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Evanston Symphony Orchestra

Lawrence Eckerling, Music Director

Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert

Sunday, December 13, 2026 — 3:00 pm

Make sure your holiday season starts with the best holiday event in Evanston!

Special rates for a family package of 2 adult tickets and 3 children’s tickets.

Buy Single Advance Tickets Buy Family Package Tickets

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very special

A Very Special Concert:
An inclusive holiday celebration

Sunday, December 13, 2026 — 12:30–1:15 p.m.

$5 per adult. Persons under 18 are free. Phone reservations required.

Join the Evanston Symphony Orchestra for an inclusive celebration of Holiday music. Our shortened holiday concert welcomes those who vocalize, move, and have diverse ways of experiencing music.

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Musical Insights

Free Pre-Concert Preview Series!

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Enhance your concert experience with a sneak preview — Composers come alive and their passions take center stage when ESO Maestro Lawrence Eckerling takes you on an insider’s tour of the history and highlights behind the music. Get a chance to see and hear our guest soloist for each concert!

Merion’s Crystal Ballroom

529 Davis St, Evanston.
FREE and open to the public.

Please RSVP to 847-570-7815.

Light refreshments will be served and casual tours of apartments will be available after the program.

Orchestra News

Peter Schmeiser
The view from the back of the stage

Jennifer and Peter Schmeiser moved to Evanston from Florida in 2017 for better jobs, better weather, and, as it turns out, a better orchestra!

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Evanston Symphony Orchestra offering special holiday show for people with special needs, by Chris Gillock

Dec. 14 performance will welcome those who vocalize, move and have different ways of experiencing music

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So Long, John Russell—and Thanks!

Retired ESO timpanist John F. Russell was born in ­Gloucester, England. His parents worked in a nursing home there ­until an American relative in Cicero offered his father work and housing.

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Musical Notes

Andrea Musolf, Cello, 10 Seasons

Day Job: I work at The Society of Thoracic Surgeons as the Editorial Manager for The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, a monthly peer-reviewed journal.

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Richard Holbrook, Viola, 30 Seasons

Day Job: Before retiring: At UIC as assistant dean in the School of Basic Medical Sciences and later part of the committee to establish the Chicago Technology Park.

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Jeanine Casler, Violin, 10 Seasons

Day Job: I teach courses in literature, writing and communication at Northwestern.

Most memorable performance with ESO: The Mother’s Day concert when Larry played Rhapsody in Blue while conducting.

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