ESO Presents - Appalachian Spring

December 3, 2025

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra Celebrates America at 250 with Appalachian Spring

Maestro Stephen Alltop leads the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra in an all-American Program 


Elmhurst, IL -  The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with an all-American program on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM  at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. The performance will include Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring as well as works by contemporary American classical composers Eric Ewazen, Jessie Montgomery, and James Stephenson.


The afternoon will begin with a Pre-Concert Talk at 1:45 PM to offer insight into the music and enhance the concert experience for attendees.


Program Highlights:

  • Aaron Copland   Appalachian Spring
  • Eric Ewazen – Sinfonia for Strings
  • Jessie Montgomery – Strum
  • James Stephenson –  Persephone


Who’s Performing:

  • Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
  • Stephen Alltop, Music Director and Conductor


What’s Interesting:

This all-American program celebrates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with one of the best known American composers, Aaron Copland, along with works by contemporary American artists. 


Ticket Information:
For tickets, first-time visitor guides, FAQs, and further concert details, please visitwww.ElmhurstSymphony.org or call the Elmhurst Symphony office at 630-941-0202, M-F 10 AM-3 PM.



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).
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