The Elmhurst Symphony welcomes you to be a part of our musical adventures that hopefully will “capture your heart and touch your soul”. It is our wish that you will enjoy each concert and look forward to feel the sensual power and emotional impact of wonderful symphonic music at each and every concert.

History
The Elmhurst community  has a long and proud tradition of coming together to enjoy well-performed symphonic music by its volunteer community musicians. The generosity of spirit and encouragement of the community to encourage and support its symphony as members of the audience, and with the army of passionate volunteers to perform the myriad of tasks each and every year and to provide the funds to make quality symphonic music programs affordable to everyone.

The origin of our community’s organized musical activity may go back to the 1920’s and has evolved with the desire of its volunteer musicians to continually improve their skills. From 1959 to 1961 the community musicians evolved from the Elmhurst Community Orchestra to the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra led by its first Music Director John Lazic. The first performance of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra was November 19, 1961.

The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is truly blessed with the help and encouragement of Elmhurst College. In its formative years, Dr. Robert Stanger who was the President of the college, also served as Board President of the Elmhurst Symphony from 1968-1972.

The last thirty years has seen more growing diverse and complex musical challenges that the Elmhurst Symphony successfully accomplished and has invited more and more talented professional musicians to be a part of our rich symphonic traditions.

We are especially proud of the contributions of Dale Clevenger (1981-1995) as Music Director to the growth of the ESO. The growing reputation of superior quality performances of the Elmhurst Symphony has expanded enormously with the nationally renown leadership of Dr. Stephen Alltop who is now in his 14th season as the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director.