Elmhurst Symphony celebrates Bernstein's birthday

The Elmhurst Symphony will open its 58th season with a performance next month to celebrate the 100th birthday of composer Leonard Bernstein.

Under the direction of Conductor Stephen Alltop, the orchestra will take the stage at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road.

Soprano Michele Areyzaga will join the orchestra for the "Bernstein Spectacular" that features music from "Mass," "West Side Story" and "Candide," along with Aaron Copland's "Suite from Our Town."

Also on the program is violinist Margaret O'Malley, the 2018 Stanger Young Artist Audition winner, playing "Romance in F major."

In keeping with its tradition of contributing to the community, the orchestra will accept donations of nonfood items for the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry. Concertgoers are invited to bring paper and cleaning products and personal care items for all ages.

Concert tickets, which can be purchased on the ESO website at www.elmhurstsymphony.org or by calling the box office at (630) 941-0202, are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors, and $12 for students. Group and family rates are available.

Patrons can save by purchasing a three-, four- or five-concert season subscription. Subscriber benefits include purchase of additional single tickets for $25, free exchange of tickets (conditions apply), and subscriber-only gatherings.

The concert experience is enhanced by a discussion program, "Behind the Music Stand," led by Ted Hatmaker that takes place at 1:45 p.m. prior to the concert.

The orchestra's season is made possible in part by grants from the city, the Illinois Arts Council, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and 90.9-FM WDCB, Chicago's Home for Jazz.

To expand on the experience, the York Theater will present a showing of "West Side Story" at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, in downtown Elmhurst. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased on the ESO website, by calling the ESO box office, or at the door.