The Evanston Symphony Orchestra is set to make waves in the upcoming 2024-2025 season with a series of diverse and engaging concerts that promise to captivate audiences of all ages. From a festive holiday celebration to an exploration of cross-cultural musical exchanges, the orchestra continues to push the boundaries of classical music performances under the skilled baton of Music Director Lawrence Eckerling. Join them for a journey through music that celebrates life, legacy, and the seamless blending of cultural influences.

A Symphony of Seasons: Evanston Symphony Orchestra's 2024-2025 Musical Journey

The Evanston Symphony Orchestra invites you to experience a series of profound musical performances in 2025, featuring Brahms' German Requiem and the American-French Connection. Led by Music Director Lawrence Eckerling, these concerts promise to capture the hearts of classical music enthusiasts. From the soulful compositions of Johannes Brahms to the cross-cultural harmonies of Debussy, Ravel, Gershwin, and Copland, this year's lineup offers a rich tapestry of sound that celebrates both comfort and the evolving dialogue between American and French music.

Exploring Musical Masterpieces: Evanston Symphony Orchestra's 2025 Concert Series

Join us for a profound musical journey as the Evanston Symphony Orchestra commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich's death with a stirring performance of his Symphony No. 5. This concert, taking place at 2:30 pm on Sunday, February 2, 2025, promises an afternoon of lyrical beauty and powerful emotion, capturing the essence of Shostakovich's work, which many interpret as a complex blend of despair and glory.

Under the baton of Lawrence Eckerling, Music Director, the program will also feature Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s "Variations on a Rococo Theme" with the talented Christine Lamprea on cello, bringing to life the elegance and charm of Tchaikovsky's composition. The concert will open with Jonathan Bailey Holland's "Motor City Dance Mix," a vibrant homage to Detroit that fuses classical, hip-hop, jazz, and more, showcasing Holland's innovative musical vision.

This special event will be held at the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, located at 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, with additional seating at Evanston Township High School Auditorium, 1600 Dodge Avenue, Evanston. Free parking is available for attendees.

Tickets are available for advance purchase at $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $5.00 for full-time students. At the door, prices are $39 for adults, $35 for seniors, and $5.00 for full-time students. Children 12 and younger can attend for free but must have an assigned seat. For ticket purchases and inquiries, please call 847.864.8804 or email tickets@evanstonsymphony.org.

Enhance your concert experience by attending the Musical Insights Free Pre-Concert Preview on Friday, February 9th, at 1:30 pm. This event offers an insider’s look at the concert program, featuring discussions with Maestro Lawrence Eckerling and our soloist, providing deeper understanding and appreciation of the music to be performed.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the power and beauty of Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, and Holland, performed by the Evanston Symphony Orchestra. Reserve your seats today for an unforgettable musical experience.

EPSG:4326

 Shostakovich 5th

Northwestern University

Don’t miss enjoying these favorite Yule festivities with your family and friends … and you can take advantage of our special rates for a package of 2 adult tickets and 3 children’s tickets.

Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert 2024

Evanston Township High School

Join the Evanston Symphony Orchestra as they open their 78th season with a captivating concert on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2:30 pm. This highly anticipated event, titled "ENIGMA VARIATIONS," promises an afternoon of exceptional music under the baton of Music Director Lawrence Eckerling at the prestigious Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, located at 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston.

The concert will feature the return of the extraordinary violin soloist Maya Anjali Buchanan, who previously enchanted ESO audiences with her performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. This time, she will bring to life Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto, a masterpiece that incorporates themes from Korngold’s famous film scores into a breathtaking composition. The program also includes Jessie Montgomery’s powerful "Soul Force," Ludwig van Beethoven’s "Overture to King Stephen," and is highlighted by Edward Elgar’s "Enigma Variations."

Ticket prices for advance sales are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $5.00 for full-time students. At the door, prices are $39 for adults, $35 for seniors, and $5.00 for full-time students. Children 12 and younger can enjoy the concert for free but must have an assigned seat. For ticket purchases and inquiries about children’s tickets, please call 847.864.8804 or email tickets@evanstonsymphony.org.

Enhance your concert experience by attending the Musical Insights Free Pre-Concert Preview on Friday, October 20, at 1:30 pm. This event, held at Merion's Crystal Ballroom at 529 Davis St, Evanston, offers an insider’s tour of the music on the program, led by Maestro Lawrence Eckerling. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the power and beauty of live orchestral music. Secure your tickets now for an unforgettable afternoon with the Evanston Symphony Orchestra.

Enigma Variations

Antonin Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance Op. 46 No. 1 and his sublime and joyous Symphony No. 8 surround two exhilarating French works. The first is Henri Tomasi’s Saxophone Concerto performed by rising saxohponist Steven Banks, and the other is Paul Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

Soaring Sax and Dvořák’s 8th

An intriguing concert of music in film, hosted by WFMT’s LaRob K. Rafael. The concert centerpiece is George S. Clinton’s stunning The Rose of Sonora, narrated by Rafael with violin soloist Holly Mulcahy and the Allegrezza singers. From the melancholy of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings and sweetness of Ennio Morricone’s Cinema Paradiso to the boisterous American in Paris by George Gershwin, this program runs the gamut of emotions.

Moving Movie Music

This one-hour concert is the ideal introductory orchestral concert for children 5–13 years, but will also be fun for parents and grandparents. The concert is designed to show the wonderful story telling nature of music.

Enjoy the ever popular The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas, and also pieces like the Superman March by John William, and the delightful Mozart piece for strings only — Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

Young Persons’ Concert

This lovely concert features three of the Soviet Era’s greatest composers. We open with four dances from Aram Khachaturian’s ballet Gayane, including the justly famous Sabre Dance. Dmitri Shostakovich wrote his Piano Concerto No. 2, a jubilant romp, for his 19-year-old son and piano student, Maxim. Rick Ferguson is our featured soloist.

Russian & Armenian Dances

Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert

The ESO’s 77th anniversary season opens with two of the symphonic canon’s greatest works. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, the “Jupiter,” was his final symphony, and the pinnacle of his symphonic output. A synthesis between classical and baroque eras, it is considered one of the supreme achievements of the Viennese Classical Period. Johannes Brahms’s passionate Symphony No. 2 journeys from complete serenity and melancholy to culminate in triumphal joy.

Symphonic Masterworks

We will be partnering with Baker Demonstration School, which will provide fun child activities before and during the concert, including an instrument petting zoo.

Open Air Pops Concert

Gillson Park

Join the Evanston Symphony Orchestra for a profound musical experience on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 2:30 pm, as they present Brahms’ German Requiem. This concert, under the baton of Music Director Lawrence Eckerling, promises to be a moving tribute to one of the great choral sacred works in the repertoire. The performance will take place at the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, located at 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, offering attendees a chance to immerse themselves in the rich sounds of classical music in a premier venue.

For this special concert, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra is joined by the North Shore Choral Society, led by Music Director Julia Davids, to bring Johannes Brahms’ masterpiece to life. Composed after the death of his mother in 1865, Brahms’ German Requiem is noted for its departure from the traditional Latin requiem by focusing on providing comfort and solace to the living. This theme of consolation is beautifully conveyed through the music and lyrics, making it a unique and touching piece.

Adding to the richness of the program, the concert will also feature two vocal compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: the exhilarating Exsultate Jubilate, performed by soprano Josefien Stoppelenburg, and a duet from Don Giovanni, where Stoppelenburg is joined by bass-baritone Evan Bravos. These pieces promise to showcase the exceptional talents of the soloists and add a diverse musical texture to the afternoon’s performance.

Tickets for the concert are available for advance purchase, with prices set at $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $5.00 for full-time students. At the door, prices will be slightly higher. Children 12 and younger can attend for free but must have an assigned seat. To ensure everyone’s comfort and safety, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra has made it clear that masks, vaccinations, and testing are no longer required for attendance. However, they kindly request that anyone feeling unwell stay home to prevent the spread of illness.

This concert is not just an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking music but also a chance to be part of a community coming together to experience the power of live performance. Don’t miss out on this exceptional musical event that promises to be both uplifting and unforgettable.

Brahms' German Requiem

Join the Evanston Symphony Orchestra for a profound musical experience on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 2:30 pm, as they present Brahms’ German Requiem in collaboration with the North Shore Choral Society. This concert, under the baton of Music Director Lawrence Eckerling, promises to be a moving rendition of one of the great choral sacred works in the repertoire, composed by Johannes Brahms after the death of his mother in 1865. Unlike traditional Latin requiems that focus on judgment and salvation, Brahms’ masterpiece, sung in German, seeks to offer solace and comfort to the living.

The performance will be further enriched by two vocal compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, featuring the exhilarating Exsultate Jubilate and a duet from Don Giovanni, "La ci darem la mano." These pieces will showcase the talents of soprano Josefien Stoppelenburg and bass-baritone Evan Bravos, adding layers of emotional depth and musical brilliance to the afternoon.

The concert will take place at the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, located at 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, with additional seating available at the Evanston Township High School Auditorium, 1600 Dodge Avenue, Evanston. Free parking is available for attendees.

Tickets are available for advance purchase at $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $5.00 for full-time students. At the door, prices increase slightly to $39 for adults, $35 for seniors, and remain $5.00 for full-time students. Children 12 and younger are admitted for free but must have an assigned seat. For ticket purchases and inquiries, please contact 847.864.8804 or email tickets@evanstonsymphony.org.

Enhance your concert experience by attending the Musical Insights Free Pre-Concert Preview on Friday, April 5, at 1:30 pm. This event, held at Merion's Crystal Ballroom, 529 Davis St, Evanston, offers an insider’s look at the music and composers featured in the concert. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served.

Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the powerful and comforting music of Brahms’ German Requiem, performed by the Evanston Symphony Orchestra and the North Shore Choral Society.

Brahms’ German Requiem

Join the Evanston Symphony Orchestra for a captivating afternoon of music at the "June 2025 Concert" featuring "THE AMERICAN-FRENCH CONNECTION." This concert, under the baton of Music Director Lawrence Eckerling, promises an exploration of the profound musical links between iconic French composers Debussy and Ravel, and American legends Gershwin and Copland. The performance will highlight the influence of French masters on American music and vice versa, showcasing pieces that exemplify this cross-cultural exchange.

**Date and Time:**  
Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 2:30 pm

**Venue:**  
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston  
Evanston Township High School Auditorium, 1600 Dodge Avenue, Evanston  
*Free parking available at both locations.*

**Program Highlights:**  
- George Gershwin's vibrant "Cuban Overture"  
- William Grant Still's poignant "Mother and Child" for string orchestra  
- Maurice Ravel's "Piano Concerto in G Major," featuring the talented Ko-Eun Yi on piano  
- Claude Debussy's ethereal "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun"  
- Aaron Copland's evocative "Billy the Kid Suite"

**Special Pre-Concert Event:**  
Musical Insights Free Pre-Concert Preview on Friday, May 31, at 1:30 pm. Join Maestro Lawrence Eckerling and soloist Ko-Eun Yi for an engaging discussion about the concert program. This event is free and open to the public at Merion's Crystal Ballroom, 529 Davis St, Evanston. Light refreshments will be served.

**Ticket Information:**  
Advance Sales: $35 Adult, $30 Seniors, $5.00 Full-Time Student  
At the Door Sales: $39 Adult, $35 Seniors, $5.00 Full-Time Student  
Children 12 and younger are admitted for free but must have an assigned seat.  
For tickets, please call 847.864.8804 or email tickets@evanstonsymphony.org.

**Health and Safety:**  
As of now, masks, vaccinations, and testing are not required to attend. Attendees are kindly asked to stay home if feeling unwell.

Don't miss this extraordinary musical journey that bridges the Atlantic, connecting the rich traditions of American and French music. Secure your tickets today for an unforgettable experience with the Evanston Symphony Orchestra.

Evanston Symphony Orchestra

Apr 6, 2025

Brahms' German Requiem

Apr 6, 2025

Brahms’ German Requiem

Jun 8, 2025

The American-french Connection

Feb 2, 2025

Shostakovich 5th

Dec 15, 2024

Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert 2024

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