The Illinois Council of Orchestras recently named the Elgin Symphony Orchestra the 2016 Professional Orchestra of the Year.
“This is a proud honor for the symphony,” ESO CEO Dave Bearden said.
Bearden said the award reflected not only on the quality of the ESO’s performances, but more broadly on the quality of its board and on the orchestra’s financial shape.
The ESO also took the top orchestra honor in 1988, 1999 and 2005, and Bearden noted that the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra is not among those vying for the council’s honors. “The honor does represent a level of excellence across the state,” Bearden said. “We have great community support, and a great board. This is an affirmation of everything we do and of how far we’ve come in the last few years.”
