ESO favorites return in ‘Time for Spring’

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra will present “Time for Spring” with guest artists Time for Three at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

It’s a gathering of ESO favorites when, back for a second engagement with the ESO, acclaimed trio Time for Three performs Pulitzer Prize-winner Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto 4-3. Conductor Alastair Willis returns to Elgin to lead this performance that also includes John Estacio’s “Spring’s Promise” and the much loved Symphony No. 5 in E minor by Tchaikovsky.

The spring-inspired program will be led by the Grammy-nominated conductor, who is currently the music director of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Previous positions include principal guest conductor with the Florida Orchestra’s Coffee Concert series, associate conductor of the Seattle Symphony, assistant conductor with the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras, and music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The trio transcends traditional classification, with elements of classical, country western, gypsy and jazz idioms forming a blend all its own. The members — violinists Zachary De Pue and Nicolas Kendall, and double bassist Ranaan Meyer — carry a passion for improvisation, composing and arranging, all prime elements of the ensemble’s playing.

Time for Three is committed to reaching younger audiences and has participated in a number of educational residencies and outreach concerts, and countless jam sessions and impromptu music-making with students, anywhere from university classes to pizza parties and coffee houses.

While staying in Elgin, the trio will visit local schools including Larkin High School to interact with local students and inspire young musicians through some planned presentations.

Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased through the ESO box office, (847) 888-4000 or by visiting www.elginsymphony.org.

The Prairie Center for the Arts is at 201 Schaumburg Court in Schaumburg. The Hemmens Cultural Center, ESO’s primary concert home, is at 45 Symphony Way, just south of Kimball Street and adjacent to The Centre of Elgin. Free parking is plentiful and valet parking is available at the Hemmens concerts for $10.