensemble in 1985 in good part due to the leadership of the late Margaret Hillis, who served as the ESO’s music director from 1971 to 1985. Hillis was one of the first females to break through the male-dominated world of conducting and is credited with being the impetus behind the creation of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Association, the formation of the ESO’s volunteer core — the Elgin Symphony League, and the start of the ESO’s commitment to music education and enrichment for youth.
Today, the ESO continues to draw its creativity and artistry from the Elgin area and gives back to the community through its Adopt-A-School program that provides supplemental music education and in-school performances to local schools; Musicians Care program that brings live music performances to local hospitals, hospices, and retirement homes; informational Listener’s Club events and other free programs at public libraries; In Harmony Program in places of worship; Ainsworth Concerts for Youth; free tickets for youth under 18; open rehearsals; and free community concerts throughout the region.
The Illinois Council of Orchestras has named the ESO “Professional Orchestra of the Year” five times (1988, 1999, 2005, 2016, and 2025) and named Goodman “Professional Conductor of the Year” in 2025.
The ESO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more or to support the ESO, visit elginsymphony.org.