Past Concerts
Inside the Music™ with Andrew Grams: Wagner’s The Ring
Friday, November 2, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Hemmens Cultural Center
Andrew Grams and the ESO explore Wagner’s The Ring of the Nibelung at this fun, informal event. For newcomers and connoisseurs alike!
American Spectacular
Friday, October 5, 2018 at 7:30 pm Prairie Center for the Arts
Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 7:30 pm Hemmens Cultural Center
Sunday, October 7 at 2:30 pm Hemmens Cultural Center
Stephen Squires, conductor
Elgin Master Chorale (October 6 & 7 only)
Joe Shadday, tenor
An eclectic mix of American music by Irving Berlin, Aaron Copland, Julia Ward Howe, John Williams and more
Honors the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI
The Firebird
September 15, 2018 7:30 pm
September 16, 2018 2:30 pm
Hemmens Cultural Center
Andrew Grams, conductor
Joshua Roman, cello
Chopin Grande Valse Brillante
Bates Cello Concerto
Debussy Clair de Lune
Stravinsky Firebird Suite (1919)
Support the ESO
Support the ESO today with a tax-deductible donation and help us present amazing music and educational programs with Music Director, Andrew Grams.
Donate Now!
Season Finale: Bernstein and Mahler 5
Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 2:30 pm
These season finale concerts hold the ESO premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Suite, part of a worldwide celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The program will also feature Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, which conveys a dazzling array of emotions. The fourth movement of this symphony, Adagietto, may be the most famous of all his works.
Free Open Rehearsal May 4: Bernstein and Mahler 5
Friday, May 4, 2018
Doors open at 6:30pm, Rehearsal starts at 7:15pm
The ESO musicians work hard at rehearsals throughout the weeks to prepare for concerts, and we invite you to join us for this free and open to the public working rehearsal!
Hidden Treasure Fundraiser and Auction
Please join Maestro Andrew Grams and Event Chairs Rev. Arlyn & Jeanne Tolzmann for the ESO 2018 Fundraiser: Hidden Treasure! Sunday, April 29, 2018 from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm at St. Charles Country Club. Limited tickets available!
Music Emojis: Feelings, Connections, Life
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 11:15 am
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 11:15 am
Music Emojis: Feelings, Connections, Life, explores how music expresses emotion. The ESO Ainsworth Concerts for Youth are designed to introduce children in grades 2-8 to the fundamentals of music.
Brahms and Elgar Variations
Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 2:30 pm
This program features Elgar’s Cello Concerto, arguably the most exquisite concerto ever written for cello, performed by the 2016 Sphinx Competition winner, Thomas Mesa. These concerts also explore the theme and variation form in two works: Brahms’ Haydn Variations and Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
Inside the Music with Andrew Grams: Elgar’s Enigma Variations
Friday, March 23, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Andrew Grams and the ESO demystify the process of creating a masterwork. Dive deep into Elgar’s Enigma Variations in the first half of the event, as Andrew Grams explores what makes a great piece of music using excerpts performed by the ESO. After intermission, the orchestra plays the entire work with the audience experiencing a deeper connection to the piece.
Beethoven and Shostakovich
Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 2:30 pm
ESO favorite William Wolfram, piano, will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 on these concerts. Chicago-area guest conductor Edwin Outwater, known for his dynamic musical interpretations, will conduct the program, which includes Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 12.
Mozart Requiem
Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 11 at 2:30 pm
Experience elation and anguish, the bittersweet dichotomy of life, with this program that holds Vivaldi’s joyous Gloria and the transcendent masterwork, Mozart’s Requiem, featuring the Elgin Master Chorale and special guest soloists.
John Williams Scores for Spielberg Movies
Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 2:30 pm
A program of John Williams’s film scores from Steven Spielberg movies conducted by ESO Music Director Andrew Grams. With music from E.T., Jaws, Close Encounters and more, this evening is sure to entertain.
Free Open Rehearsal January 25th: John Williams Scores for Spielberg Movies
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Doors open at 6:30pm, Rehearsal starts at 7:15pm
The ESO musicians work hard at rehearsals throughout the weeks to prepare for concerts, and we invite you to join us for this free and open to the public working rehearsal!
SOLD OUT
Hungarian Rhapsody
Friday, January 5, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, January 7 at 2:30 pm
With works by Dvořák and Liszt, and featuring guest violinist, Bulgarian Bella Hristova, these concerts have a distinct Slavic flair. The famous Hungarian Rhapsody has been used in countless Warner Brothers and Disney cartoons. This program also holds Dvořák’s Symphony No. 6, and the ESO premiere of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5.
