Fox Valley native takes over as ESO executive director

Elgin Symphony Orchestra announced on Wednesday that Erik Malmquist took over as the 70-year-old ensemble's executive director earlier this month. Malmquist had been ESO's director of artistic planning and operations since January 2020. Before that he managed opera artists for six years as artist manager and director of operations at Zemsky Green Artists Management in New York City.

"The Elgin Symphony Orchestra was a larger-than-life presence in my musical upbringing," said the Fox Valley native in a prepared statement. "I am both excited and humbled to return and be a part of its future."