Elgin Symphony Orchestra to perform concert for families
Submitted by Elgin Symphony Orchestra
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra brings another fun, family concert to the Hemmens Cultural Center on Sunday, Feb. 24.
It is a perfect family outing. Spend the afternoon with the ESO and children can learn, explore and have fun with music.
Free, preconcert activities include arts and crafts, an instrument petting zoo, and hands-on musical activities and are sponsored by Elgin Area School District U-46.
During the kid-friendly concert, the ESO’s Woodwind Quintet will perform the classic fairy tale of “The Frog Prince” set to music — complete with narration originally created by Bob McGrath of “Sesame Street” fame. “A riot of color” is how Randal Swiggum, the ESO’s education conductor, describes “The Frog Prince.”
“The instruments of the ESO’s professional woodwind quintet are the most colorful in the orchestra. Think Peter and the Wolf. I mean, these instruments have personality. And those colorful personalities will take listeners on a magic ride through some really cool pieces.”
The award-winning Lux Saxophone Quartet also will join the fun on stage. The professional sax quartet will demonstrate the full range of what saxophones can do, including everything from “Black Bottom Stomp” to Philip Glass and even a piece with a didgeridoo, the mysterious sounding aboriginal instrument from Australia.
The concert takes place at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin. Activities for children start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for children and can be ordered online at www.elginsymphony.org or by calling the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000.