ESO Announces Nonprofit Community Partnerships

September 15, 2023

Elmhurst Symphony, DuPagePads, and Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry team up to raise funds and increase awareness

The Elmhurst Symphony Association (ESA) announced today a new initiative, the Nonprofit Community Partnerships Program, which seeks to support not-for-profit organizations serving the City of Elmhurst and DuPage County communities. Two nonprofit organizations, DuPagePads and Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry, have joined with the Elmhurst Symphony to pilot this program.

Both nonprofit organizations will be featured at upcoming concerts of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, and will have the opportunity to raise funds by splitting a portion of ticket revenue. DuPagePads will partner with the ESO to launch the 2023/2024 concert season at the orchestra’s ‘Elgar’s Enigma’ concert on September 30th, 2023, at 7:00 PM. Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry will be featured at the ESO’s concert on November 12, 2023, at 4:00 PM, entitled ‘The Ukrainian Symphony’.

“The Elmhurst Symphony’s mission is to entertain and enrich our community through live orchestral music, and our duty to the community extends beyond the concert hall,” said ESA Executive Director Gregory Hughes. “This new Nonprofit Partnership Program allows us to bolster and support the remarkable work being done in our community by DuPagePads and the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry, helping both organizations to raise funds and build awareness for their programs. And we hope to do even more good in the community by working with additional nonprofit partners throughout the concert season.”

The Elmhurst Symphony Association will raise awareness and support for participating nonprofits by featuring them in marketing and promotional materials, providing a platform to share their mission and work with existing patrons of the Symphony, and splitting a portion of ticket sales revenue from concerts.

“We are excited to partner with the ESO to help end homelessness and provide more resources for families and neighbors without a safe place to call home,” remarked Chad Pedigo, Vice President of Development with DuPagePads. “This partnership promises to be an affordable and enjoyable evening of music directly supporting DuPagePads efforts to provide safety, shelter, and more resources for anyone in need across the western suburbs.”

“The timing could not be better,” added Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry Executive Director Kathie Watts, going on to add that “the Pantry is celebrating our 40th Anniversary this year, and our friendship with the Elmhurst Symphony will be a huge help as we go into the holiday season.”

Patrons may support DuPagePads by purchasing tickets to the Elmhurst Symphony’s Elgar’s Enigma concert on September 30th online at link.elmhurstsymphony.org/dupagepads. To learn more about DuPagePads, visit DuPagePads.org.

Patrons may support the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry by purchasing tickets to the Elmhurst Symphony’s The Ukrainian Symphony concert on November 12th online at link.elmhurstsymphony.org/EYFP. To learn more about the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry, visit eyfp.org.

To learn more about the Elmhurst Symphony Association and the Nonprofit Community Partnership Program, visit ElmhurstSymphony.org/community. To purchase tickets to an upcoming Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra concert or make a charitable contribution, visit ElmhurstSymphony.org.

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ESO Announces Winner of the 2025 Stanger Young Artist Competition

May 12, 2025

The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to announce that Tong-Bai Deng , pianist, has been named the winner of the 2025 Stanger Young Artist Competition. The announcement was made live at the conclusion of the Rising Stars of Stanger concert on Saturday, May 10, 2025, held at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. Deng earned top honors for his electrifying performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Movement IV , captivating both the audience and judges with his technical command and passionate artistry. The concert featured three finalist performances by exceptional high school musicians: Tong-Bai Deng , piano — Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (Mvt. IV) Sarah Gomez , Sam Deverman , Elyse Schlesinger , and Julian Kolthammer , horns — Robert Schumann’s Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra Neal Eisfeldt , violin — Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto (Mvt. I) The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Assistant Conductor Eli Chen , also performed Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Movement I , rounding out a dynamic and celebratory afternoon of music. A panel of esteemed judges— Andrea Lafranzo , Michael Lewanski , and Peter Lipari —was embedded in the audience to evaluate each finalist on musicianship, interpretation, and stage presence before announcing the winner live from the stage. “This competition is one of the most inspiring events we host all year,” said Michael Surratt, Coordinator of the Stanger Young Artist Competition. “We are so proud of all the finalists and extend our warmest congratulations to Tong-Bai Deng for his extraordinary performance.” 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).