The Music Director of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Stephen Alltop, was recently named Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras for his “commitment to musical excellence, innovative programming, and collaborative efforts with other local music groups.”  Cited in his nomination were concerts from the ESO’s 2010-11 Golden Jubilee season, in which Maestro Alltop added visual excitement to the opening concert with slides depicting Mount St. Helens before, during and after its eruption to accompany Symphony No. 50 by Hovaness (Mount St. Helens), and evoked the Symphony’s history by playing a piece first performed in the orchestra’s inaugural season.  In the second concert of the season he collaborated with the acclaimed vocal ensemble Spirito! in a glorious surround sound performance as organ, brass, strings and vocalists were arranged on and around the stage and throughout the audience.  A Baroque concert was performed at the Peabody Mansion at Mayslake, and in other concerts the ESO was joined by the York High School string players, the Elmhurst College Choir, Elmhurst Choral Union, and renowned violinist Ilya Kaler to provide a season of wide appeal and excellence.  The Elmhurst Symphony salutes Dr. Alltop and extends its congratulations and appreciation to him for this well-deserved recognition and his musical leadership.