Elgin Symphony Orchestra to host masterclass with principal cellist Matthew Agnew

On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra will host a free masterclass with principal cellist Matthew Agnew at the Barrington Area Public Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. This masterclass from 2 to 4 p.m. is free and the public is encouraged to come and enjoy the music and the process of mastering cello technique.

To register to audit go to barringtonarealibrary.org.

Five area students have been selected and will be featured in the masterclass with Agnew.

The young cellists include Larkin High School senior David Betz, 18; Loyola University Chicago sophomore Annika Novotny; Gideon Crognale, 12, homeschooled; Batavia High School student Delia Bonnet, 15; and Judson University freshman Lexie Sanders, 19.

Matthew Agnew studied Suzuki cello from age 4 with Marilyn Kesler in Okemos, Michigan. In high school, he had the benefit of orchestra instruction and guidance from Shirley Mullins, a Janos Starker student, and cello instruction from Jane Katsuyama of the Dayton Philharmonic. He attended DePaul University on scholarship and studied with William Cernota from the Lyric Opera Orchestra. In 2001 he won second place at the Lansing Matinee Musicale Richardson Awards.

Agnew is the principal cellist of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2002. He also plays with several Chicago area orchestras, including Chicago Opera Theater, Music of the Baroque, Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra and the Joffrey Ballet. In 2005 he was awarded the assistant principal position with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, a summer festival orchestra in Lancaster, Ohio.

For information about upcoming Elgin Symphony Orchestra performances and to purchase tickets, contact the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000 or visit ElginSymphony.org.