The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra continues its 53rd season, Music Among Friends, onNovember 17, 2013 at3:00 p.m., when it brings together musical friends Spirito! Singers, The Agape Ringers and the Symphony in “Surround Sound II.” Back by popular demand, the program will be an exciting array of sonic experiences combining brass, percussion and strings with the vibrant voices of Spirito!
Singers and the sounds of handbells and chimes played by The Agape Ringers, the Chicago area’s premier handbell ensemble. Concertgoers will delight in the musical variety of pieces on the program: “Solemn Entry with Organ and Brass” by Richard Strauss; “Sound the Trumpet” by Henry Purcell; “O lovely peace” by Handel; “Toccata for Organ, Brass and Percussion” by Craig Phillips; “Triple Canzona with Brass and Strings” by Gabrieli; and “Rounds for String Orchestra” by David Diamond, which is generously sponsored by Keith and Irmgard Olson. A commissioned arrangement by David Fry of “Be Thou My Vision,” featuring voices, handbells, percussion, brass, organ, piano and strings, will thrill the audience as the entire concert space becomes a musical instrument. Mr. Fry is an Emmy-winning Chicago-based composer, arranger, producer and music educator, well-known as the arranger/composer for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Welcome, Yule! concerts since 1996.
The Agape Ringers were founded in 1992 by David L. Weck. Since that time the group has shared its music with audiences across the U.S. and in England, Canada and Puerto Rico, in over 250 live performances. The Agape Ringers have performed six times at national events of the Handbell Musicians of America and have been heard by directors around the ringing world on all promotional recordings for Hope Publishing Company’s handbell catalog since the group’s inception. Members share their skills and enthusiasm for ringing with others through workshops offered with Handbell Musicians of America and by serving in leadership roles at the local and national levels of the organization. As a community of sixteen handbell musicians, the ensemble brings over 410 years of ringing experience to this uniquely collaborative art, playing more than 200 handbells and handchimes.
Spirito! Singers is an acclaimed vocal ensemble comprised of two auditioned, ecumenical choirs of young women who have a true love of sacred and inspirational music. Bravura members are in high school; those in Regazze are fifth through eighth graders. Under the leadership of Founder and Artistic Director Molly Lindberg, Spirito! choirs appear in concert at musical venues and churches throughout the western suburbs. Spirito! seeks to develop musicianship and vocal technique through the art of sacred choral music and to inspire a lifelong commitment to share these gifts through service.
The ESO, under the baton of Music Director Stephen Alltop, will perform in the spectacular space at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, which is handicapped-accessible and offers free parking. The concert experience is enhanced by the informative and lively discussions led by audience favorite Ted Hatmaker, which take place 1 hour and 15 minutes before each concert. Subscription packages are still available with no increase in subscription ticket prices from the 2012-13 season. Patrons can choose packages of three or four concerts with savings of as much as 30% compared to single ticket prices. Subscription prices are four concerts for $92 and three concerts for $75. Individual concert tickets are $32 for adults, $30 for seniors, $9 for students, and $65 for families (up to 2 adults and three students.) There is a $5 surcharge per ticket purchased at the door. For information and to purchase tickets call the ESO Box Office at 630-941-0202 or visit http://www.esosubscriptions.org/. Join the Elmhurst Symphony as it celebrates Music Among Friends! This concert is made possible in part by grants from the City of Elmhurst, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.