20-21 AND LEGENDS Stories, fairy tales, myths, and legends: these are how we make sense of the world around us. In EYSO's 45th season, explore these myths and legends through music as we build connections between ourselves and the wider world. THE ELGIN YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS AN IN-RESIDENCE ENSEMBLE AT THE ECC ARTS CENTER EYSO.ORG 20-21 FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR We can be Heroes, just for one day. ~David Bowie, Heroes This has been a year of heroes. Nearly every aspect of our lives has been recast in new and challenging contexts, transforming everyday experiences and tasks from ordinary to extraordinary—and putting the spotlight on the heroes all around us. Often, we romanticize heroes as charismatic adventurers, faultless and pure leaders, and larger-than-life characters. These heroes, these myths and legends, provide us with inspiration, comfort, and meaning by guiding us through societal mores and expectations. They help to HEROESELGIN YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA frame our beliefs and guide our consciences, offering clear-cut examples of right and wrong, of true and false—of what it means to be a hero. But reality is rarely so simple. This year has shown us the importance not only of heroes, but of heroism. Heroism is complex, challenging, and messy. It isn’t one-dimensional, nor is it reserved only for mythological characters and historical figures. But with that challenge comes opportunity: the opportunity to be a hero, moment by moment, even just for one day. In our final concert cycle of Myths & Legends, EYSO students explored this dirtier, messier idea of heroism through diverse and wide-ranging repertoire. They took the expert noticer approach to examine their music, and to peel back the superficial layers to discover—and create— deeper meaning. Across EYSO, students grappled with thought-provoking questions. How is the glorious and majestic March of the Meistersingers complicated by the context of Richard Wagner’s legacy? Who are your personal heroes—and what makes them heroic? (The answer was never “a cape and superpowers.”) What does the idea of heroism mean to you as a person, and to us as a society, and how can you live as a hero, as David Bowie sang, “for ever and ever…or just for one day?” As we turn the page on our 45th season Myths & Legends, we are fortunate to be in the presence of heroes each and every Sunday: heroes like our students who overcame tremendous challenges to show up week after week and study, perform, learn, grow, and laugh together. And heroes like you, our supporters, who have kept the fires of curiosity burning brightly all year long. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us—and we can’t wait to see you for another incredible year of music and learning next season. P.S. Curious to learn more aboutbt nextt? season? FlipFl to the back of the program. MAY 9, 2021 20-21 FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR We can be Heroes, just for one day. ~David Bowie, Heroes This has been a year of heroes. Nearly every aspect of our lives has been recast in new and challenging contexts, transforming everyday experiences and tasks from ordinary to extraordinary—and putting the spotlight on the heroes all around us. Often, we romanticized heroes as charismatic adventurers, faultless and pure leaders, and larger-than-life characters. These heroes, these myths and legends, provide us with inspiration, comfort, and meaning by guiding us through societal mores and expectations. They help to HEROESELGIN YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA frame our beliefs and guide our consciences, offering clear-cut examples of right and wrong, of true and false—of what it means to be a hero. But reality is rarely so simple. This year has shown us the importance not only of heroes, but of heroism. Heroism is complex, challenging, and messy. It isn’t one-dimensional, nor is it reserved only for mythological characters and historical figures. But with that challenge comes opportunity: the opportunity to be a hero, moment by moment, even just for one day. In our final concert cycle of Myths & Legends, EYSO students explored this dirtier, messier idea of heroism through diverse and wide-ranging repertoire. They took the expert noticer approach to examine their music, and to peel back the superficial layers to discover—and create—deeper meaning. Across EYSO, students grappled with thought-provoking questions. How is the glorious and majestic March of the Meistersingers complicated by the context of Richard Wagner’s legacy? Who are your personal heroes—and what makes them heroic? (The answer was never “a cape and superpowers.”) What does the idea of heroism mean to you as a person, and to us as a society, and how can you live as a hero, as David Bowie sang, “for ever and ever…or just for one day?” As we turn the page on our 45th season Myths & Legends, we are fortunate to be in the presence of heroes each and every Sunday: heroes like our students who overcame tremendous challenges to show up week after week and study, perform, learn, grow, and laugh together. And heroes like you, our supporters, who have kept the fires of curiosity burning brightly all year long. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us—and we can’t wait to see you for another incredible year of music and learning next season. P.S. Curious to learn more about next season? Flip to page _____. MAY 9, 2021 2021 Dear Friends, YOUTH ORCHESTRA According to Maya Angelou, “a hero is really any person intent on making this a better place for OF THE YEAR all people.” That made sense to me even the first time I read it years ago. But I certainly understand it differently, 2015, 2005 and more deeply, today. Sure, some acts of heroism are shinier than others, more dramatic. But are PROGRAMMING they more important? OF THE YEAR The season we bring to a close with today’s concerts has truly given us the need for, and appreciation of, heroes. And at EYSO, we’ve all gained a deeper, more personal understanding of what it takes to 2008 be a hero, and what it can mean to us. CONDUCTOR Some heroes in the past year have received much well-deserved recognition, whether serving on the OF THE YEAR front lines as health care providers or behind the scenes working to develop vaccines. Others have continued in less visible, but no less important, roles ranging from educators to grocery store clerks. 2007, 2000 They all made a difference. YOUTH ORCHESTRA And if you agree with Maya Angelou’s definition of a hero, our halls have been filled with them this year! OF THE YEAR Our EYSO team has demonstrated amazing creativity in how they have consistently delivered in-person learning through the study of music all season. And they have done that in the face of 2001 constantly changing guidelines and restrictions, not to mention the emotional challenges of working ELGIN IMAGE in this environment. I don’t expect I’ll ever thank them enough, but I’ll try. AWARD Most importantly, our students and families have risen to the occasion. Choosing to stick with something you know is important in your life, or the life of your child, often involves some level HONORARY BOARD of sacrifice. But his year, the obstacles were far more challenging. And EYSO students and families OF DIRECTORS faced, and defeated, those obstacles as a community. Gwen Armwood Making the world a better place, in any way, is laudable. And when the doing involves music, it’s also Cathy Berk beautiful. Thank you for your support through this year, and for joining us today to enjoy the season finale of our 45th season. Harry & Phyllis Blizzard Cindy Bravos With gratitude, Betty Brown Bill Delp Shelby Keith Dixon Joyce Dlugopolski K. Eric Larson Tana Durnbaugh Executive Director Carl Flaks Did you know that more than 60% of the cost to educate an EYSO student is underwritten with gifts Donna & Jeff Gillen from public and private foundations, businesses, and generous people like you? You can make a life- changing investment in a young student musician when you give to EYSO. For instance, a gift of $50 Murna Hansemann helps replace lost ticket sales revenue from in-person concert performances like today’s. Visit eyso. Rich Jacobs org/give and thank you! Marty Jacobsen Robert McBride BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARTISTIC STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Clare Ollayos Sarosh Saher, Matthew Sheppard, K. Eric Larson, President Artistic Director Executive Director Claire Replogle Joel Cohen, Zachary Bowers, Margaret Bean, Joann Reynolds Vice President and Percussion Director Consulting Accountant Dr. Pat Rieger, Treasurer President Emeritus Tracy Dullea, Kari Christensen, Edward Snoble, Conductor Director, Development & Tom Roeser Community Engagement Secretary Roslyn Green, Andrew Sosnowski Mary Brophy Chamber Music Joshua Escobar, Susan Starrett Rehearsal Assistant Noel Childs Institute Director Barbara Thomases, Aaron Kaplan, Madilyn Greiner, Secretary Emeritus Thomas Duncan Conductor Operations Manager Becky Vento Neha Myers Anthony Krempa, Emily Krasinski, Angela Wifler William Nicholson Conductor Membership Coordinator & Music Librarian Diane Stredde Dan Sartori, FOUNDING CONDUCTOR Conductor Matt McNeil, Peter Van Nortwick Rehearsal Assistant Robert Hanson Allison Winsor Thomas Squires, Rehearsal Assistant CONCERT Judy Van Dusen, INFORMATION Archivist Emi Vo, Office Manager EYSO.ORG Skyler Wuestenfeld, Membership Assistant Concert Information 20-21 HEROESELGIN YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Stories, fairy tales, myths, and legends: these are how we make sense of the world around us. In EYSO’s 45th season, explore these myths and legends through music as we build connections between ourselves and the wider world.