Elgin Symphony Orchestra

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

ESO in the News

Meet the Musician: Mary Buscanics-Jones, French Horn

ESO-Mary-Buscanics-Jones, French-Horn

Mary Buscanics-Jones, French Horn

When did you begin to play your instrument?

I started horn in 7th grade. Previous to that I took piano lessons starting in 3rd grade then played flute in 6th grade. Needless to say, switching to horn was wonderful!!

Where did you study your main instrument; with whom?

In high school I studied horn with Patricia Standley through the CMU Saturday Extension School. (Fun Fact : As a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony she was on “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” in March of 1968!) I went to Carnegie-Mellon University 1972-1977, where I studied with Forrest Standley through five years of college and beyond. In Aspen I studied with Michael Hatfield. When I moved to Chicago I studied with then-Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal hornist Dale Clevenger, Eugene Chausow and Arnold Jacobs, and had just a couple of lessons with Gail Williams.

When did you join ESO?

I auditioned for Margaret Hillis and Robert Hanson and began with ESO the fall of 1981.

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

The many groups I’ve played with include Chicago Opera Theater 2018, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Forest Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic and the Pittsburgh Symphony.

What was your most memorable ESO performance?

This past February I played second horn on the Strauss Oboe Concerto. The part was very unusual in that it was mostly separate from the first horn part and really fun. It had these neat parts interwoven with other instruments including the solo oboe. I was so glad that I did my “homework” before that ESO week began! Before Covid-19 social distancing was put in place, I had just finished a week of  Ein Heldenleben with Madison Symphony. Overnight I lost weeks of orchestra work that I was preparing to perform. It was so sad to miss out on the weeks of orchestra playing, but just having played wonderful interesting music in two different orchestras helped me to cope.  

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

I’ve truly been enjoying my walks outside. They seem to help me to stay grounded. My husband and I walk a bike trail and it is a good way to remember how much we enjoy time together. I’ve been sorting music and stuff and listening to WFMT. I’m surprised that I am enjoying just listening to music. For many years listening to music has been almost exclusively to learn it in order to perform it! I am reading much more, and really just learning to relax!!

Meet the Musician: Greg Flint, Principal French Horn

ESO musician Greg-Flint-French-Horn

Greg Flint, Principal French Horn

When did you begin to play your instrument?

In the 4th grade. It was going to be the horn, or the oboe. Luckily, my aunt and uncle had an old horn that was not being used in their attic. It stuck with me right away.

Where did you study your main instrument; with whom?

I started with Anna Cloud (formerly of the Seattle Symphony) when we lived in Seattle. In Wenatchee, Washington, I studied with Glenn Kelly (conductor) and Verne Windham (principal horn of the Spokane Symphony). At Northwestern University I studied with Richard Oldberg and Dale Clevenger, both of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

When did you join ESO?

I officially joined the ESO around 2000.

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

My main orchestral experience outside of the ESO has been with the Milwaukee Symphony, the Santa Fe Opera orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet orchestra, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago orchestra. I have also played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra, the Honolulu Symphony, and the Key West Symphony.  (I like working in warmer climates. 🙂)

What was your most memorable ESO performance?

There have been many, but if I were to pick one, it would be our performance of “Ghost Ranch” by Michael Daugherty.  The piece was new to me, by a composer I really admire (who was in the audience for Saturday night’s performance), and the piece prominently featured the outstanding ESO horn section.

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

I am the horn professor at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, so my big consuming passion is working with music students, and the study of brass pedagogy. Teaching online has been an interesting challenge, but like any creative endeavor, I think it’s much more effective and satisfying in “real life”.

I enjoy reading both fiction and non-fiction, and am getting much more of that in now, along with horn practicing, and learning new repertoire. Traveling is also a love of mine, but right now that consists of many walks around our neighborhood in Wauwatosa, WI.

My wife Karen is a fine pianist and horn player (she often plays with the ESO), and my daughters play trombone (Zoe) and viola (Kate). It is an interesting combination of instruments, and we are hoping to become more of an online musical presence soon 🙂. We are also preparing a program for hospital patients and staff.

Wishing everyone good health, and strength during these difficult times. 

Meet the Musician: Trevor O’Riordan, Clarinet

ESO Trevor O'Riordan, Clarinet

Trevor O’Riordan, clarinet

When did you begin to play your instrument?

I started clarinet in 6th grade, when I was 11 years old.

Where did you study your main instrument; with whom?

I received my Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Clarinet Performance from the Eastman School of Music in 2001 and 2003 respectively.  I studied with Jon Manasse.

When did you join ESO?

I joined the ESO in 2017.

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

I am Principal Clarinetist with both the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and the Illinois Philharmonic, and Second Clarinetist with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra.  I also joined the Chicago Philharmonic in 2019 and have played with the Chicago Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra.

What was your most memorable ESO performance?

The Nutcracker is possibly my favorite piece of classical music, and is something I watched and listened to all the time as a kid.  To have an opportunity to play the full ballet in Elgin with my colleagues was something I’ve been looking forward to since I was 11.

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

I love to read all kinds of literature, and my wife Diane and I make time each day. Most days start Watching movies, listening to music, and making sure my two kids stay busy!

Meet the Musician: Ross Beacraft, Principal Trumpet

Ross Beacraft, Principal Trumpet

When did you begin to play your instrument?

When I was four years old, my grandfather who was an amateur cornetist, promised to give me a trumpet as soon as my adult teeth were in. After four years of anticipation, I received one of his old instruments on my 8th birthday and the journey began.

Where did you study your main instrument; with whom?

As a high school student in Miami, FL, I studied with Bower Murphy, a lovely man who had studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and the Paris Conservatory. His kindness and love of music made a great impression on me. For college I attended the Eastman School of Music and during summers and holidays returned to Miami to study with Harry Glantz, the former principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic and the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini. Lucky for me Mr. Glantz chose to retire about a 45-minute drive from my house. After Eastman, I joined the North Carolina Symphony but left there after a year (I was being drafted at the time) and moved to Chicago to study with Arnold Jacobs, the great brass pedagogue. When I was unexpectedly released from my service requirement, I decided to return to Chicago, where I joined the Civic Orchestra (the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and began my studies with Adolph Herseth, Vincent Cichowicz and William Scarlett – all members of the Chicago Symphony trumpet section.

When did you join ESO?

 I joined the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 1985.

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

I have performed as the Third Assistant First trumpet of the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra; Principal Trumpet of the Norwegian Opera and Ballet in Oslo; and Principal Trumpet with Chicago Opera Theater, The American Chamber Symphony, The Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Concertante di Chicago and many ballet companies including the Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and New York City Ballet companies on tour in Chicago. As an extra and substitute performer I’ve had the great pleasure of performing with the Chicago, Grant Park, Milwaukee and Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestras as well as the Illinois Philharmonic and the Lyric Opera Orchestra. In addition, I have toured the world and recorded for Delos, Naxos, Crystal and Centaur recordings as a member of the Chicago Brass Quintet for more than 40 years, and for a number of years was very active in Chicago’s theater pits and recording studios.

What was your most memorable ESO performance?

I’m not sure I can pick a single performance so allow me to name just a few highlights.

I very much enjoyed the time we spent performing and recording Aaron Copland’s “The Tender Land Suite” and Piano Concerto for Naxos and our 2019 performances of Copland’s 3rd Symphony, Frank Martin’s Concerto for Seven Wind Instruments, Timpani, Percussion and String Orchestra, Igor Stravinsky’s Octet and anytime we’ve played Mahler.

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

I love to read all kinds of literature, and my wife Diane and I make time each day. Most days start with Tai Chi, breakfast and practicing the trumpet, and it all unfolds from there. In addition to my life as a performer, I am also the Director of Admissions for the DePaul School of Music. As you can imagine that kept me very busy in April and May. I’m very lucky that my wife is a terrific gardener and cook so my home confinement has been made a bit easier through her efforts. We try to Zoom with our son Ian, an advertising executive in Chicago, and our daughter Jennifer, an actress in Barcelona, at least twice a week.

  • Chicago Style
  • Ross with Family
  • Playing with new friends in China
  • The kids, Ian and Jenny
  • Cheers!
  • Please
  • Just fun!

Filed Under: ESO

ESO Hosts Virtual 5K “Run with Beethoven” Fundraiser

ESO 5K 2020 - #RunWithBeethoven

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is hosting a virtual 5K “Run with Beethoven” to raise funds for their Crescendo Campaign to support the operations of the ESO and ensure its continued security and vitality during and after the Covid-19 crisis. Registration will run from Monday, August 3rd through Friday, September 4th. The community is invited to run or walk their own 5K beginning Saturday, September 5th through Saturday, September 12th. 

The ESO will provide a suggested route through Elgin, or registrants may choose their own. Registrants are encouraged to post pictures or videos of themselves running the 5K under the hashtag #RunWithBeethoven. Also offered is a Beethoven playlist on Spotify, curated by Maestro Andrew Grams, to listen to while participating. See elginsymphony.org/eso5k for details.

All levels of participation are welcome. Registrants can track their time and compete with others in the ESO Strava club (info available on the registration site) or complete the 5K using the ESO map, create their own route, use a treadmill, or just register and collect a t-shirt. 

Registration

Registration is $40 and includes a free T-shirt. All proceeds will benefit the ESO’s Crescendo Campaign. T-shirts will be mailed upon completion of the challenge.

Register for the ESO 5K

Run with the ESO! Schedule of Run/Walk Events

Download this schedule of ESO Run/Walk events scheduled from Saturday, September 5 through Saturday, September 12.

Meet the Musician: Maria Arrua, Violin

Maria Arrua - ESO violin

Maria Arrua, Violin

Instrument/section:

I’m a member of the ESO’s Second Violin section.

When did you begin to play your instrument?

I started playing at age 10. My two older siblings were already taking music lessons privately, and it was my turn to choose an instrument. My mother found a violinist performing on television and called me to watch it. It was love at first sight—and sound!

Where did you study your main instrument; with whom?

I started violin at the National Conservatory of Music in Paraguay, a brand new institution at the time. I stayed there until the end of high school and moved to the United States for college. I am currently finishing my Doctorate degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where I studied with Nelson Lee and the Jupiter String Quartet.

When did you join ESO?

I joined ESO in 2017.

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

I have played with many groups in the area, including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. I am currently a member of the Northwest Indiana Symphony and Concertmaster of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra.

What was your most memorable ESO performance?

One of my favorite experiences in Elgin was at the beginning of my first season, when we performed Beethoven Symphony No. 7. I had played that symphony before, but doing it in Elgin was extremely rewarding. I felt that every musician on stage was connected to each other and on fire! It was a blast. After the concert, I was walking to my car and a group from the audience shared with me that it was their first time coming to ESO and they were astonished!

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

As I mentioned before, I come from Paraguay, a small and beautiful country in South America. I get to go visit about once a year and love sharing about it with friends who otherwise might never hear about that wonderful place.

  • Maria Arrua, violin
  • Maria Arrua, violin
  • Enjoying the Paraguayan countryside with my husband, niece and nephew.
  • Iguazu Falls, on the border with Argentina and Brazil.
  • Enjoying the company of a sweet cow on my parents’ farm in the countryside.
  • Asuncion, the capital city of Paraguay, displaying its beautiful pink lapacho trees.