Elgin Symphony Orchestra

As good as the CSO practically but much more reasonable $ and free close parking without the Chicago traffic.
The 2014 – 15 season has ended and the 2015 – 16 will open in September. Tonight it’s Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, Ode to Joy (ode to the Enlightenment) and wonderful as expected.
Come for the wonderful music and meet the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, staff and friends afterward for a pint of ale at the nearby Elgin Public House. A very nice night out with all the accouterments that I enjoy..

Just saw Disney magical production
And it was great!
Nice surprise
Guest at the end! Got a price
Ticket
Reduction in living social website but ticket
Prices were still very reasonable for the entertainment factor!!! Beverages sold in the lobby and you could bring them into the theatre!!!

So yeah, you live way in the western suburbs and love some orchestra. What is a person to do when traveling to Symphony Hall in Chicago seems like a mission to Mars and costs a ton of hard earned money relative to your budget? (If you’re rich and can afford to limo in and out so you don’t have to deal with traffic and parking good for you.)
Anyhow, you could hit the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Give it a try. Less of a trek, a bit easier on the wallet and really pretty good.
Is it the CSO? No. The CSO is the absolute bomb. If it’s not raising the hair on your arms a few times you’re probably wasting your time and maybe the orchestra is not your thing.
But if you’ve been to the CSO and know you do get a charge out of it, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra will be worth your time.
Our experience was great. There are restaurants in the immediate area if you’re so inclined, parking is easy and the performance was really good. Easy in, easy out, 20 minutes from home. Can’t beat that.
So, there are a lot of scenarios I can see this working:
1. You actually like the orchestra. And good for you if so. It’s good for your brains.
2. It’s a great date. The show isn’t that long and you can head out afterwards.
3. Your wife will love it, so it could get you out of the doghouse or earn you a chip.
4. Girls night. I can see a group going.
5. Boys night. Nahhh, who’s kiddin’ who, hit a baseball game.
Anyhow it’s pretty good stuff out in the western burbs. We’ve only been once, but will be going again.

Wow! I’m totally in love with the Elgin Symphony!
I have lived in metropolitan areas from NYC to LA to DC and have enjoyed the top Symphonies and Philharmonics that the US has to offer. Elgin is right up there with the best.
The musicians are passionate, highly technical and completely engaging.
I attended their January program that included Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and their February with Beethoven’s Fantasia (which featured the Elgin Chorus). I was moved to tears by the latter number.
Not only are they a fabulously talented group of musicians, but the ESO itself has a great sense of humor, producing a video shown after intermission that had the entire audience laughing and looking forward to the 2014 season that they were previewing.
The ESO family is a very welcoming one, that has «meet the musicians» pub events after concerts and is a delightful group of fascinating, cultured art lovers that you do not usually find in midwest suburbs. The people of the Fox Valley are immensely lucky to have access to this local wonder, with tickets starting at $ 28 — an evening at the symphony is affordable to just about anyone.
If you haven’t been yet you are seriously missing out!

We went to see/​hear the ESO’s tribute to Hollywood and I give the performance an «A» for effort and overall production a «C».
Performing scores from Whiting, Gershwin, Kern, Korngold & Addinsell, music director Robert Hansen, in my opinion, needed to step aside for some of the arrangements, especially the more contemporary «Jazz’ arrangements.
The Brass/​Woodwinds & «Rhythm Section» (percussion) tried desperately to play the parts like the studio musicians of Los Angeles, but left short what makes hollywood movie score’s great; the fire! I can only point the finger at Hansen who is apparently, as most conductors, classically oriented, which was great for the Robin Hood, Warsaw Concerto, Gone With The Wind… scores, but needed more of a Quincy Jones, Patrick Williams or a host of other conductors more acclimated to Hollywood «Swing» movie music, to director this wonderful group of musicians.
Half the night, the A/​V department? had a slide and video presentation, on a drop down screen, hanging over the heads of the orchestra with either a picture of Fred Astaire or George Gershwin illuminated (yawn)! It certainly would have been nicer to see a more professional slide presentation of actual movie photos that they were actually performing. John Ryan call me; I’ve got ideas for next year (
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The most interesting part of the evening was when Hansen and the ESO performed to an actual movie sequence of Robin Hood, starring Erroll Flynn and Singin’ In The Rain, starring Gene Kelly. This is not an easy feat and was performed almost perfectly. Guest performer, Kevin Cole, performed the vocal part of Gene Kelly and performed an amazing job on «Concerto in F major/​Gershwin.
Being a musician in the modern world and knowing studio musicians from hollywood and seeing first hand a live hollywood orchestra probably gives me higher expectations.
I’m not familiar with the ESO’s other capabilities, but I think there is room for improvement with their Hollywood Night.