Going to the symphony conjures images of men in tuxedos and women in elegant gowns sitting in an ornate theater and listening to classical music.
That is not the case with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
While the quality of the music is superb, the variety of shows and the setting are more inviting to all walks of life. Consider it the “People’s Symphony.”
“We really want to connect with everybody and provide something that everyone should enjoy,” says Marc Thayer, ESO’s new chief executive officer. “It’s your orchestra. It’s everyone’s symphony.”
The 2021-22 season, which opened in October, features genres for just about everybody. Performances include works by classical conductors such as Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Beethoven, as well as symphonic takes on contemporary tunes, everything from the film scores of John Williams to the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper.
In between are other surprises, like a holiday spectacular with the Elgin Master Chorale. Mariachi music is the subject of a late-April concert, coming on the heels of a show filled with old American songs. In June, the symphony returns with its new “on the farm” series that was a hit this past year.
Concerts take place in the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, however, the orchestra will also take their John Williams and Sergeant Pepper concerts to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, and the Holiday Spectacular will head to Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake.
“We want people to come and have a good time,” Thayer says. “We don’t want cost or clothing to be a barrier. We are a musical organization that does all kinds of music, and I think there is something everyone will enjoy.” ❚
To purchase tickets for Elgin Symphony Orchestra, call (847) 888-4000 or visit elginsymphony.org.