Elgin Symphony Orchestra

The award-winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra offers exceptional live music experiences and brings world-renowned soloists and musicians to Elgin, Illinois. A six-concert classics subscription series and several special event concerts are held yearly at the Hemmens Cultural Center and additional venues throughout the Elgin area. The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is committed to making live orchestra performances accessible to everyone in the community through: • Free community concerts • Performances at hospitals, hospices, and senior residences through its Musicians Care program • Supplemental music education programs in local elementary schools through the ESO’s Adopt-A-School program and youth concert experiences through the Ainsworth Concerts for Youth • Educational Listener’s Club lectures at libraries • Free tickets to classics performances for children age 17 and under with a paid adult • Affordable concert pricing • Free tickets for first-time guests of the ESO Founded in 1950 as a community orchestra, the ESO became a professional ensemble in 1985 in good part due to the leadership of the late Margaret Hillis, who served as the ESO’s music director from 1971 to 1985. Hillis was one of the first females to break through the male-dominated world of conducting and is credited with being the impetus behind the creation of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Association, the formation of the ESO’s volunteer core – the Elgin Symphony League, and the start of the ESO’s commitment to music education and enrichment for youth. Chad Goodman was named Music Director in May 2023. Previous Music Directors included: Douglas Steensland (1950-1971) Margaret Hillis (1971-1985) Robert Hanson (1985-2011) Andrew Grams (2013-2021) The Illinois Council of Orchestras has named the ESO Orchestra of the Year four times (1988, 2005 and 2016). The ESO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more visit