Elgin Symphony Orchestra

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra, four-time winner of Orchestra of the Year!

Woodwind

Meet the Musician: Erik Andrusyak, Principal Oboe

ESO's Principal Oboe, Erik Andrusyak

Erik Andrusyak, Principal Oboe

When did you begin to play your instrument?

I started oboe when I was 9 years old. My father played bassoon when he was younger, so one day he took me and my two older brothers to a local music school in Lipetsk, Russia, and he assigned us woodwind instruments according to how tall we were! The oldest brother was given a bassoon, the middle brother was handed a clarinet, and of course as the youngest I got an oboe.

Where did you study your main instrument; with whom?

After my initial studies in Russia I came to Chicago and studied with the ESO’s own oboe and English horn player Joseph Claude! Later I attended DePaul University where I studied with Grace Hong and Alex Klein.

When did you join ESO?

I just joined the ESO in the fall of 2019. It has been an amazing time with the ESO so far and I can’t wait to get back to the stage with my colleagues to perform for you again soon!

What other orchestras have you played with/do you play with now?

I have performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic, the New World Symphony, the Illinois Symphony and the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.

What was your most memorable ESO performance?

Besides my very first performance in September when I got to first meet and play with the great musicians of the ESO, my most memorable performance was the Mother Goose Ballet and Bolero program in November! Ravel can be challenging to perform, but despite this his music is often so transcendentally peaceful!

What are some of your interests, and how are you passing the time?

I am obsessed with film and have an enormous list of films I need love to see. I have been passing much of the time introducing my wife to many of my favorite films and franchises, one of which was Star Wars! I have proudly converted her to being a Star Wars fan! We also have two cats and love spending time with them.

  • ESO's Principal Oboe, Erik Andrusyak
    Erik Andrusyak, Principal Oboe
  • Erik Andrusyak with Joseph Claude
    Erik Andrusyak with Joseph Claude
  • Erik Andrusyak with his wife
    Erik Andrusyak with his wife

Meet the Musician: Jean Bishop, Principal Flute

Jean Bishop, ESO Principal Flute

Jean Bishop, Principal Flute

When did you begin to play your instrument?

I was 14 – a freshman in high school. I was transferred out of an overcrowded art class and into the beginning band class about a week into my freshman year. Growing up in Chicago, there was at that time no elementary (K-8) music education – occasionally an outside teacher would come in to teach us songs and the like, so high school was my first exposure to instruments and band. The only instrument the band director had left when I arrived in class was a French horn. I tried valiantly, but that instrument made no sense to me! (Horn players everywhere will feel my pain.) The band director wanted to move me into concert band, but I wouldn’t do it unless he gave me a flute, which he did. So here we are, lol.

Where did you study your main instrument; with whom?

I went to Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University, and studied with Ralph Johnson, Mardele Combs Marcellus and Jean Berkenstock. I thought about doing a masters degree and even auditioned at a couple of schools, but then decided against it. It was a different era – these days I would advise anyone and everyone with a BM to continue on and get a MM.

When did you join ESO?

Oooo, a really long time ago!

What other orchestras have you played with/do you play with now?

I am a member of Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and have played as a substitute/extra with just about every orchestra in the area. I’ve done performances with the Grant Park Symphony, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Forest Symphony, Chicago Opera Theatre, South Bend Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic, Northwest Indiana Symphony and Wisconsin Philharmonic, to name a few.

Your most memorable ESO performance

So many! I think I would have to choose a concert with a large orchestra playing a really exciting piece, like Beethoven 9, The Planets, or Rite of Spring. Also, any of  Andrew Grams’ Mahler performances stick in my mind. Another one that I remember well was in January 2016, when we performed Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and Shostakovich Symphony No. 11.

What are some of your interests, and how are you passing the time?

I like to read – right now I’m making my way through all the Harry Potter books (for about the tenth time), and I’m doing a few home projects that I’ve never had time for. And experimenting with the Acapella app. I like to bake, but mostly do so at holiday time. Cookies and pie are my specialty. It’s rhubarb season, so I think rhubarb pie will be my next baking project.