It’s a First – Elgin Choral Union Performs at EYSO Concert

A Musical Celebration of Sacred Places and Sacred Spaces.

On Sunday, March 21^st 2010, the Elgin Choral Union (ECU) will perform at an Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) concert, Sacred Spaces: Spiritual Music for Orchestra, for the first time in its history.

The collaboration between these two organizations occurs during the 7:00 p.m. concert. Parts of A German Requiem of Johannes Brahms will be performed by EYSO and ECU featuring the well-known and accomplished baritone soloist Peter van de Graaff will be conducted by EYSO Music Director Randal Swiggum.

Elgin Choral Union (ECU), under the direction of Andrew Lewis, is the oldest performing arts organization in the Fox Valley. Over 100 voices combine to bring song to life at performances throughout the year. This non-professional singing organization works with several other performing arts groups in the region.

ECU has distinguished itself as a unique opportunity for non-professional singers to engage in ambitious programming, performing master choral works and contemporary compositions, and commissioning several world premieres.

ECU has distinguished itself as a unique opportunity for non-professional singers to engage in ambitious programming, performing master choral works and contemporary compositions, and commissioning several world premieres.

Additional performances of the evening will include the EYSO Brass Choir with Conductor Jason Flaks, the Sterling Brass Quintet, and viola soloist Teresa Goh, Winner 2010 EYSO Young Artists Concerto Competition, of Saint Charles, Illinois.

The 4:00 p.m. concert will feature the EYSO Prelude Orchestra with Condutor Daniel Beder and Philharmonia with Conductor David Anderson performing several pieces including Bach’s Elgar Fantasia and Fugue in C Minor and pieces from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

The Prelude Orchestra will be performing music spanning the last 4 musical eras, including Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 and a minimalist piece by Philip Glass,” stated Daniel Beder, Prelude Orchestra Conductor.

Both performances of Sacred Spaces: Spiritual Music for Orchestra will take place in the Blizzard Theater at Elgin Community College Arts Center on the main campus of ECC, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Tickets can be purchased for $23, $18 for seniors, and $12 for students by calling the box office at (847) 622-0300, or online at www.tickets.elgin.edu.

4:00 p.m. Concert Repertoire:

The Arethusa by Turlough O”Carolan (arr. D. B. Monday)

Company, mvts. 1 & 2 by Philip Glass

Hansel and Gretel, Evening Prayer by Englebert Humperdinck (arr. Del Borgo)

Symphony No. 29, mvt.1 by Mozart

Fantasia and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 537 (Op. 86) by Bach (trans. Elgar)
Enigma variations, Nimrod by Elgar
L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1, mvt. IV Carillon by Bizet
Firebird, Berceuse and Finale by Stravinsky

7:00 p.m. Concert Repertoire:

Sonata pian'e forte by Gabrieli

Fugue in G minor (the “Little”) by J.S. Bach/arr. Stokowski

Von Gott will ich nicht lassen (“From God I will not depart”) by J.S. Bach/ arr. Swiggum

Der Schwanendreher by Paul Hindemith

Requiem Mass by Giuseppe Verdi

blue cathedral by Jennifer Higdon

All Night Vigil by Sergei Rachmaninoff

A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms