Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra celebrates 50 years with concert

The orchestra will mark its golden anniversary with a special performance on April 18 at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:14pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, geometric shapes in contrasting colors, conceptually representing the joyful energy and artistic legacy of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's 50th anniversary celebration.A vibrant celebration of 50 years of musical excellence and community impact from the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra.Elgin Today

The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra (EYSO) is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special concert on April 18 at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. The event will feature performances from the orchestra's various ensembles, including the Youth Symphony, the most advanced group. Violinist Hanna Marszalek, a junior at Jacobs High School, will be the featured soloist for the evening, performing Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto.

Why it matters

The EYSO has been a cornerstone of the Elgin community for the past 50 years, providing music education and performance opportunities for hundreds of students from across the Chicago metro area. The anniversary celebration highlights the orchestra's enduring impact and its ability to inspire young musicians to pursue careers in the arts.

The details

Founded in 1976 by Robert Hanson of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the EYSO has grown to include three full orchestras, two string orchestras, a brass choir, a flute choir, a percussion ensemble, a chamber music institute, four honors chamber ensembles, and the Starter Strings program. The anniversary celebration will feature performances from each of these ensembles, showcasing the depth and breadth of the EYSO's offerings.

  • The EYSO was founded in 1976.
  • The orchestra's first public concert was held at Jacobs High School in Algonquin later that year.
  • The 50th anniversary celebration concert will take place on April 18, 2026.

The players

Matthew Sheppard

The artistic director of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Hanna Marszalek

A 16-year-old violinist and junior at Jacobs High School who will be the featured soloist with the Youth Symphony for the anniversary concert.

Clare Ollayos

A chiropractor, former ECC trustee, and current EYSO advisory board member who has been involved with the orchestra for over 25 years.

David Sands

A former EYSO student who went on to earn degrees in music performance and now works as a senior advancement manager for Apollo's Fire, a Grammy-winning baroque orchestra.

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What they’re saying

“I'm grateful for the opportunity and am looking forward to performing with some of my closest friends.”

— Hanna Marszalek, Violinist

“With the EYSO, for its students, it's not just about playing an instrument, but exploring what the music means.”

— Clare Ollayos, EYSO advisory board member

“Through the EYSO's clever programming and challenging repertoire, we learned beyond just the notes on the page. Great programming and great interpretation come from understanding the human story behind the music.”

— David Sands, Former EYSO student

What’s next

The EYSO's 50th anniversary celebration concert will take place on April 18, 2026 at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

The takeaway

The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's 50-year history is a testament to the power of music education and the impact it can have on young people's lives. The orchestra's commitment to providing high-quality programming and fostering a love of music has helped shape the careers of countless students, many of whom have gone on to pursue music professionally or apply the skills they learned to other fields.