In our communities
ESO musicians are an integral part of the community, sharing the gift of music with tens of thousands of people each year with free community and education programs. Special connections with our community include:
Free Community Concerts
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra offers free performances throughout the Fox River Valley during the year in schools, houses of worship, healthcare facilities, parks, and other public spaces. This year we featured free concerts at the Juneteenth Festival and in Gifford Park on July 4th.
Check this page for upcoming community events.
Stay connected with us through social media.
Listener’s Club
Listener's Club is a free series of pre-concert conversations hosted at public libraries throughout the greater Elgin area during the week before each ESO concert weekend.
Led by Music Director Chad Goodman or Assistant Principal Second Violin Robbie Herbst, each session is an informal, welcoming look at the music you're about to hear. You'll learn about the composers, the history behind the works, and the details that bring a program to life, straight from the people on the podium and on stage.
Whether you're a longtime subscriber or have never been to a symphony concert, Listener's Club is a wonderful way to deepen your experience and connect with the musicians who make the music happen.
Our Presenters:
Chad Goodman is a wealth of knowledge and excitement that extends well beyond the podium. As Music Director, Chad works tirelessly to program engaging and diverse programs for each concert, so our Listener’s Club is the perfect chance to hear how these programs come together. As the conductor, there is incredible depth and understanding of each work that Chad will have prepared and will able to share along with unique insights and interesting facts you may not hear elsewhere!
Robbie Herbst, along with being our fantastic Assistant Principal Second Violin, is also an accomplished presenter and author. Having degrees in both history and music performance, Robbie provides an informed and engaging perspective on the background and artistry of the classical world. From him you can expect a rich and comprehensive presentation of classical music, both old and new.
Upcoming Listener’s Club Events
Gail Borden Public Library
270 N. Grove Ave.
Elgin, IL 60120
847-742-2411
Presented the Wednesday before Classics concert weekends from 12 - 1 PM
October 7, 2026
November 4, 2026
February 3, 2027
March 3, 2027
April 7, 2027
April 28, 2027
Barrington Area Library
505 N. Northwest Highway
Barrington, IL 60010
847-382-1300
Presented the Tuesday before Classics concert weekends from 1 - 2 PM
October 6, 2026
November 3, 2026
February 2, 2027
March 2, 2027
April 6, 2027
April 27, 2027