ESO continues holiday tradition with magical concerts
When a show sells out, you know it’s got to be popular. So it is with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s Magical Holiday Concerts, which return to the Hemmens this weekend. Tickets, which start at $25, are still available for the 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. shows Saturday, Dec. 14, but the performance Sunday, Dec. 15 is sold out.
Resident Conductor Stephen Squires and the ESO plan to create a magical wonderland at the Hemmens, with beautiful staging and audiences’ holiday musical favorites. The Elgin Choral Union, Elgin Children’s Chorus, and Midwest Dance Collective join in the fun, along with a special surprise from the North Pole for the little ones.
Stephen Squires, resident conductor, is in his 24th season with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Squires earned a bachelor of music in music education from the Crane School of Music, at the State University of New York at Potsdam, as well as a master of music in Instrumental Conducting/Trumpet Performance at California State University, Northridge. In addition to his duties with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, he is the Music Director of the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, the Millar Brass, and the Illinois Brass Band.
Accompanying the orchestra will be vocalist Elizabeth Norman. A winner of The Metropolitan Opera National Finals, The Lynn Harvey and Bel Canto Competitions, The American Opera Society and the Union League Civic and Arts foundation Awards, Ms. Norman holds a bachelor of arts in education and voice from Morgan State University, Baltimore and a master of music in Vocal Performance from De Paul University. A former music consultant for the Chicago Public Schools, Elizabeth is a voice professor at Roosevelt University in Chicago where she and husband Arnold Sojourner reside.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra experience is known for a fun, relaxing, cultural experience. Patrons can enjoy a drink, time with friends and even shopping in the lobby of the Hemmens Cultural Center. From start to finish — the ESO brings world class, big city entertainment without the hassles of the big city.
The ESO’s Magical Holiday Concerts will be performed at the Hemmens Cultural Center at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets can be purchased through the ESO box office by calling (847) 888-4000, or by visiting www.elginsymphony.org.