Elmhurst Symphony Launches Season With Sold Out Concert

The Planets & Star Wars fills the house as music lovers of all ages turned out for the first ESO concert of the season — a milestone at their Elmhurst CRC home

ELMHURST — The Elmhurst Symphony Association (ESA) is proud to announce the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra’s performance of The Planets & Star Wars, which occurred the evening of October 5, 2024, was sold out hours before the downbeat. “Our home venue seats 836,” said ESA Executive Director Gregory Hughes, “and we sold 836 tickets.”

“What a great way to start this season!” remarked ESO Music Director and Conductor Stephen Alltop. The energy and enthusiasm coming from the orchestra seemed to be matched by the excitement of the full audience, noted the Maestro. “Great orchestral music being played and enjoyed in the best possible way.”

“I am very proud of all of us at the Elmhurst Symphony,” Board President Linda Kozak remarked. Kozak, who also performs as a cellist with the orchestra, went on to add that the event proved a fantastic way to introduce new people to the symphony. “The atmosphere on stage and in the audience was electric. We could all sense this was a special night.”

Could Not Have Had A Better Time

The all-orchestral concert toured the cosmos, launching with Gustav Holst’s The Planets and concluding with John Williams’ Star Wars Suite, and was attended by music lovers of all ages. 100 children's tickets were sold, a figure remarkable in the symphony orchestra business where demographics tend significantly older. Concert-goer Aashish Dalal commented succinctly, “Fam and I loved it!”

“It was a birthday present for my fiancé,” added first-time attendee Katherine Truman. “Could not have been more impressed or had a better time. Thank you so much!”

A Notable First

The concert was also a notable first for the Elmhurst Symphony: The first sold-out event at the ensemble’s home venue at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. “The orchestra is so grateful and proud to be here at Elmhurst CRC,” said Hughes. The orchestra began performing at Elmhurst CRC shortly after the church was constructed in 2009. “It’s such a welcoming space for our community of patrons, and a nice place to enjoy a concert.”

Ticket sales data revealed that 41% of concert-goers were attending for the very first time. “We hope to see the many first time attendees again,” added Alltop, “as we have many more thrilling moments in store for them this season.”

Season subscribers were the next largest group in attendance, comprising 31% of the audience. Repeat single-ticket buyers made up 24%, while corporate sponsors and volunteer ushers were allocated the precious few remaining seats. The Saints, Volunteers for the Performing Arts generously provides volunteer ushers for ESO concerts.

Tickets for the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra’s next event, Beethoven, Brahms, and Barton Pine on Sunday, November 10 at 3:00 PM, are on sale now online or by phone at (630) 941-0202, though Hughes added “those tickets are selling quickly, too.”

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