Past Concerts
A Night in Old Vienna
January 26, 2019 at 7:30 pm
January 27, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Hemmens Cultural Center
Andrew Grams, conductor
A program of waltzes & polkas reminiscent of Vienna’s famous New Year’s concert.
Free Open Rehearsal: A Night in Old Vienna
Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 7:15 pm
This event is sold out.
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Haydn’s “Surprise” Symphony
January 11, 2019 at 7:30 pm Prairie Center for the Arts
January 12, 2019 at 7:30 pm Hemmens Cultural Center
January 13, 2019 at 2:30 pm Hemmens Cultural Center
Stephen Squires, conductor
Isabella Lippi, ESO concertmaster, violin
Haydn Symphony No. 94, “Surprise” Symphony
Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1
Kodaly Peacock Variations
ESO Sounds of the Season
Dec 8, 2018 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Dec 9, 2018 2:30 pm
Hemmens Cultural Center
Stephen Squires, conductor
Elgin Master Chorale
Catalina Cuervo, soprano
Midwest Dance Collective
Bring the entire family and create joyful holiday memories together at ESO Sounds of the Season. Includes a sing along, a visit from Santa Claus, and a cameo appearance by ESO Music Director Andrew Grams!
Chicago Ballet Conservatory The Nutcracker
Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 2 at 2:00 pm
Hemmens Cultural Center
Director Linda Cunningham
Conductor Steven Squires
Starring Alexandre Hammoudi (soloist with ABT), Abigail Simon (formerly with ABT and Joffrey Ballet), Roger Hendricks Simon (veteran actor/director of stage & screen), Raoni Xavier (Bolshoi Brazil) and Malachi Squires
Chicago Ballet Conservatory, in partnership with Elgin Symphony Orchestra and professional dancers and actors from around the world, brings “dreaming in color” to Elgin this holiday season!
TITANS: Beethoven, Strauss & Wagner
Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Hemmens Cultural Center
Andrew Grams, conductor
Laura Wilde, soprano
Beethoven Fidelio Overture
R. Strauss Four Last Songs
Wagner Highlights from The Ring
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)
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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.
