The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra will hold an open house on February 20
The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra invites interested student musicians to attend the annual Open House on Sunday February 20th.
EYSO, led by Artistic Director Matthew Sheppard, provides opportunities for fourth-year college instrumentalists.
Held in conjunction with Sunday rehearsals, the open house allows students and families to learn about EYSO’s education and performance experience.
It will be from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive.
Student musicians, playing their instruments from age two to 12, can find a place to grow in one of six large ensembles, three small ensembles and more than 20 chamber music groups.
For 46 years, EYSO has prepared students for a journey of research, creativity and lifelong growth.
Through rigorous methods of inquiry and “expert opinion”, EYSO not only offers unrivaled performance opportunities, but also a comprehensive learning environment.
The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, one of the state’s premier youth orchestras, has been named 2021 Illinois Youth Orchestra of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.
It has nearly 300 students from 70 communities in Kane, DuPage, DeKalb, Lake, McHenry, Kendall, Will, Cook and LaSalle counties.
Registration for the Open House is suggested, but not required. Drop-ins are welcome.
Interested students and families can visit www.eyso.org/openhouse to plan their schedule for the day and register.
Students unable to attend the February 20 open house can email [email protected] to arrange a rehearsal on another Sunday or attend a second open house scheduled for April 10, from 3 p.m. 30 to 7 p.m. at the ECC Center for the Arts.
Additionally, local school orchestra and orchestra teachers can schedule a free, live or virtual interactive presentation by Artistic Director Matthew Sheppard and a group of chamber music musicians so their students can experience the EYSO’s investigation and “expert comment” methods.
EYSO is now accepting audition applications for the 2022-23 season. Auditions will be held Thursday through Sunday, May 26-29, at Elgin Community College. Students can explore the audition process, learn about audition requirements, and register to audition at www.eyso.org/join-eyso. EYSO is one of five ECC resident ensembles offering quality programs for young artists.
The Youth Symphony, EYSO’s flagship orchestra for high school and very advanced students, attracts members from a wide geographic area.
– Courtesy of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
The theme for EYSO’s 46th season is “Flipped”, with a mission to shake things up: seek new perspectives and glean new ideas from different viewpoints. The season kicked off in November with concerts on the theme “Negative Spaces”. That continues next month with the “For Every Action” concerts at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 at the Elgin Community College Arts Center.
The season concludes with “Through the Looking Glass” on Sunday, May 8, with three performances.
To purchase tickets, visit tickets.elgin.edu or call the box office at (847) 622-0300. Live stream tickets will be sold on EYSO.org.
EYSO’s mission is to create a community of young musicians, enriching their lives and those of their families, schools, communities and beyond, through the study and performance of excellent music.