ESO reflects on holiday concert success, upcoming shows
Submitted by Elgin Symphony Orchestra
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra hosted more than 3,000 concertgoers with the Dec. 15-16 holiday concerts. The Sunday concert sold out. Patrons were waiting in line, anxious for the news that someone had turned in their ticket, thus opening up a seat.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s concerts were the “place to be” as the concerts were the most-talked-about in the ESO’s recent history.
From the Christmas-themed balloon sculptures to the family photography station to the Elgin Children’s Chorus in festive attire holding candles during the “Silent Night” sing-along, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra concerts gave each audience member a magical start to the holiday season.
This is the first sold-out concert the ESO has seen in recent years, and it’s just the latest in a series of expanding concert attendance for the ESO events at the Hemmens Cultural Center.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra also announced at the “Let It Snow” concerts that an anonymous donor will match up to $150,000 through the end of 2012.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concerts, titled “Let It Snow”, featured a new voice to the roster of ESO guest artists, Rachel DeShon. Named “Seattle’s Littlest Diva,” ESO patrons were entranced as she ended the program with her signature song, “O Holy Night.” DeShon has been featured on many occasions with Marvin Hamlisch and was scheduled to tour with him in 2012 before his untimely death. DeShon was recently featured with the Seattle Symphony and the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Returning to the stage was Rich Ridenour, a seasoned guest artist with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Ridenour always brings top notch artistry with his piano playing and witty arrangements of well-known Christmas songs. Ridenour has performed with the ESO on several occasions including his most recent appearance with his son, Brandon, the youngest trumpeter to have joined the Canadian Brass, as featured artists at the ESO fundraiser honoring Harry and Phyllis Blizzard in June 2012. He created a special arrangement of “Christmastime is Here” after hearing the Elgin Children’s Chorus perform in 2011. His arrangement of the ever-famous “Rhapsody in Blue” by Gershwin included an interlude of memorable Christmas melodies.
On Jan. 10-13, the ESO presents renowned conductor and pianist Ignat Solzhenitsyn, an ESO music director finalist, with the talented Jennifer Frautschi, featured on Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.”
The ESO will make its debut appearance at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre in Batavia on Thursday, Jan. 10. The ESO will perform the same concert at the Schaumburg Prairie Center of the Arts on Friday, Jan. 11, ending the concert weekend in Elgin at the Hemmens Cultural Center on Jan. 12-13.
On Jan. 26-27, the Elgin Symphony presents “Wicked Divas,” showcasing vocalists Julie Rieber and Emily Rozek from Broadway’s hit musical, “Wicked.” The two singers will perform hit tunes from popular musicals, such as “Gypsy,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Chicago,” and “Wicked.” Purchase your tickets soon as another sold-out performance is anticipated.
To support the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, visit ElginSymphony.org.
For more information, call the box office at (847) 888-4000.