Students receive music scholarships

Trumpeter Edier Fernandez (Elgin), clarinetist Leo Ocon (Dundee) and cellist Rafael Sanchez (Carpentersville) have been named the recipients of Elgin Symphony Orchestra's 2010 Jean Hove Young Musicians Scholarship.

Fernandez is entering seventh grade at Ellis Middle School in Elgin. Ocon is entering ninth grade at Dundee-Crown Middle School in Carpentersville and Sanchez is starting eighth grade at Carpentersville Middle School. They were chosen from a pool of seven finalists after auditioning before ESO Music Director Robert Hanson, musicologist Dan Maki and ESO violinist Susan Carlson.

As scholarship recipients, the students will receive six semesters (two years) of free private music instruction at Elgin Community College or Judson University. In addition, the student will receive three season subscriptions to the ESO Classics Series, as well as free instrument rental during the scholarship period. Upon successful completion of the scholarship program, the student will be awarded ownership of their musical instrument.

The Jean Hove Young Musician Scholarship was established in cooperation with ECC in 1999. The scholarship program was designed to develop the talent of young musicians, especially those who have been historically underrepresented in the field of classical music. In 2007, Judson University joined the program to offer a second scholarship with instruction by one of their music faculty. A one-time third scholarship was set up in 2010 through a generous donation by the ESO board of directors immediate past-president, Tom Roeser.

The ESO has been presenting educational opportunities for students of all ages since its formation in 1951. Over the past six decades, the ESO has continued to adapt its programs for the needs of the surrounding schools and communities. The support received from corporate sponsors, teachers, students, parents and schools helps to continue to grow and expand its educational offerings.

During the 2010-11 season, the programs will reach approximately 20,000 children, teachers, families, young musicians and concert-goers through concerts, participatory music programs in schools, master classes and events at the Hemmens Theatre, Prairie Center for the Arts, and various locations in suburban Chicago.