Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra Presents "Heroic Beethoven" November 11

The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Stephen Alltop, presents the second concert of the 2012-13 subscription season when Chicago Symphony Orchestra trumpet star John Hagstrom and Stanger Young Artist Audition winner Susie Lee perform in “Heroic Beethoven” at 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst.

The ESO welcomes the return of Elmhurst native and member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra John Hagstrom, whose stellar playing will shine in Hummel’s brilliant “Trumpet Concerto in E-flat.”   Mr. Hagstrom, who maintains an active schedule of outreach and solo performances, will participate in THE ESO FANFARE PROJECT, in which young area brass players prepare a commissioned fanfare composed by Terry Everson to play alongside ESO musicians at this concert.  Stanger Audition winner Susie Lee performs a movement of “Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor” by Saint-Saëns, and Beethoven’s incomparable music will add heroic highlights to the day, beginning with “Coriolan Overture” and concluding with the imperial “Symphony No. 3 in E-flat (Eroica).”

This concert is underwritten with a generous gift from Robert and Marcia Goltermann.

John Hagstrom has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's trumpet section since 1996, when he won the audition for fourth trumpet.  A year later, he won the second trumpet position, carrying on the tradition of brass section teamwork for which the CSO is famous. Previously, he was principal trumpet of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra in Kansas and served as assistant professor of trumpet at Wichita State University.      

Hagstrom is passionate in his support of music education, helping initiate Dream Out Loud, a music education advocacy partnership which provides resources to elementary through high school students designed to support every student’s interest in playing an instrument.  He leads the trumpet studio at DePaul University, where he is professor of music.  As an Elmhurst native and York High School graduate, Hagstrom grew up listening to the CSO. Five years of study at the Eastman School of Music were followed by six years in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C., where he spent three of those years as principal trumpet. His many solo appearances with the band included four national concert tours and the Camp David wedding of (Sr.) President Bush's daughter, Dorothy. Recordings featuring John Hagstrom include his performance of the Bellini Oboe Concerto and the Sachse Concertino with the Chicago Brass Choir, and he can also be heard as lead trumpet on Daniel Barenboim's recording on the Teldec label entitled Tribute to Ellington.  

Susie Lee, 16 years old and a junior at Neuqua Valley High School, has won awards in numerous competitions and was invited to Carnegie Hall as a winner of New Praise Society Piano Competition in 2005. Susie also appeared as a guest soloist in the Young Steinway Concert Series in 2011. In March, 2012, Susie was one of the 7 finalists for the Crain-Maling Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Audition, which is held once every three years.  This provided her with the chance to perform at Symphony Hall in Chicago, which was an experience she treasures greatly.  Susie is now the pianist for her piano trio, Argento, and she also plays the flute and is a jazz pianist. Outside of music, Susie is a volunteer for the Fine Arts Healing Program at Edward Hospital in Naperville where she performs for cancer patients and their families. She is also a competitive swimmer and enjoys reading and playing tennis during her free time.  Susie is not sure what role music will play in her future, but she would like to play piano throughout her life.

Following the concert the ESO is hosting a pizza party with food provided by Roberto’s.  The menu includes pizza, side dish, dessert and beverage at a cost of $12 for adults and $7 for children 10 and under.  Reservations by phone (630-941-0202) or mail (ESO, PO Box 345, Elmhurst, IL, 60126) are due no later than November 5.

Audience members are invited to learn more about the music at a free concert preview with Ted Hatmaker at 1:45 p.m. in the upper level Gathering Room of the church.  Concert doors and the box office open at 2:15.  The church is handicapped-accessible and offers free parking.

In response to current economic conditions, the ESO has reduced single ticket prices to 2005 levels for this season!  Tickets cost $29 for adults and $7 for students, and the newly reinstituted senior ticket is $27.  Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are $25 per ticket.  A single concert family ticket for $65 will admit two adults and up to three students.  Purchase your tickets by visiting the ESO web site www.elmhurstsymphony.org or calling the Symphony box office at (630) 941-0202.  Subscriptions for the 2012-13 season are still available. “Build your own” subscription plans of three, four or five concerts offer ESO members a substantial discount over single ticket prices.   

 This concert is made possible in part by grants from the City of Elmhurst Tourism Fund, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.