Auditions set for Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra

On Sunday, Dec. 12, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, an in-residence ensemble in the Arts Center at Elgin Community College, will be auditioning brass, winds and percussion players for the Sinfonia Orchestra, EYSO's newest ensemble.

Sinfonia, a string orchestra for intermediate level students, will have its first performances during the spring. Daniel Beder has been selected to conduct Sinfonia, the fifth orchestra to be part of the EYSO. Specific requirements for all orchestras, including Sinfonia, can be found at eyso.org under the audition link or by calling the EYSO office at (847) 841-7700.

Interested students who are unable to attend auditions on Dec. 12 also may call the office to set up an alternative audition date that is more suitable to their schedule.

There are also a few openings in certain EYSO orchestras. To learn more about Sinfonia, schedule an audition, or to find out if there are openings in other orchestras for your instrument, visit the EYSO website at eyso.org, or call the office at (847) 841-7700.

The EYSO program offers: a focused comprehensive learning environment; performances at many venues and locations (Springfield, Ravinia, Park West, Scotland); conductors who truly care about the entire musical experience; opportunities to work with and perform with renowned musicians; and Chamber Music Institute Coaching and Concerts; and master classes. Many alumni have gone on to have successful music careers and form lifelong friendships with musicians from more than 65 communities in the Chicago area.

The yearly concert programs are created around a central theme. There also are the Maud Powell String Quartet, Sterling Brass Quintet and the Brass Choir.

The 2010-11 Season is a yearlong celebration of EYSO achieving a significant milestone: 35 years educating students and entertaining audiences. This is a great year to get involved with the orchestra as there are many special activities being planned.

The EYSO regular season includes six concert performances at the Blizzard Theatre on the main campus of ECC. In addition, the Chamber Music Institute performs each semester, the Brass Choir performs with a professional brass ensemble every spring, and the EYSO honors chamber ensembles the Maud Powell String Quartet and the Sterling Brass Quintet perform throughout the year.

EYSO is committed to making participation accessible to any qualified student regardless of financial need. Students have opportunities each year to earn part or all of their EYSO tuition. Since the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra is an in-residence ensemble at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, EYSO members who are 16 years of age at the beginning of a semester are eligible to earn college credit while playing in the EYSO.