Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras to host concerts in Naperville and Elgin April 1-2
The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras continues its 47th season with an April 1 concert in the beautiful Wentz Hall in Naperville, followed by the free Chamber Music Institute Concerts on April 2 at Elgin Community College.
The Saturday concert celebrates all things brass as EYSO partners with the internationally acclaimed Chicago Brass Band. This concert is the third of four concerts in EYSO's 47th season and explores mixing the concepts of design fundamentals with music fundamentals, both in the sense of harmony and instrument construction.
EYSO, with members from approximately 70 communities, is one of the Chicago area's oldest and most respected youth orchestras, and works to inspire curiosity, imagination, and critical thinking through music.
“Experience the intense and ferociously complex competition music of a brass band, the groovy coolness of a brass choir performing jazz, and the sheer power and magnitude of sound in an orchestral finale - all with the excellence and artistry that is the hallmark of EYSO,” said Matthew Sheppard, artistic director and Youth Symphony conductor.
EYSO invites all to the 7 p.m. concert for a variety of performances featuring their Brass Choir Ensemble, flagship Youth Symphony orchestra, and a special collaboration with the Chicago Brass Band. Some Philharmonia students will also join this concert.
Featured repertoire for the “Fundamentals” concert is Respighi's epic “Pines of Rome” - complete with massive antiphonal brass forces - as well as “Amazing Grace” performed by Brass Choir and CBB side-by-side.
In-person tickets ($27, $22 for seniors or $16 for students, all fees included) and livestream tickets ($27 including fees) are now available for purchase at EYSO.org/concert.
The following day, on Sunday, April 2, concertgoers can round out their weekend with EYSO's free Chamber Music Institute Concerts at Elgin Community College.
This concert series will feature 20+ small group performances by students of EYSO's thriving Chamber Music Institute program, which allows students to develop the skills to rehearse and perform challenging repertoire without a conductor, find their own musical voice, and learn how to share it in a small group setting. Performances will occur at 12:45, 2 and 4:30 p.m. and take place in the ECC Spartan Auditorium, 1700 Spartan Drive.
In addition to a lively spring concert season, EYSO is now accepting audition applications for young musicians aged 4th grade through college. This is a unique opportunity for students who have a passion for music to grow as a musician and join a community of like-minded individuals. Auditions will take place May 25-28. Learn more at eyso.org/auditions.
The Illinois Council of Orchestras named EYSO the Youth Orchestra of the Year in 2021 for excellence in the field of music performance.
EYSO was awarded Programming of the Year in 2022, when Artistic Director Matthew Sheppard was awarded Conductor of the Year. EYSO has a national reputation for providing not only an engaging musical experience for its students, but also a comprehensive learning environment that promotes curiosity, imagination, critical thinking, and collaboration through methods of inquiry and “expert noticing.”
The mission of EYSO is to create a community of young musicians, enriching their lives and the lives of their families, schools, communities, and beyond, through the study and performance of excellent music. For more information, visit www.eyso.org or call (847) 841-7700.