2026 Silver Measure Awards

April 23, 2026

Elmhurst Symphony Announces 2026 Silver Measure Award Winners

The Elmhurst Symphony Association (ESA) announces today the winners of the Silver Measure Award, the Elmhurst Symphony’s highest honor for outstanding service to the organization. The 2026 winners include Board Member Mary Grether (pictured), Principal Oboe Naomi Bensdorf Frisch, and Dr. Michael Surratt, the current Stanger Young Artist Competition Coordinator.

The Silver Measure Award, established in 1984, is the Elmhurst Symphony Association’s highest recognition. Its purpose is to recognize outstanding volunteer service to the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra (ESO) exemplified by major contributions of personal effort and involvement in its programs and the community over an extended period of time.

This year the ESA recognizes three individuals who have shown a long-time, passionate commitment to the Symphony. Award recipients will be honored at the Triple and the Titan concert on April 25, 2026.

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ESO Announces Winner of the 2026 Stanger Young Artist Competition

By Abigail Karr • May 21, 2026

The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to announce that Ella Wimbiscus , cellist, has been named the winner of the 2026 Stanger Young Artist Competition. The announcement was made live at the conclusion of the Rising Stars Concert & Competition concert on Saturday, May 16, 2026, held at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. Wimbuscus earned top honors for her lyrical rendition of Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B Min., Op. 104, Movement I , performed alongside the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Assistant Conductor Eli Chen. The concert featured three finalist performances by exceptional high school musicians: Ella Wimbiscus , cello — Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, 1st Mvt Francesca Gaus Ehning , oboe — Clemence de Grandval’s Oboe Concerto, Op. 7, Mvt III Adrian Gonzalez , piano — Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 Mvt I The Stanger Young Artist Competition is an annual tradition that supports and celebrates the next generation of classical musicians by offering high school performers the opportunity to appear as soloists with a professional orchestra. It is in part sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst , whose generous and ongoing support is gratefully acknowledged. For more information on the competition or upcoming performances, please visit ElmhurstSymphony.org or contact the ESO office at 630-941-0202 (Monday-Friday 10AM-3PM).